Queen Mary falls is a spectacular 40 metre waterfall accessible from the Spring Creek Road 10 kms from Killarney. Viewing the falls requires only a short stroll down a well maintained track or you can also do a slightly longer 2 km circuit down to the base of the falls.
Queen Mary Falls seen from the base
Most people visit the falls as part of a scenic drive that goes from Boonah up over The Head to Killarney. It is also accessible from Warwick if you are driving by that route.
The scenic road over The Head leads to Queen Mary Falls
In front of the falls is a great picnic area that includes both outdoor and covered picnic tables, wood and electric barbecues and toilets. If you are looking for a place to stop and stretch your legs, then this is the perfect place.
The Picnic Area at Queen Mary Falls
There are two interconnected walks to the falls. You will see three entrances to the walks from the picnic area. I recommend taking the middle one which is labeled Cliffs Circuit. This takes you along one side of the cliffs around the falls. The views from this walk are not spectacular however this path will link to the Queen Mary Falls Circuit just before the bridge that crosses Spring Creek above the falls. If you take either of the other 2 entrances you are just on the 2 km Queen Mary Falls Circuit.
Queen Mary Falls
If you walk across the bridge you will quickly come to another viewing platform with the best views of the falls. If you don't want to walk further then you simply backtrack the way you came.
The viewing platform at Queen Mary Falls
You can continue to walk on the Queen Mary Falls Circuit which goes down to the base of the falls. There is a little pool here and local kids are known to swim here.
The track at the lower part of the falls as seen from the viewing platform
The way back up requires walking up some stairs. However if you don't hurry anyone can do it. While staying at the Queen Mary Falls Caravan and Tourist Park opposite we would do this walk every morning to work up an appetite for breakfast. Louise, one of the Caravan Park owners, does it twice every morning.
The walk is a little bit steep, but easy enough to do if you are not rushng
The best time to visit is in the middle of the day to late afternoon when the sun is hitting the waterfall. In the morning the waterfall is in shadow from the cliffs. In the later afternoon, the sun is once again too low to light the waterfall.
Queen Mary Falls in the late afternoon
Across the road at the
Queen Mary Falls Caravan and Tourist Park is The Falls Cafe. This great country cafe serves filling but delicious meals and great coffee and cake. I am not joking about the filling part as we ordered the little breakfast last time we were there because we were not hungry enough for the big breakfast and still had far more food than we could eat. The cafe also sells gifts and other products.
The Falls Cafe is across the road from the Queen Mary Falls Picnic Area
Also in front of the Falls Cafe is a bird feeder that attracts rosellas and other birds. You can buy bird feed from the cafe for $2 a bag and they will eat right out of your hand.
The Rosellas at The Falls Cafe will eat out of your hand
Overall this is a great little walk. While not a destination in itself if you live in Brisbane, it is a nice place to stop if you are passing through on the Spring Creek Road or a beautiful Diversion if you are in Warwick, Stanthorpe or Killarney.
