Explore the Cairns Waterfall Circuit in Tropical North Queensland

After you’ve covered the ground between Cairns and the Millaa Millaa Falls you’ll find yourself at the start of the Cairns Waterfall Circuit. The Millaa Millaa Falls cascade down into a waterhole where you can enjoy a tranquil swim. On the shores of the waterhole is a grassy picnic area, to relax on and have a bite to eat. Make sure to bring your camera along, as this natural spectacle is one of Australia’s most photographed waterfalls. You might even see a platypus! Travellers are well looked after at the Millaa Millaa Falls with a nearby carpark, coach parking and a public toilet. So, you’ll be able to conveniently park your motorhome while you go and explore.

The Millaa Millaa Tourist Park sits just out of the rainforest highland, amongst the clean and cool mountain air. If you’re not visiting the waterfall, you can keep yourself busy swimming in the pool, going for walks or exploring the area. Park your motorhome here for a night or two. Choose from either a powered campsite or unpowered campsite, and take advantage of the campsite facilities.

Just a short drive from the Millaa Millaa Falls you will find the spectacular Zillie Falls. The viewing platform at the base of the falls is a great spot to stand and watch the cascading water and rapids. Zillie Falls is a good spot for a picnic lunch or to just soak in the sights and relax. One thing to watch out for is the colony of flying foxes that can be seen from the carpark, a real treat to watch as they glide through the treetops.

When it comes to accommodation near Zillie Falls, there are a few options. You can base yourself at the Millaa Millaa Tourist, the same as the day before. Alternatively, you can park your motorhome at the Malanda Falls Caravan Park. This campsite offers both powered campsites and unpowered campsites to campervan users and you have the option between a slabbed site or a grass site. It’s a great place to take the kids due to the resident animals such as a pony, miniature goats, alpaca, chickens and ducks, sure to keep the whole family busy.

On day three you can explore the beautiful Ellinjaa Falls. This waterfall flows over a series of lava columns and drops into a great swimming spot. There’s a 200-metre walkway down to the base of the waterfall where tourists quite often have the luck of seeing turtles and platypus swimming in the pools below. One more thing to look out for is the little ledge behind the waterfalls, perfect for perching on and taking in the scenery.

Nearby you’ll find the popular Atherton Tablelands Holiday Park. Sitting within the lush rainforest, the eco-certified holiday park is a lovely way to escape the tropical heat. This is the perfect place to park your motorhome for the night. Cool off in the pool or the Balinese cabana, or just relax in the shade of the trees. It’s one way of feeling like you’re in a whole new country. The campsite has both unpowered campsites and powered campsites for campervan travellers to choose from.

Enjoy a short 18 minute drive to the next destination, Nandroya Falls. The Nandroya Falls can be found along the Nandroya Falls Circuit Walk, part of a network of trails in the Wooroonooran National Park. From the Henrietta Park Campground, the track to the falls goes for 6.6 kilometres and splits off 700 metres in. You can opt for the longer and more scenic route to the falls if you want to take your time.. The picturesque view is worth the short hike in and well worth the swimming and relaxing to come.

The Henrietta Creek camping area is a great option for accommodation. This campsite is more on the rugged side, giving you a full experience of a night in the Australian rainforest. Make sure to book a spot before arriving, as it’s not the largest of campsites and is certainly a popular area. They only provide unpowered campsites here, so remember to have your torches charged.

The Babinda Boulders are an iconic Cairns attraction. Surrounded by rainforest, this swimming hole oasis is perfect for afternoon dips in the cool water to combat the tropical heat. People are often amazed at how cool the water is at the Babinda Boulders, even during mid-summer. There are great guided tours to some secluded rock pools at the Babinda Boulders that are definitely worth looking into. One spot to go to is one of cultural significance to the local Aboriginal peoples - the Devil's Pool. The Devil’s Pool is home to old tales often told by the Aboriginal people, but also home to a great spot for a swim. It is 1.3 kilometres downstream from the Babinda Boulders picnic area.

The Babinda Boulders Free Camping Area is the perfect place to park your motorhome for the night. There is a free 72-hour stay so you can even extend your trip if you feel like you haven’t had enough of the scenery. There are large but limited sites and no bookings required, so it works on an honest first-in-first-served system. There is no power here either so make sure to save some of that battery in your torches.

The Josephine Falls and swimming hole are ranked amongst some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Tropical North Queensland. Visitors swim in the crystal clear waters, relax on the sandy beach and gaze up at the tree canopy above. Just remember to swim where it’s safe, and not in the restricted swimming areas. The waterfall is just a 700 metre walk in from the carpark, through the beautiful rainforest.

Park your motorhome at The Bramston Beach Campground for the night. Enjoy a quiet getaway and unwind by the white sand beach overlooking the sparkling water. The campground has both unpowered campsites and powered campsites, along with barbecue facilities. The Bramston Beach Cafe is just a short walk down the road. Here you can snap up some basic supplies, as well as some ice and bait and have an offshore fish.

After a week or less of touring these amazing natural wonders of Tropical Northern Queensland, the sight of Cairns might be just what you’re after. There’s plenty more fun to be had exploring Cairns. Whether you want to snorkel the magnificent Great Barrier Reef or explore the Kuranda Rainforest, you’re in for a treat. If you’d rather a taste of city life, visit some of Cairns’ best restaurants for a well-earned meal. Head upstairs to Rocco’s Rooftop Bar & Restaurant for a drink with a fantastic view over the city and coastline of Cairns, or to Ochre for a meal, the city’s most highly awarded restaurant and catering company. Cairns is a big city placed perfectly between the marine phenomenon that is the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforests of Tropical North Queensland, so there is no shortage of things to do. Check out our guide for more amazing things to do during your stay in Cairns.

Now all that’s left to do is return your maui motorhome to the Cairns Branch, which can be found near the Cairns Airport.

Start your waterfall circuit with maui

The waterfall circuit is a must-do when you’re travelling the tropical north in a motorhome. It’s full of unforgettable and breathtaking sights that you truly can’t see anywhere else in the world. The tropical weather makes you feel as if you’re in Hawaii, but the mountains around you are a reminder of exactly where you are, North Queensland. The waterfall circuit is best done when you have a sense of freedom, and that’s exactly the feeling when driving in a maui motorhome, you have the freedom to stop where you want to carry on when you want to.

Book your maui motorhome online and pick it up from your local branch to start your adventure.