A complete guide to visiting Curtis Falls at Mt Tamborine. Everything you need to know about the waterfall and the Lower Creek Circuit walk.
The Curtis Falls track at Mt Tamborine National Park is a lush waterfall hike that is easily accessible and features arguably the most beautiful waterfall in the area. Visitors will have the option of taking the short 500 metre walk to the falls or continuing on an enjoyable creek loop known as Lower Creek Circuit.
Walking the Curtis Falls track is a great way to soak in a slice of the unique rainforest environment of Mt Tamborine National Park. Huge flooded gums erupt skywards from the narrow trail as you hear the tranquil sounds of rainforest birds and clean flowing water. The main event, Curtis Falls, is a must-see for anyone making the trip up to Tamborine Mountain.
Where is Curtis Falls in Mt Tamborine?
The Curtis Falls track is located in the township of Tamborine Mountain in the Gold Coast hinterland. This region is approximately 40 KM from Surfer's Paradise (50 minutes). The trailhead includes a decent-sized carpark and toilet facilities.
How to Get to Curtis Falls
Any trip up to Mt Tamborine involves climbing one of the three steep and winding roads up the ancient volcano. If you're coming from the Gold Coast, I'd recommend taking Henri Robert Drive as it's one of the most scenic roads I've witnessed in the region.
I'd recommend using Google Maps to navigate to the pin above, which will lead you to the walking track car park. There are about 20 car spots here and you can park on the street adjacent to the car park too if you need to. Keep in mind that Curtis Falls is one of the most popular falls in Mt Tamborine, so you can expect it to get a little busy on weekends.
About Curtis Falls and Lower Creek Circuit
- Hiking Distance: 3.5 k loop (550 m to Curtis Falls)
- Duration: 1-hour return (10 minutes to Curtis Falls)
- Difficulty: Easy
Curtis Falls at Mt Tamborine features two tracks, the Curtis Falls Track and the Lower Creek Circuit. Both are accessible from the same trailhead. However, the Lower Creek Circuit begins as an additional creek loop that finishes back near the waterfall.
Walkers continue back on the same track from the waterfall to the car park whether they decide to take the extra circuit loop or not.
Both tracks are very easy to navigate, with only a few sections of climbing man-made steps. However, the end of the Lower Creek Circuit loop involves a shallow creek crossing. Don't worry though, you can hop over the rocks if you don't want to get your feet wet.
The tracks feature-rich wet eucalypt forest and dense ferns surrounding the creek. Keep an eye out for basking turtles on the rocks on a sunny day, as well as the elusive platypus who are known to live in the creek. In addition, some of the giant gum trees that shoot up on the track are some of the tallest I've ever seen and made the walk for me.
Curtis Falls Track
The Curtis Falls Track trailhead is easy to spot from the car park. There are also arrow markers with distance estimates along the track. So it's impossible to get lost. Although the track can get muddy following rain, you can easily walk to the waterfalls in your thongs.
Following a short distance into the walk, the path splits in a fork with a signpost. Turn left here and continue for 105 metres to the falls or turn right to continue on the 1.6 KM Lower Creek Circuit Loop.
Also Nearby: Hiking to Twin Falls Waterfall in Springbrook National Park
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What to Expect at Curtis Falls Mt Tamborine
Curtis Falls is a very scenic little waterfall with a decent freshwater pool underneath. There is a large decked viewing platform in front of the falls. Here you can snap some photos and enjoy the view. Curtis Falls is about 12 metres tall and can vary from a gushing torrent to a gentle trickle, depending on the season.
It's also possible to walk around this platform to the left to get behind Curtis Falls. However, there is a sign asking visitors to stay on the platform as to not impact platypus and glowworm habitats.
Can You Swim at Curtis Falls?
Curtis Falls was known as a great spot to swim at Mt Tamborine since there is an approximately 1-metre deep pool below it. However, there are now signs asking visitors to refrain from swimming at the falls.
Related: Wallaman Falls - Tallest Waterfall in Australia
Lower Creek Circuit
Return back to the fork 105M from the waterfall. Here, you'll have the option to continue on the loop or return on the same track to the car park. The Lower Creek Circuit is a scenic walk following the rocky banks along the winding creek for about 1.5 kilometres.
If you're chasing some rainforest photo opportunities, there are some scenic bridges and incredible towering gums on the track that make it worthwhile to continue on.
More Epic Travel & Adventure Guides For Australia
I hope you enjoyed this quick guide to visiting Curtis Falls Mt Tamborine. For more epic travel and adventure guides from Australia featuring lookouts, waterfalls, hikes and more, head to the blog or check out one of the links below.
Also, if you have any questions or updates about Curtis Falls or the Lower Creek Circuit walk, please let me know in the comments!