Complete waterfall guide to visiting Davies Creek Falls in Davies Creek National Park near Mareeba. Includes how to get here from Cairns & the Tablelands, what to expect and photos of the famous Davies Creek Falls infinity pool!
Davies Creek Falls is one of the largest waterfalls near Cairns in terms of height. Located on the other side of the Lamb Range near the Tablelands town of Mareeba, Davies Creek Falls is a bit of a stretch from Cairns but easily worth the visit!
What’s great about this waterfall is that it only takes a very short hike to reach the infinity pool with views of the water flowing down huge granite boulders into the Davies Creek National Park gorge.
I’ve visited this waterfall several times for a swim on my way back to Kuranda and after my hike up to Kahlpahlim Rock and Turtle Rock. In this quick guide, I aim to share with you everything you need to know to make a trip out to Davies Creek Falls based on my experience.
I'm Olly, a full-time traveler for the past 5 years. I visit every destination I write about & handpick all recommendations.
Where is Davies Creek Falls?
Davies Creek Falls is located in Davies Creek and Dinden National Parks in Far North Queensland. The waterfall is an approximate 1-hour drive from Cairns on the Kennedy Highway.
- Google Maps Pin: "Davies Creek Falls" - Mareeba, QLD
How to Get to Davies Creek From Cairns
To get to the waterfall from Cairns, I suggest heading north to Smithfield and taking the winding Kennedy Highway up past Kuranda and the famous Barron Falls. It's quite a scenic drive along the way and there are plenty of things to do in The Tablelands, so make a day trip out of it!
Continuing past Kuranda, once you're approaching Davies Creek on the Kennedy Highway, you'll need to keep an eye out for a sign on the left side of the road. Take this left turn and from here, it's only a short 10-minute stretch of dirt road which winds up the gorge and up the mountain towards the waterfall. on Davies Creek Road.
This road is unsealed, but you can easily make it in a 2WD as it's quite well-graded, although a bit bumpy.
Tip: If you're driving up to Davies Creek Falls from Cairns, I recommend also stopping by Emerald Creek Falls nearby.
Car Rentals in Far North Queensland
Cairns is one of the most popular travel destinations in Australia and car rentals quickly book out!
I've missed out on cars before & recommend booking well in advance. I always use DiscoverCars as they compare the widest range of rentals across dealerships in the Far North.
Alternative: Choosing the Best Organised Waterfall Trip From Cairns
Unfortunately, there aren't any tour companies that offer trips out to Davies Creek Falls. This might be due to it being a little bit further off the beaten track than the rest.
However, if you find yourself in Cairns without a car but still keen on checking out the epic waterfalls and swimming holes, I recommend jumping on one of the many quality waterfall tours to the Tablelands.
Below I've linked to what I consider to be the best and most cost-effective waterfall tour from Cairns. It includes a stop at the famous Josephine Falls and the world-renowned Millaa Millaa Falls, to name a few.
What to Expect at Davies Creek Falls
Arriving at the waterfall, you'll immediately see the signposted walking track adjacent to the car park.
As soon as you begin your short descent toward the waterfall, you'll see a small detour that leads to a viewing platform. From here, you can get some epic views of the larger section of the waterfall and the flowing rivers at the bottom of the gorge.
Also, a little further up the track towards the waterfall are some good spots to sit and watch the falls from above.
In the dry season, it's also possible to swim in the many swimming holes a little further up the creek. There are signs to keep a lookout for changes in water flow. I'm sure it'd be very dangerous in tropical downpours. It's best to keep an eye out on the weather and don't swim if the stream is too strong.
Get Clean Drinking Water on Your Hike
I take the Grayl GeoPress Purifier Bottle on every hike and use it as my go-to source for filtering water all over the world. I've even used it to drink tap water in India!
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The Davies Creek Falls Infinity Pool
On calmer days, the best spot to swim is a deep hole just on the edge of the top waterfall level. It has a large overhanging tree and plenty of space to lay out a towel and enjoy the Tropical North Queensland weather.
This is known as the Davies Creek Falls infinity pool. It's one of the most unique waterfall pools in Far North Queensland as this time, the pool is above the falls!
It can be a bit sketchy on the edge, so make sure to use proper judgement and don't blindly follow what you read online!
Another infinity pool waterfall nearby: Windin Falls
Best Time to Visit Davies Creek Falls
Davies Creek Falls flows year-round. However, it'll be a different beast in the wet season when compared to the dry.
Due to Cairn's tropical climate, it sees most of its rainfall between December and March. In these hotter months, waterfalls and natural rivers become a haven to escape the tropical humidity.
However, this waterfall can get pretty powerful and is considered dangerous in the wet season. When I visited this waterfall in the dry season, it had a good combination of flow and safe swimming spots.
FAQ About Visiting Davies Creek Falls
Davies Creek Falls is about an hour's drive from Cairns. Most of the road is sealed, but you'll hit a gravel stretch near the end. A 4WD vehicle is a good idea for that part.
No, entrance is free and the parking is also free.
Yes. However, you'll want to be careful when swimming in the infinity pool near the big drop. Also, make sure to monitor weather conditions.
I recommend packing swimmers and a towel. You might also want to bring some mosquito or but repellent as the big horse flies can get very annoying.
Cairns Accommodation Guide – Where to Stay
Visiting Cairns? The best places to stay are near the Cairns Esplanade or on the sunny Northern Beaches. Below are the top 4 options for varying budgets.
Alternatively, check out my Port Douglas accommodation guide for more ideas on where to stay in Far North Queensland.
1. Crystalbrook Riley Luxury
If luxury and location are what you're after, you can't beat this 5-star resort right in the heart of Cairns Esplanade.
2. Fitzroy Island Resort Mid-Range
Sleep out on one of the picturesque Great Barrier Reef Islands! Staying at Fitzroy often works out cheaper than staying in town & means you get more time to explore the reef, beaches, and rainforest walking trails.
3. Gilligan's Backpackers Budget
The best backpacker option for a great vibe in Cairns. Great place to meet like-minded travelers & features a pool, air-con rooms, a huge shared kitchen, & a great common area.
4. Pepper's Beach Club Palm Cove
Stay at the best beach resort in the heart of Palm Cove on Cairns's Northern Beaches!
Planning a Trip to Cairns
Still in the planning stages of your trip to Cairns and the Tropical North? Here's a quick list of essential travel resources that I use to plan and book all my travels around the world independently.
Hotels: Travelers will find the best hotel deals in Cairns and Port Douglas by booking online on Booking.com or Expedia. I recommend using the map feature to find the best places to stay.
Hostels: When it comes to scoring epic deals on hostels and cheap stays your secret weapon is Hostelworld. If you're traveling to Cairns to meet people, use the “See Who's Going” function.
Travel Insurance: HeyMondo is my top recommendation for travel insurance for Cairns and the Wet Tropics. They've got your back with comprehensive coverage, from unexpected flight hiccups to those "oops" moments. Click the link to get 5% OFF your policy.
Internet & Connectivity: Stay connected as soon as you land in Queensland with Airalo's eSIMS. Aussie sims will work. But if you're coming from overseas, I'd download their app and grab an eSIM before you set foot on Australian soil.
Tours & Unique Experiences: Use GetYourGuide and Viator to plan ahead and lock in those must-see experiences & tours in Cairns. So, whether you're exploring the Great Barrier Reef or the Daintree Rainforest, these two sites have got you covered.
Car Rental: Don't overpay for a rental at the airport. Compare rental car prices across all dealerships in Cairns and Port Douglas. Use DiscoverCars to choose the perfect ride for your journey, whether it's a compact car or an SUV for off-road adventures.
Transportation: Public transport is limited to the natural attractions around Cairns and its best to use tour companies or rent a car. However, if you're arriving at the airport, or need a transfer between Cairns and Port Douglas, use the popular Cairns & Port Douglas shuttle.
To learn more about independent travel to anywhere else in the world, read my ultimate step-by-step guide on how to plan a trip.
More Cairns Travel Guides and Adventure Inspiration
I really hope that you found this quick guide to visiting Davies Creek Falls useful. If you enjoyed a swim and liked the epic infinity pool at Davies Creek Falls, make sure to check out some of my other articles. I've got tons of information on some of the best spots including some hidden gems I'm sure you'll love.
- 60+ Things to do in Cairns - my ultimate Cairns and FNQ travel resource covering the best activities, hidden gems, and unmissable experiences.
- Cairns Tours - my roundup of the best tours you can book in Cairns and FNQ, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Daintree Rainforest.
- Cairns Packing List - tips on what to pack for a trip to Far North Queensland.
- Top Things to Do in Port Douglas - a comprehensive guide to the sleepy Far North Queensland town of Port Douglas.
- Epic 5-Day Cairns Itinerary - my suggested adventure itinerary if you only have 5 days to spend in Cairns.
- Cape Tribulation Travel Guide - discover where the rainforest meets the reef at one of my favourite places in Australia.
- Cairns Hiking Guide - a huge list of epic rainforest, waterfall, and lookout hikes in Cairns.
- Cairns Waterfalls - a huge list of epic waterfalls that I've visited in Cairns and the surrounding tropics.
- Cairns Islands - discover my favorite Great Barrier Reef islands near Cairns and Port Douglas.
- Magnetic Island Travel Guide - your ultimate resource for visiting "Maggie" near Townsville.
- Best Things to do in the Atherton Tablelands - my guide to one of Far North Queensland's most underrated adventure destinations.
- Accommodation Resources: Discover where to stay in Cairns, the best hotels in Port Douglas and my Cape Tribulation accommodation guide.
