How to Visit Mungalli Falls in the Atherton Tablelands

Complete waterfall guide to visiting Mungalli Falls in the Atherton Tablelands above Cairns in Far North Queensland.

Mungalli Falls is a great waterfall located in the Atherton Tablelands, approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes from Cairns. There are multiple levels to explore, with the tallest having a 75-meter cumulative drop. This makes it one of the largest in the area!

However, this one is a little different from the other waterfalls near Cairns since it is located within a Wilderness Retreat Complex. Don’t worry though, the owners of the land allow visitors to check out the waterfall free of charge!

How to Get to Mungalli Falls

In order to get to Mungalli Falls, you're going to need your own car or transport. If you're driving from Cairns like we did, it's a fairly long, 130-kilometer drive through the Atherton Tablelands. Note that there are no public buses to this region from Cairns.

On the Palmerston Highway, you'll need to turn right onto Junction Road. This is a dirt road that continues for approximately 2 kilometres before reaching the Mungalli Falls Outdoor Education Centre.

You are free to leave your car in the car park and walk through the wooden-decked cafe to the road leading to the falls. Immediately on your right, you'll see the first waterfall cascade.

Keep walking down this road for 15 minutes, passing some balance obstacles until you reach a dead-end cul-de-sac. Here you'll see a sign indicating the direction toward the main level of Mungalli Falls.

What to Expect at Mungalli Falls

By far, the most impressive level at Mungalli Falls is the bottom level. While it's not a vertical drop, the flow can create a powerful scene, especially in heavy rainfall.

It's said that the cumulative fall of this section is 75 meters. However, it looked a little shorter, perhaps 60 meters would be a little more accurate. Regardless, it's an impressive waterfall and definitely worth a visit if you're heading to Millaa Millaa anyway.

Unfortunately, there isn't much opportunity for a swim at this waterfall, since access to the bottom is blocked off.

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Related: Crystal Cascades | Windin Falls

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Spotting Platypuses and Glow Worms at Mungalli Falls

We were also told that you could see glow worms around the base of the waterfall. However, if they were there, it was too bright to see them when we were there.

Locals have also mentioned that wild platypuses live in the rivers in and around the waterfall. If you manage to spot one, you're one lucky visitor.

If there was a gold standard for Australian wildlife spotting, then a wild platypus would definitely take the cake. If you didn't manage to spot one at Mungalli, a little tip is to go to Yungaburra, which is also in the Tablelands. There is a little lookout over Petersons Creek here where you can often spot a wild platypus!

The Unique Mungalli Falls Weather and Climate

Mungalli Falls and the general Millaa Millaa area sit at an altitude of 800+ meters in the North Queensland wet tropics. This creates a unique climate that is sometimes up to 10 degrees cooler than the coast.

The tall surrounding peaks of Wooroonooran National Park, including Queensland's tallest mountain; Mt Bartle Frere, create dense rain clouds which cause constant downpours year-round. As a result, the waterfalls in the area always have decent power and flow.

Don't Miss the Nearby Waterfalls

Looking for more waterfalls near Cairns? Don't miss Australia's most photographed waterfall on the Millaa Millaa waterfall circuit, or my personal two favourites; Nandroya Falls and Tchupala Falls.

If you enjoyed this quick guide to visiting Mungalli Falls, make sure to check out some of my other travel guides. I've written extensively about travel and adventure in and around Cairns, so I'm sure you'll find something new!

• 60+ Things to do in Cairns - my ultimate Cairns and FNQ travel resource covering the best activities, hidden gems, and unmissable experiences.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.