Stoney Creek Falls Cairns – The Kuranda Scenic Rail Waterfall

Stoney Creek Falls is a popular waterfall walking track and swimming hole near Cairns.

There is a lot of confusion about Stoney Creek Falls. That’s because there are numerous waterfalls along Stoney Creek with this name.

The main two options are a short scenic walk to Old Weir Falls, a refreshing dip in the swimming hole near the car park, or a longer hike to Stoney Creek Falls, the famous waterfall on the Kuranda Scenic Rail journey.

After hiking to over 30 waterfalls in Cairns and visiting all of the cascades along the many walking tracks on Stoney Creek, I’ve written this updated guide, covering all the options for your visit.

Where is Stoney Creek from Cairns?

Stoney Creek is reached via a short, 20-minute drive from Cairns CBD down the Western Arterial Road. You'll need to turn onto Stoney Creek Road (Kamerunga) which leads through the rainforest to the car park. The car park accommodates up to around 15 cars. There's no fee to park your car here but it can get busy!

From here, the track is clearly visible on the right, and immediately leads onto a concrete footbridge, where it's possible to fork off to the nearby swimming hole or continue to Old Weir Falls or the Stoney Creek Falls walking track.

There are no public transport routes to Stoney Creek and the closest bus stop is about 2 km walk away at Impey St near Lake Placid Rd. Therefore, if you want to get here and the other waterfalls and swimming holes in the region, I recommend renting a car or booking one of the tours above.

Stoney Creek Swimming Hole

Everyone knows that Cairns can get hot! As a result, it's not hard to see why Stoney Creek has become such a local favourite.

The great thing about Stoney Creek is that there is a deep, swimming hole just minutes from the car park, making it one of the best places to cool off close to Cairns.

To get here, cross the concrete footbridge and take the left track at the fork immediately after. Alternatively, you can also cross underneath the bridge and follow the shallow creek for about 3 minutes to the waterhole.

The swimming hole is wide and roughly 2 metres deep in the deepest section.

Although this is a great spot to swim and cool off, it can get very busy in summer, especially on weekends. Consider visiting early or on weekdays to avoid the crowds.

Did you know that the Stoney Creek car park is the starting point for the Glacier Rock lookout track and is only a 15-minute drive from Fairy Falls and the Crystal Cascades?

The Stoney Creek Walking Track to Old Weir Falls

If the swimming hole is crowded, or you'd prefer a short hike to a larger, more secluded waterfall, then take the walking track to Old Weir Falls. This is accessed by taking the straight track from the footbridge fork leading up a wide, dirt track.

This track is the Stoney Creek Walking track, which after about 20 minutes reaches Old Weir Falls. This track follows the creek up the side of a rounded hill and finishes just above the waterfall.

There is a large fallen tree that rests just above the waterfall, framing it nicely. Old Weir waterfall itself cascades roughly 8 metres down a rocky face onto a sand-lined shore.

Although the water isn't as deep here, it's still a great place to cool down and enjoy the serenity. There is also a deeper swimming hole just above Old Weir and a few more spots scattered along the track.

Stoney Creek Falls - Longer Hike to Kuranda Scenic Rail Waterfall

If you're looking to get to the official Stoney Creek Falls waterfall behind the Kuranda Scenic Rail line, then this is a bit more of a mission. Keep in mind that the Scenic Rail line is off limits and I am in no way condoning walking on their land or structures.

There is a sign pointing towards the "Douglas Track" and Glacier Rock almost immediately after the concrete footbridge.

The track to Stoney Creek Falls begins by turning right here. Then, approximately 100 meters along this track, there is a mostly overgrown and unmarked track leading into the rainforest to the left.

A little further on, this track opens up and is easier to follow. There are also sporadic pink markers along the way. Soon, the track reaches "Small Waterfall", a tiny cascade with a decently deep pool to swim in. The track follows on the left side of this waterfall, climbing up the small rocky section.

After 1.2 kilometers, the track crosses the creek and enters back into the forest. There are pink markers on the other side of the creek marking the way. This track then continues through the forest, winding its way up to the ridgeline before a final steep ascent to the railway line.

Stoney Creek Falls is just a few hundred meters from the railway line.

Hiking tip: Here is the route that I took on my Strava. Just keep in mind that this track is mostly unmarked. Furthermore, we didn't take the proper route on the descent and chose to rock hop down the creek instead to look for more waterfalls.

More Cairns Adventure & Waterfall Guides

I hope that this quick guide to visiting the different waterfalls along Stoney Creek Falls near Cairns. I've spent several months exploring and documenting travel guides for this region. Below are more useful guides you can check out for free.

• 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.