The Cedar Creek Fall Section of Tamborine Mountain is amazing. Differing from the other five sections – there is no rainforest here – it is a stand out unique experience not to be missed. Whilst it is very small as far as bushwalks go, it is very big as an immersive nature experience. Pack a picnic, and swimmers if you’re game, and plan to stay for the day.
Location: Cedar Creek Falls Rd, Tamborine Mountain, QLD 4272
Walking Distance: 500m retutrn to the viewing platform, 1km return to the swimming holes
Elevation: Flat to the viewing platform, descent to the bottom of the gorge
Time: half an hour for the walk, all day for an immersive experience
Difficulty: Easy, a few tree roots to navigate and a few stairs
Costs/Permit: No cost, no permit required
Opening Times: only closed occasionally for maintenance
Facilities: Toilets and change rooms, picnic tables, gas BBQ, parking for approximately 15 cars + on street parking with a 300m additional walk, viewing platform
What to take: Water, camera, insect repellant, swimmers, picnic
Map:
With a dozen picnic tables and football field sized open spaces, there is room for large crowds. The only restrictive part of Cedar Creek Falls is the amount of parking. On weekends the 15 odd parking spaces fill quickly; additional space for parking is on Tamborine Mountain Rd which involves an extra 600m walk. The picnic grounds, facilities and carpark were upgraded recently (pre 2020).
Cedar Creek Falls is a popular summer swimming spot for locals. Three naturally occuring pools are accessible for swimming, the remaining pools are out of bounds. It is obvious where you are and aren’t allowed to be. Take care swimming. Serious injuries and even deaths have occured here. Having said that, kids love to be let loose here and have the opportunity to spend hours exploring the creek and pools. Ideal for 6 years old and above.
A 250m pram and wheelchair friendly path takes you to a viewing platform. Gorgeous views of the gorge, creek, and some of the pools are gained here. The remaining 250m walk leads down stairs and a rocky path to the bottom of the gorge.
There is plenty of space at the bottom to spread out and enjoy a picnic with your feet splashing in the creek. In winter the water was bracingly cold. In summer it would be wonderfully refreshing. The high walls of the gorge help provide morning and afternoon shade. A return visit in summer with swimmers in tow is on the must do list.
Be sure to look out for the piano rock about 1km downhill from the turnoff to Cedar Creek Falls. This creatively painted rock has been an iconic part of the drive to Tamborine Mountain for decades.
The Cedar Creek Falls Section was the final bushwalk for me to tick off the list to have completed all the Tamborine Mountain bushwalks. Having lived in the Brisbane area for over 20 years, this felt long overdue. It definitely won’t be another 20 years till I visit them all again.