Booloumba Falls
Sunshine Coast
Conondale National Park
A short walk past cascades to the beautiful Booloumba Falls and an incredible rock formation known as the Breadknife.
This highly trafficked walk is located at the Booloumba Falls Car Park on Booloumba Creek Road, deep in Conondale National Park.
The walk meanders through a mix of rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest intersecting a number of times with the Conondale Great Walk.
On the way to the falls, there is a short side-track to a small cascade. Downstream, the creek bed is strewn with giant boulders.
At the end of the track there are wooden steps down to Booloumba Falls, a lovely wide-faced fall that cascades into a pristine pool.
There is also a constructed platform with views of the incredible Breadknife, a tall and narrow rock formation at the junction of Peters and Booloumba Creeks.
There are a number of places to swim and cool down at the falls, including the main pool at the base of the falls, a waist-deep plunge pool halfway up the falls, and another pool near the base of the stairs above another waterfall (viewed from the platform for the Breadknife).
Care is needed when scaling the waterfall, particularly if the rocks are wet.
A high-clearance 4WD is required to reach the carpark for this walk along a scenic 4WD track.
The walk can be paired easily with either Artists Cascades (11.5 kms return) or the shorter Strangler Cairn and Gold Mine Track (6.5 kms return), which are also located long the drive.
A stop at the pristine Booloumba Creek swimming hole is also a must-do.
Track: Graded and well signed, the track is easy to follow. There are a number of small footbridges on the way to the falls, rock steps to the cascade side-track, wooden steps to the main falls and a constructed boardwalk and platform at the viewing point for the Breadknife.
Difficulty: The short track descends gradually to the falls and is relatively easy, but there is a slight ascent back to the car park. Care should be taken after heavy rain as the creek may become flooded and the pools and waterfall dangerous.
Direction: This is an out-and-back track that returns the way it came.
getting there
The trail starts from the Booloumba Falls Car Park on Booloumba Creek Road, deep in Conondale National Park in Kenilworth, 2.5 hours drive north-west of Brisbane.
A 4WD or high clearance vehicle is recommended for getting to this location as there are two creek crossings required and an 11.4 km drive along a 4WD trail.
The car park is typically ample for how trafficked the walk is.
best time to go
The walk can be completed year-round.
The car park is typically ample for how trafficked the walk is.
Like any walk involving waterfalls, it is best done after recent rain. However, if completing after recent rain, be sure to check the Queensland Parks website for updates regarding flooding and track closures.
Remember, whenever venturing into the outdoors, practice the Leave No Trace principles and be considerate of others. This means: dispose of your waste properly, don't remove things or move things from their natural position and respect all wildlife. Also be sure to plan ahead and adequately prepare for any adventure.
I respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which all activities listed on this website are found, as well as Elders past, present and emerging. I strive to not promote sites where requests have been made for people not to explore due to the cultural significance of the site to Indigenous peoples, or note how to respectfully visit a site. If I have a promoted a site with cultural significance, please send me a message and let me know.