Girringun National Park

Deep in the tropical heart of North Queensland, Girringun National Park is a wild, ancient landscape of towering waterfalls, dense rainforest, and dramatic granite outcrops. Part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, this park offers some of the most spectacular swimming holes and bushwalks in the region, far from the crowds of the coast. It’s a place where you can feel the raw power of nature at Wallaman Falls, the highest single-drop waterfall in Australia, and explore lush gorges carved over millennia. For international travellers, it’s an essential stop on any self-drive itinerary between Townsville and Cairns, offering a genuine taste of Australia’s tropical wilderness.

Highlights & What to See

• Wallaman Falls: The park’s crown jewel – Australia’s tallest single-drop waterfall plunges 305 metres into a deep, misty pool. The 3.2 km return track to the base is moderately challenging but rewards with a refreshing swim beneath the cliff face.
• Broadwater Campground & Swimming Holes: A peaceful bush camp beside the Herbert River, with deep, clear swimming holes perfect for cooling off after a walk. Look for platypus at dawn and dusk.
• Blencoe Falls Lookout: A short walk leads to a stunning view of the Herbert River Gorge, where the river cascades 90 metres into a narrow chasm. The lookout is particularly dramatic after rain.
• Junction Camp & Rainforest Walks: Explore the lush, lowland rainforest on the 1.5 km Palm Grove circuit, or take the longer trek to the confluence of the Herbert and Blencoe creeks.
• Wildlife spotting: Keep an eye out for eastern grey kangaroos, brush-turkeys, and if you’re lucky, the endangered cassowary. The park is also a stronghold for the vibrant Victoria’s riflebird.

Suggested Time to Spend

Allocate at least half a day to experience the park’s highlights, ideally a full day if you want to do the Wallaman Falls base walk and enjoy a swim. For a more immersive visit, camp overnight at Broadwater Campground – this gives you time for an evening swim and early morning wildlife spotting. The park is best visited between April and October when the weather is dry and the waterfalls are still flowing strongly.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Paluma Range National Park: Just south, with more waterfalls and the historic village of Paluma, famous for its cloud forest and birdlife.
• Cardwell & Hinchinbrook Island: The charming coastal town of Cardwell is the gateway to Hinchinbrook Island National Park, a wilderness of mangrove creeks and the Thorsborne Trail.
• Ingham & the Tyto Wetlands: Ingham, the nearest town, has the Tyto Wetlands, a premier birdwatching site with a network of boardwalks and hides.
• Mission Beach: A laid-back beach town with access to the Great Barrier Reef and the family-friendly Bicton Hill walking track.
• Tully Gorge National Park: Home to Tully Gorge Lookout, a short detour off the Bruce Highway, and the starting point for the Tully River white-water rafting trips.

Please check official sources for current details.