Serenity Falls - Buderim

 Serenity Falls at Buderim is a very popular place on a hot day.  

There are plenty of carparks available at the end of Quorn Close.  It is a circuit of about 700 metres.  It is a steep but easy walk of about 350 metres down to the bridge and falls with many high rock steps.  The walk back up is an easier gradual slope.  Some people may find it easier to take the right hand path at the fork for the gradual path down and then back up the same way if you don't like steps.

We shall visit again after rain, and also take some time to walk down the creek.

Serenity Falls

Serenity Falls

Take the time to look around

Booloumba Falls, Conondale National Park

It was a slow drive to Booloumba Falls, as I kept wanting to stop to take photos along the way.  

Booloumba Falls has been on the 'to visit' list for some time, but had been avoided due to the reported need for a high rise 4X4.  We have an Nissan XTrail 4X4, which is not high.

I am very thankful to a colleague, who suggested that rather than driving the circuit, that we take the road through the Charlie Moreland campground when there has not been much rain.  It was a lovely and easy drive on a rocky track.  We didn't have any water crossings either.  but there were several places that would likely have water crossing the road after rain.

After rain the water would cover the track here

Such a beautiful drive

This is steeper than it looks, but was still easy.

It is an easy 1.5 kilometre walk from the carpark to the main Booloumba Falls
(3 kilometres return)

There are a series of cascades along the creek

Many people stopped here to swim, thinking it was the main falls

 

The main falls are at the end of the track

Boonoo Boonoo Falls

We were very impressed with the maintenance of the Boonoo Boonoo National Park.

We camped at the Cypress Pine Campground.  There are several camping spaces which are not too close together and allow the car to be at the camp.  Each camp has a picnic table and fireplace.  Nearby there is a drop toilet, firewood shed and sheltered barbeque.  There are several walks to the river from the camp ground, including Platypus Pools.  Although it was summer there were many wildflowers around too.

You can hike about 6 kilometres along the river (and see several cascades) to arrive at Boonoo Boonoo Falls.  However we chose to drive to the falls and take the short easy walk to the falls and rock pools.

Nearby we also enjoyed Thunderbolts Hideout, the walk up Bald Rock and Upper Swamp Falls.

Boonoo Boonoo River behind Cypress Pine Campground

Boonoo Boonoo River

Boonoo Boonoo falls is where Banjo Patterson reportedly proposed to Alice Walker

Boonoo Boonoo Rockpools would be a lovely swimming hole on a hot day

Yandina

Wappa falls at Yandina was such a lovely find.  The car park was very close to the falls so not much walking. At the time we were there, the sun was starting to set, and the evening light on the trees reflected in the water a deep gold.  Photos do not truly capture the beauty.

There were not many people around when we were there, but maybe because it was late afternoon.  The pools looked very inviting for a swim on a hot day.  However, many signs warn of the danger and there are plaques of those who have lost their lives there.

Warrie Circuit

Danger! Sheer Cliffs and Waterfalls. One slip could be fatal - serious injury or death may result from walking near the edge.

This is the sign at the start of the Warrie Circuit, which is a 17-kilometre walk in the picturesque Springbrook National Park. 

Depending on the weather, you are likely to see at least 9 waterfalls.

We haven't completed the full walk YET.   We walked in to Goomoolahra falls and back again, which is about 6.5 kilometres.   Not many people do this walk, so we were on our own.  It was a wonderful walk.

The stunning Goomoolahra falls.
It is an easy walk  (wheel chair friendly) to view the Goomoolahra falls from the viewing platform at the top.  However about 3 kilometres to walk in to see it from here.

Rainbow Falls is along the way. 
Although there was no rainbow on the day (at the time) that we were there.

The track takes you under Rainbow Falls.  Prepare to get wet.

At times, it is like you are walking on a track on the side of the cliff with sheer drops below and cliffs above.

Many different types of flora along the way

More rocky cliff faces

Amazing how trees grow in nooks and crannies.

If you visit after rain, you are likely to see water running down the cliffs in several places.

Great views of  Surfers Paradise

A path has been built to enable hikers to safely cross the waterfall.
The first photo was taken looking up from this path.

This photo was also taken from the same path but looking down.

Many interesting plants along the way

Twin Falls

Twin Falls Circuit is a 4 kilometre walk with amazing views.

There is a small waterfall at the top of the Twin Falls

The high cliffs in Springbrook National Park are the reason there are so many waterfalls in the area.  This is the top of Twin Falls.

Walk under the Twin Falls

Twin Falls from the base

Twin Falls

Queen Mary Falls

I had no idea that there were so many wonderful waterfalls in Queensland, until we moved here.

My father always says, "What is so special about water running over rocks?" but I can't get enough of them and like to visit in different seasons, especially after rain.

There is a "Falls Drive" in the Southern Downs and Granite Belt area, where you can see four waterfalls in close vicinity; one right on the side of the road.  I highly recommend this drive and the associated walks as a day trip.

Queen Mary Falls

Queen Mary Falls from below

Queen Mary Falls don't look as tall from below

There is a lot of spray at the bottom, which is lovely on a hot day

Queen Mary Falls

Purlingbrook Falls

The Purlingbrook Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park is another of Queensland's picturesque walks and waterfalls.  It can be enjoyed time and time again as the falls change in the different seasons.  There is always something different to see in the rainforest too.  The walk is about 4km and there are about 300 steps, which from experience, feel like 500 if you walk anti-clockwise!  I highly suggest walking clockwise!

Purlingbrook Falls rainbow 

Purlingbrook Falls after rain

Top of Purlingbrook falls

Purlingbook Falls from below in dryer times