Summary: A short loop walk in the Dinden National Park (an hour from Cairns), the Davies Creek Falls circuit track combines great views, a waterfall and many idyllic swimming holes.

Located about an hour’s drive from Cairns, I’m visiting Davies Creek on a full-day “waterfall loop” driving trip around the south of Cairns. It’s my first stop of the day, so it’s still fairly cool and fairly quiet as I reach the start of the marked Davies Creek Falls circuit track.

Davies Creek Falls circuit track

The sandy trail descends gently for a couple of hundred metres towards the first of two lookouts, through tall eucalpyt forest and past tall grass trees.

The first (fenced) lookout offers expansive views back along the valley and out to the north-west. (You also get the first glimpse of Davies Creek Falls from here.)

AWAT8346 LR Cascades and swimming holes along the Davies Creek Falls circuit track

A short distance further takes you to the second lookout (also fenced), from where there is a nice view of the top of Davies Creek Falls, as it cascades over a series of granite rocks.

AWAT8356 LR Cascades and swimming holes along the Davies Creek Falls circuit track

Continuing along the track takes you above the waterfall. Leaving the track and scrambling over boulders brings you to numerous smaller cascades, waterholes and a spectacular “infinity pool” where you can swim in a deep natural pool at the edge of the cliff.

AWAT8369 LR Cascades and swimming holes along the Davies Creek Falls circuit track

It’s all uphill from here, on the longer return section of the loop bushwalk (you can also return the same way if you just want to visit the waterfall).

The Davies Creek Falls circuit track follows the creek upstream , past a large waterhole.

About 500m from the top of the waterall is the Davies Creek Picnic Area, which is next to a sandy beach on the creek. It’s the perfect spot for a swim with young kids…

Picnic Area Davies Creek Falls circuit track

…and there’s also a deeper section here too for a swim.

AWAT8385 LR Cascades and swimming holes along the Davies Creek Falls circuit track

From the Picnic Area, the Davies Creek Falls circuit track climbs back up to the carpark, to complete the short loop.

Getting to the Davies Creek Falls circuit track

The walking track is accessed via the mostly unsealed Davies Creek Road, which is 8.3km (15min) from the Kennedy Highway, and about an hour from Cairns. (Davies Creek Road is suitable for 2WD vehicles.) The signposted trail has a small parking area.

More information

This bushwalk is part of Waterfalls, Caves and Aboriginal Rock Art – the best day trips from Cairns

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2 Comments

Peter · March 14, 2022 at 9:17 am

There’s a few ads popping up here Olly. Bloody Chrome!

Trixie G · March 18, 2022 at 1:51 pm

How fun! Looks like a great trail!

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