Like the nearby Tchupala Falls which is downstream on the same river, Wallicher Falls in the Wooroonooran National Park is one of the less-visited waterfalls. The fairly wide waterfall drops about 10m, with multiple streams of water.
It’s reached via a relatively short bushwalk, which takes you to a fenced lookout. There’s a nice view of Wallicher Falls framed by trees, although you are some distance from the waterfall. A very slippery and steep pad down to Henrietta Creek gets you closer to the falls; I went a short distance down this informal “track” to get some photos that were a bit clearer of the trees. You could get down to the creek and up to the edge of the pool at the base of the falls, but you’d need to take your shoes off and wade up the creek.
Getting to Wallicher Falls
Both Tchupala Falls and Wallicher Falls are fairly easily reached via a bushwalking track that starts on the Palmerston Highway. The trailhead is signposted but very hard to see from the road – as there is no phone reception in the area, it’s advisable to note the starting location before you enter the national park (Google map reference). There is plenty of parking along the wide shoulder. After you about 200m, the track reaches a fork, with one track going east to Tchupala Falls, and the other continuing north to Tchupala Falls. It’s about 1.4km (return) if you are just visiting Wallicher Falls, or 2.1km for both waterfalls.
The waterfalls are within the Wooroonooran National Park, which is about a 1:30min drive to the south of Cairns via the Bruce Highway. You can visit Tchupala Falls as part of a Waterfall Loop day trip from Cairns, which includes a number of waterfalls and swimming holes.
Best time to visit
As with all the waterfalls around Cairns, the best time to visit is December to March, when the flow of water is at its peak.
More information
- World of Waterfalls – Wallicher Falls and Tchupala Falls
- QLD Parks – Wooroonooran National Park sketch map [PDF]
Visit Waterfalls and Swimming Holes around Cairns and Far North Queensland for more spectacular falls and picturesque swimming holes.
0 Comments