Cool Off at these 4 Sunshine Coast Waterfalls This Summer

When the Sunshine Coast heats up, it truly does. But the beach isn’t the only answer in this part of Australia. Inland, forests are thick and the air damp and refreshing, with creeks and waterfalls which carve their way through shaded gullies. We look at where to find the Sunshine Coast’s most rewarding waterfalls, so that exploring on summer days is just a little more comfortable.

The Landscape Behind the Sunshine Coast

The beaches get the attention (it’s in the name) but the Sunshine Coast is actually built around creeks, streams and rainforest.

Warm and humid summers and seasonal downpours feed dense pockets of rainforest, towering eucalypts, and tangled canopies of fig and hoop pine. Some of the forests here in South East Queensland are remnants of ancient Gondwana landscapes, with plant species that have changed little over millions of years.

So all you have to do is head inland a matter of minutes from the city and the landscape fills out with greenery quickly. As the roads climb up, the air gets a little cooler and the scenery gets denser into subtropical forest.

This is where you’ll find refreshing gullies that cut deep into the hinterland and water that shapes everything it touches.

4 Cooling Sunshine Coast Waterfalls

When the heat settles in here, as it often does, the coast isn’t always the most comfortable place to be.

On hot days, these hidden spots become natural places to take a break and swim. Let’s take a look at some of the Sunshine Coast’s best waterfalls.

Kondalilla Falls

Located near Montville in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, Kondalilla Falls is one of the region’s most substantial and visited waterfalls. Skene Creek drops into a shaded gully, reached via a steep circuit walk through rainforest.

Swimming is possible in rock pools above the falls and at the base, depending on water levels, with the lower pool a little cooler and more enclosed. Early mornings tend to be quieter, especially on warmer days when the walk back up can feel demanding.

Baxter Falls

The walk to Baxter Falls takes longer than most tracks in Kondalilla National Park and includes a suspension bridge crossing partway through. So if you’re looking to really earn your waterfall, you’ve found the spot.

Forest closes in along the route, with uneven ground and steady elevation that will slow you down a little. Water flows into a narrow creek area at the end of the track, where people usually stop to sit, rest, and spend time near the water before heading back the same way.

The flow of the waterfall varies depending on recent rain, with wetter periods making for more of a noticeable cascade.

Mapleton Falls

Mapleton Falls sits in Mapleton Falls National Park on the Blackall Range, about 15 minutes from Mapleton village in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

The waterfall drops more than 100 metres into a deep valley, with lookouts at the top opening to wide views across rainforest and the Obi Obi Valley below. A short walk from the car park leads to the main viewing platform, making this one of the easier waterfall stops to access.

Gardners Falls

Just outside Maleny, Gardners Falls is one of the most accessible swimming spots in the hinterland. The nature-engulfed falls spill into wide, shallow waterholes that sit close to the carpark, making it easy to swim, sit in the water, or spread out with a picnic nearby.

The area stays pretty popular on warm days, with deeper sections for jumping and calmer edges where people linger, especially through summer and after rain.

Buderim “Serenity” Falls

Serenity Falls sits among dense ferns and mature fig trees, just a short walk from the entrance. The track is gentle and shaded, making this one super simple to reach even on warmer days when all you want is a splash of water.

A small rock pool forms at the base of the falls, more a place to pause and take in the surroundings than a long swimming stop, with the forest doing most of the work here.

Booloumba Falls

Reaching Booloumba Falls feels like committing to the hinterland properly.

The drive through Conondale National Park is long and forested, with creek crossings that suit high-clearance vehicles, followed by a walking track that stays quiet. The falls run into a wide rock pool framed by tall forest, making this one best suited to people who enjoy the journey as much as the water at the end.

Wappa Falls

Water runs across a series of rock shelves here, forming several shallow pools along the creek. It’s absolutely ideal for a swim.

People love to discover all the different sections of water, sitting on flat rock edges and settling where there’s shade and some depth for a dip. After rain, the pools fill out and the flow becomes more defined, while drier periods expose more rock and smaller pockets of water.

You could spend all afternoon here!

Robinson Falls

A short, easy walk leads to Robinson Falls, where water runs through a shallow creek line and drops over a small rock face.

The surrounding area opens out into grassy parkland, which makes this a comfortable stop for sitting, eating, or letting kids run around nearby. Visits tend to involve a brief walk, some time by the water, and a pause in the shade before moving on.

Gheerulla Falls

Reaching Gheerulla Falls involves a longer forest walk through tall trees and dense undergrowth, so make sure you arrive prepared.

The track takes time and effort, which keeps visitor numbers lower and makes the area feel quieter for most of the day. Water flows into a clear pool at the base of the falls, with the strongest flow usually appearing after rain, when the surrounding forest feels fuller and the walk is most rewarding.

Where to Stay in the Sunshine Coast

The setting in Kawana really makes the Mercure Kawana Waters shine. A lake sits next to the property, with walking paths looping the water and rooms opening onto open-air corridors.

Mornings start quietly with coffee outside and a lap around the lake and after a day spent inland or near the water, evenings can stay simple; with a swim and a tasty meal on site.

Guests love the room size and layout, with space to unpack properly and to move.

Book your stay at Mercure Kawana Waters today!