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Clamshell Falls
Behana Gorge, Far North Queensland

This 300 metre long tiered waterfall has several pools beside wide basalt rock shelves, but is only suitable for swimming after a period of low or no rainfall when the rock shelves are dry, and the strong swirling currents in the river are more subdued.

Swimming at Clamshell Falls

Above: The area where I swam at Clamshell Falls (Order this image)

Reaching the falls is a 3 km each way walk from the car park along a paved access road that provides a wide, hard, smooth surface for walking that is easy on the ankles. As for your lungs and calves, they will get a bit more of a workout over the extremely steep series of buckled hills.

Take your time and enjoy the walk through the forest, which has a couple of points where little cascades run under the track, and occasional river views that are quite picturesque.

Swimming at Clamshell Falls

Above: Clamshell Falls from the viewing area at the base of the falls (Order this image)

There is a small viewing area at the base of the falls, where the road has been widened and the trees cleared to take in the whole 300 metre length of cascades from top to bottom. From there continue on a few hundred metres until you are about 50 metres from the end of the road, where there is a little rocky goat track that runs for about 20 metres down onto the rock shelf beside the water (see the last photo below for the start of this track).

The steep, uneven goat track requires good footwear and good balance to stay upright.

Unfortunately when I was there it had been raining heavily (note: this is the wet tropics, so this happens a lot, even though I was well outside of monsoon season!) and the falls were pretty ferocious, including a massive standing wave at the outlet from the top pool that I really did not want to get sucked into. Getting into the water, I found a quieter eddy, but even that was gently pushing me around and out into the main current, so I had to check myself a few times to stay close to the shore. The views of the main waterfall drop were amazing, with plenty of noise and spray. For the best and safest swimming, I would only come here again if it had not been raining for several days, when the rock shelves are dry and the currents are less treacherous.

Swimming at Clamshell Falls

Above: The steep walking path next to the pipeline to Clamshell Falls (Order this image)

Given that it is a bit more effort to get to, with several large pools, your chances of having a swim without too many other people around are better here than at other freshwater swimming holes in the same region. It is an amazing environment to immerse yourself in and well worth the walk.

Swimming at Clamshell Falls

Above: The tree where there is a rough path down to the river at the falls (Order this image)

Other Information Before You Go:

Location:At the end of Behana Gorge Road, Aloomba, 34 km (approx. 30 minute drive) south of Cairns.
Latitude:-17.189423 Longitude:145.823872
Getting there: From the Bruce Hwy (A1) 6 km south of Gordonvale, follow the Behana Gorge Road to the small car park at the end. From the car park it is a 6 km return walk to the falls.

Facilities: Car park
Entrance fee: None
Water temperature: Mild
Water clarity: Clear
Under foot: Rock
Maximum water depth: Greater than 2 metres
Minimum swimming proficiency required: Experienced swimmers only due to the current and variable depth.
Prohibitions including whether you can bring your dog: No littering, no fires, no dogs, no alcohol, no bicycles, no motorbikes, no vehicle access to the walking track, no standing on the pipeline that runs alongside the track.
Sun shade: Shade available out of the water. No shade in the water or on most of the rock shelves at the edge of the water.
Opening times: Always open
Wheelchair access: The path to the falls is wheelchair accessible, but there is a padlock on the access gate, so you might need to contact the managing authority about getting access through the gate. The path to the falls lookout is paved all the way, but very steep in parts. The scramble down to the water is not wheelchair accessible.
Accommodation: See accommodation options close to Clamshell Falls, including where I stayed when visiting the falls.
Managing authority: Cairns Regional Council
Nearby attractions: Babinda Boulders, 41 km to the south by road.

Before you head out, make sure to read the swimming safety information and check with the managing authority for any current change of conditions. Specific to this site, the managing authority warns that there are strong currents, submerged objects, slippery areas, and steep dropoffs in the water, and that children must be supervised in the water.

Locality Map:

The marker indicates the approximate location of the car park in Behana Gorge Road, at the start of the walk to the falls. If the map is not zoomed in locally, as can sometimes occur when loading, simply click or tap on "View Larger Map" below.
View Larger Map

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can kids swim at Clamshell Falls? Yes, but I would not recommend it. If you did decide to bring your kids here for a swim, it would only under very close supervision when the river is low. There are a number of hazards in the water that would make it dangerous for kids to swim here, notably the possibility of being trapped in the current and going over the edge of the falls.

How long does it take to walk to Clamshell Falls? It is 3 km each way on a smooth path, but with several very steep hills. It took me about 30-45 minutes each way. An electric bike or scooter would be ideal, except that vehicles, including bikes, are not permitted here.

Can my dog swim at Clamshell Falls? No, dogs are not permitted here.

Are there crocodiles at Clamshell Falls? Crocodiles travel far and wide in far north Queensland. None had been reported here to my knowledge at the time of my swim, but always keep a lookout and heed any warning signs on site.

Can I see fish in the water at Clamshell Falls? The water was flowing too vigorously for me to see any fish, but I would not be surprised to see fish at other times.

Can I go fishing at Clamshell Falls? I did not see any signs indicating that fishing was not permitted, but it is a long walk to and from your car to catch a fish.

Can I have a picnic at Clamshell Falls? There are no formal picnic facilities at the falls or at the car park, but there is plenty of space on the rock shelves around the falls if you want to carry your lunch (in a backpack to keep your hands free to scramble down to the rock shelves) and have a picnic at the falls.

If you have any other questions not answered above, leave a comment for me using the comment box below.

Comments:

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