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Davies Creek Falls
Mareeba, Far North Queensland

The designated swimming area has a little river beach leading into clear, shallow water, but it is not the kind of swim you would normally expect at a waterfall. This is because the swimming area is actually about 500 metres upstream, well away from the main drop.

Swimming at Davies Creek Falls

Above: The view downstream from the little beach at the designated swimming area (Order this image)

From the car park, head left for a 200 metre walk to the falls. There is a little pool at the base of the falls, but with a sheer cliff in the way and no easy access track to get down to the water. According to information boards back at the Lower Davies Creek Campground, people have died at Davies Creek Falls trying to scale the cliff.

Enjoy the spectacular view of the falls from behind the rail, which is dizzying enough when looking down into the chasm, without getting any closer. It is possible to access a mostly shallow infinity pool at the top of the falls, but only in dry weather when the river is low, because it involves scrambling over rock shelves. Otherwise, keep following the circuit trail that runs along the creek to the picnic and the designated swimming area a few hundred metres upstream, for a similar but safer swimming experience. You can also take the shorter route from the car park, directly to the swimming area, without going via the falls.

Swimming at Davies Creek Falls

Above: The upper pool at the swimming area at Davies Creek Falls (Order this image)

The swimming area has a coarse sandy beach on top of granite rock shelves that extend up on each side, away from the creek. As a result, there is plenty of open space for your towel and any other picnic gear you might bring, but relatively little shade.

In the water it is quite shallow around the edges, but with a reasonably self-contained upper pool that has areas of calm water away from the main stream. Downstream of the main rock barrier between the two pools, the lower pool is less well defined, with faster flowing water in a narrower channel, and rock boulders protruding out of the water.

Swimming at Davies Creek Falls

Above: The drop down from the viewing area at Davies Creek Falls (Order this image)

Overall the swimming area at the falls is quite a nice spot to splash around in the bush, away from more popular swimming spots around Cairns. The number of visitors at any given time is limited by the few available car spaces. Laze about, enjoy the sunshine and keep cool in clear water over a clean bed of rock and sand. Guaranteed to save you from going troppo in the tropics, if you keep your hat on.

Other Information Before You Go:

Location:Davies Creek Road, 23 km (approx. 20 minute drive) east of Mareeba and 57 km (approx. 1 hour drive) west of Cairns.
Latitude:-17.009844 Longitude:145.582181
Getting there: From the Kennedy Hwy (route 1) between Cairns and Mareeba, it is 8 km along Davies Creek Road to Davies Creek Falls. Only a handful of car spaces are available at the little turning circle, with the bend in the road here making it hard to park anywhere else nearby if the car park is full. The road includes sections of gravel road, that on my visit during mostly dry conditions were suitable for 2WD vehicles.

Facilities: Car park, falls viewing area. There are no rubbish bins, so plan to take your rubbish home with you.
Entrance fee: None
Water temperature: Mild
Water clarity: Clear
Under foot: Rock and coarse sand
Maximum water depth: Less than 1 metre in most parts
Minimum swimming proficiency required: Experienced swimmers when the river is flowing fast, due to the currents. The designated swimming area is suitable for inexperienced swimmers, under supervision under low flow conditions.
Prohibitions including whether you can bring your dog: No dogs, no cats, no camping, no fires.
Sun shade: Shade available out of the water, away from the creek. Limited to no shade available in the water.
Opening times: Always open
Wheelchair access: None
Managing authority: Queensland Department of Environment and Science
Nearby attractions: Lower Davies Creek Campground, 2 km back down Davies Creek Road towards Mareeba.

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 at the falls that there are sheer cliffs, slippery rocks, swift currents, and submerged objects. Natural hazards in this area combined with risky behaviour by visitors have caused serious injuries and deaths. Stay on the track and behind the barrier at the falls, never jump or dive into the creek, avoid drinking alcohol, and supervise your children at all times. The managing authority also recommends to avoid swimming after heavy rain or when the creek is in flood, because rapidly rising water levels make it unsafe.

Locality Map:

The marker indicates the approximate location of the designated swimming area upstream of 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 Davies Creek Falls? There are a number of hazards that would make it dangerous for kids to swim here, notably the strong currents, slippery rocks, and variable water depth. If kids were to swim here, it would need to be under strict supervision in the shallows when the river is low.

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

Are there crocodiles at Davies Creek 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.

Are there toilets at Davies Creek Falls? No, there are no toilets, with the nearest toilets 2 km back along Davies Creek Road at the Lower Davies Creek Campground.

Can I have a picnic at Davies Creek Falls? Yes, but you will need to carry in your picnic gear for 200 metres along a bush path, and bring your own picnic blanket, also noting that there is limited shade at the designated swimming area.

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

Comments:

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