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Wappa Falls
Sunshine Coast, Queensland

A sometimes ferocious flow of water into this deep, turbulent pool with stone cliffs on three sides creates an exhilarating space for swimming, but has also been the site of several drownings. The pool is reasonably large at around 15 to 20 metres in diameter, with the several metre high walls making it feel quite enclosed.

Swimming at Wappa Falls

Above: The pool at Wappa Falls in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland (Order this image)

When the river is flowing fast, there are fierce under-currents at the base of the falls that should be avoided. In the pool, faced with the powerful torrent coming towards you from two directions, the outside world ceases to exist in what becomes a battle between you and the river in this natural arena. There are submerged rocks at the pool outlet that you can float down onto, and more tranquil water beyond, when you decide that your challenge against the current is over. The pool does settle down when Wappa Dam, directly upstream, stops spilling.

This spot is also a popular cliff jumping location. The stone walls are around 5-6 metres high, so jumping in is not for the faint hearted.

There are plenty of warning signs on site indicating the dangers of cliff jumping here, as noted below, particularly because the water is often turbid, which makes it difficult to see any underwater obstacles. The managing authority prohibits diving, and advises that swimming, wading and jumping into the river here is dangerous.

Swimming at Wappa Falls

Above: Swimmers in the calmer water downstream and heading back up to the rock ledges at Wappa Falls (Order this image)

To reach the pool from the car park, follow the little track that traces an arc through the scrub around the pool, well back from the water, to the downstream rock ledge. You can also swim in the shallower water downstream of the pool.

There are no lawn areas or picnic facilities here, so most people come for a swim and then head back, but you can find plenty of spots to lay down a towel and perch yourself on the rocks in the sun in between dips.

Here is a video of swimming at this spot including some fearless cliff jumping and some suspicious teenage activity.

Other Information Before You Go:

Location: At the end of Pump Station Road, Kiamba, 4 km west of Yandina and 110 km north of Brisbane.
Latitude:-26.570845 Longitude:152.924931
Getting there: From the Bruce Hwy (M1) turn off at Yandina. Wappa Falls Road is approximately 1 km south of the town centre along the Nambour Connection Road (aka Farrell St). After 3-4 km along Wappa Falls Road, head north down Pump Station Road. The falls are a few metres from the car park at the end of Pump Station Road.

Facilities: Car park. No other facilities. Jack Harrison Park has picnic facilities a few hundred metres further up Wappa Falls Road, at Wappa Dam.
Entrance fee: None
Water temperature: Mild
Water clarity: Cloudy
Under foot: Rock
Maximum water depth: Greater than 2 metres
Minimum swimming proficiency required: Experienced
Prohibitions including whether you can bring your dog: No diving. There were no signs on site indicating that you cannot bring your dog.
Sun shade: Shade available out of the water near the car park.
Opening times: Always open
Wheelchair access: None
Managing authority: Queensland Government
Nearby attractions: The Ginger Factory in Yandina

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, deep water and submerged boulders, and that water levels can rise rapidly and without warning. It states that swimming, wading, jumping and diving in this river is dangerous, due to a combination of swift currents, slippery rocks, deep water and flash flooding. People have died here and others have been seriously injured. The managing authority does not prohibit swimming, but indicates that swimming here can be dangerous, and recommends that you should supervise children at all times, do not jump or dive into the river, and concludes their advice that to stay safe, don't swim.

Locality Map:

The marker indicates the approximate location of the waterfall pool. If the map is not zoomed in locally, as can sometimes occur when loading, simply click or tap on "View Larger Map" below.
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