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. The pool is reasonably large at around 15 to 20 metres in diameter, but the several metre high walls make it feel quite enclosed. Above: The pool at Wappa Falls in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland (Order this image)

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. Fortunately there are plenty of submerged rocks at the pool outlet that you can float down onto, and 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. 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.

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. 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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