Is Josephine Falls worth visiting?

Josephine Falls is a glorious waterfall located just a stone’s throw from Cairns.

Located in the Wooroonooran National Park, Josephine Falls is a fantastic spot for swimming, hiking, and being surrounded by nature. Josephine Falls is a popular location enjoyed by visitors and locals alike, but is it worth visiting? Take our word for it, you will definitely want to check out this magical slice of paradise!

Getting to Josephine Falls

You will have to drive south of Cairns to the Wooroonooran National Park and park at the Josephine Falls Walking Track. From there, it is a 1.2-kilometre hike. The walking track isn’t too difficult but be sure to come prepared with proper attire on this grade 2 hike. Once you begin your hike, the journey will take roughly 45 minutes to complete.

Though there is a bit of a hike to reach the falls, it is completely worth it. Because you can’t just drive up to the location, there will be fewer visitors than at some of the other more easily accessible locations.

What to do at Josephine Falls

One of the fun things to do at Josephine Falls is hiking, which you will have to do to reach the location. Before or after your hike, you can enjoy the picnic area and relax in the serene surroundings of nature.

You can also swim at Josephine Falls! After your hike, you will probably be eager to jump into the water and cool off from the topical heat. However, there are restricted swimming areas at Josephine Falls. This means that you will have to pay attention to the signs before jumping into the water. The reason for the safety signs is due to the potential for sudden changes in weather conditions. The signs are there to keep you safe from any possible flash flooding or harsh currents.

Aside from these factors to keep in mind, the crystal clear water at Josephine Falls is fantastic for swimming!

Other things to explore nearby

If you are an experienced hiker, you can embark on a difficult hike along the Bartle Frere Trail. This trail departs from Josephine Falls and takes about 8 hours to hike. The summit of Mount Bartle Frere offers beautiful, panoramic views across the Wooroonooran National Park.

If you prefer to spend your day checking out the natural, pristine swimming holes, check out the Babinda Boulders. The Babinda Boulders are located just over a 20-minute drive from Josephine Falls and are another great place to swim. Similar to Josephine Falls, you will have to take a short hike to this swimming location. Then, be sure to pay attention to the signs so you know where you are permitted to swim and where to avoid.

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.