Do Cedar Creek Falls run year-round?
Cedar Creek Falls are the Whitsundays’ treasured waterfalls, nestled within the rainforest outside of Airlie Beach. Located in the Conway National Park, the falls are a natural beauty and a refreshing place to swim and cool down during the warmer seasons. Surrounded by cedar trees and unique rock formations, the Whitsundays' only waterfall is a stunning sight to behold. With a natural lagoon, filled with crystal clear freshwater, the falls are the perfect place to spend a morning or afternoon with your friends, family or even solo!
The top of the cascading waterfall overlooks the tropical rainforest and mountain tops. There’s a 10-minute long walking track that follows the side of the mountain up towards the top that you can follow to check out the view. The height of the falls is 30 metres and although it may look like fun to jump off, it is highly dangerous and has unfortunately claimed the lives of several visitors.
You can swim at Cedar Creek Falls all year-round. However, the waterfalls are only flowing after a large downpour of rain. While they are spectacular after the rain, don't let that stop you from visiting! It is still worth the trip with or without the flowing on the water.
Why visit Cedar Creek Falls in the Whitsundays?
Besides the falls being a beautiful site to visit, the biggest reason to visit is that it’s a safe place to swim during the warmer months. If you didn’t already know, from November through to May, the coastline of Northern Queensland gets stung (pun intended) with jellyfish. Box jellyfish, bluebottles and irukandji are blown into the shores of the Whitsundays making it dangerous to swim in the ocean. You can protect yourself by wearing a stinger suit or only swimming within netted areas at the beach. Or you could just opt for taking a dip in the lagoon under the falls.
Another reason to visit Cedar Creek Falls is for the wildlife. Often at dusk, eastern snake-neck turtles have been spotted on the lagoon’s edges looking for worms, insects or small fish to eat. You might even spot some native Australian wildlife like kangaroos, platypus, kookaburras, goannas or wombats. There are crocodile warning signs but it’s highly rare that you’ll come across a saltwater crocodile playing in a freshwater lagoon.
How do I get from Airlie Beach to Cedar Creek Falls?
If you’re travelling without a car, the best way to get to Cedar Creek is by booking a tour with us! Whitsundays Creek to Cape Day Tour will not only see you visiting the waterfalls, it will tour you through the region. You will stop for a coffee at the Whitsunday Gold Coffee Plantation, relax at the idyllic Cape Gloucester Resort and Explore Frog Rock Beach. You’ll also be travelling in a comfortable air-conditioned 22-seat coach.
On the other hand, if you do have a car, Cedar Creek Falls is only a 30 minute drive from Airlie’s main hub (30km). The drive is pretty straight forward. When you leave Airlie, head through Cannonvale towards Proserpine. After 12km, keep a lookout for the turnoff to Conway Road. Follow Conway Road for 8km until you reach Saltwater Creek Road where you’ll turn left and follow that road until you meet a fork in the road. Turn right (should be a sign) along Cedar Creek Falls Road which is where you’ll then reach your destination. The car park can become crowded but there is roadside parking if needed. The waterfall is only a short drive from the carpark and you'll be able to hear straight away if it's flowing!
For more information on Cedar Creek Falls or any other Whitsunday related questions, don’t hesitate to contact our team of travel experts on +61 74914 2425 or on our live chat!
