Gardners Falls
A series of rockpools to enjoy and escape the heat of summer.
Suitability
With only a short flat walk to the falls, this is a great destination for all ages.
Highlights
Take a short, level walk downstream to Gardners Falls, the ideal place for a freshwater swim for the whole family. Along the way are smaller shallower freshwater pools, ideal for littlies or those wanting to soak their feet in the cool stream! The cool refreshing water is bounded by grassy banks and native forest.
Gardners Falls is also a popular picnic spot, with picnic tables and amenities next to the car park. This is one location you simply must visit.
The falls are also a popular place for nature lovers and photographers.
The best time to visit the falls is after rainfall but be careful as the rocks can be slippery. Beware it is a very popular and busy location in summertime.
Afterwards
Take a short trip to Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, one of the most spectacular vantage points for the Glass House Mountains. Here you can access rainforest walks through the discovery centre by gold coin donation, enjoy a picnic on the open grass, or relax and enjoy a meal at the café!
How to get there
To the starting point: Gardners Falls are located at the end of Obi Lane South, just past Spicers Tamarind Retreat.
Travelling west on the Landsborough Maleny Road, Obi Lane South is about 1km on your right past the Maleny-Montville Road T-intersection. There is a sealed car park at the beginning of the falls.
To the end point: The end point being the same as your starting point (car park).
Accessibility guide
A 2.7m wide bitumen path running about 200m, most of which can be travelled without assistance. Help may be needed leaving the car park and at the far end where the concrete gives way to rock, which can need a mountain hand cycle or Omeo. There is no accessible toilet in the park and no mobile reception.
The bitumen path is 2.7 metres wide and stretches for approximately 200 meters. While there is no accessible toilet within the park, most of the path can be comfortably traversed without assistance. However, it's worth noting that assistance may be required at the start from the carpark and at the end where the concrete path transitions into a rocky area. For this rocky section, the use of a mountain hand cycle or Omeo assistive technology may be necessary. Personal assistance might still be required, even with the use of assistive devices, as navigating over the rocky area can be challenging.
Please note that there is no mobile reception in the area.
Take a short, level journey downstream to Gardners Falls rock pools. Along the way are smaller shallower pools, ideal for littlies or those wanting to soak their feet in the cool stream! The cool refreshing water is bounded by grassy banks and native forest. Gardners Falls is also a popular picnic spot, with picnic tables and amenities next to the car park. This is one location you simply must visit. The falls are also a popular place for nature lovers and photographers. The best time to visit the falls is after rainfall but be careful as the rocks can be slippery. Beware it is a very popular and busy location in summertime.
- Park Benches
- Toilets
- Swimming
- Walking
To reach Gardner Falls, take the turn off to Gardner Falls South Road from Maleny-Landsborough Road, and follow the road until you reach the carpark on the right. There is ample parking available, but please note that there are no designated accessible parking spaces or accessible toilet facilities at this location.
Take a short trip to Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, one of the most spectacular vantage points for the Glass House Mountains. Here you can access rainforest walks through the discovery centre by gold coin donation. Enjoy a picnic on the open grass, or relax and enjoy a meal at the cafe!
Suitability
The bitumen path is 2.7 metres wide and stretches for approximately 200 meters. While there is no accessible toilet within the park, most of the path can be comfortably traversed without assistance. However, it's worth noting that assistance may be required at the start from the carpark and at the end where the concrete path transitions into a rocky area. For this rocky section, the use of a mountain hand cycle or Omeo assistive technology may be necessary. Personal assistance might still be required, even with the use of assistive devices, as navigating over the rocky area can be challenging.
Please note that there is no mobile reception in the area.
Highlights
Take a short, level journey downstream to Gardners Falls rock pools. Along the way are smaller shallower pools, ideal for littlies or those wanting to soak their feet in the cool stream! The cool refreshing water is bounded by grassy banks and native forest. Gardners Falls is also a popular picnic spot, with picnic tables and amenities next to the car park. This is one location you simply must visit. The falls are also a popular place for nature lovers and photographers. The best time to visit the falls is after rainfall but be careful as the rocks can be slippery. Beware it is a very popular and busy location in summertime.
Facilities and activities
- Park Benches
- Toilets
- Swimming
- Walking
Getting there
To reach Gardner Falls, take the turn off to Gardner Falls South Road from Maleny-Landsborough Road, and follow the road until you reach the carpark on the right. There is ample parking available, but please note that there are no designated accessible parking spaces or accessible toilet facilities at this location.
Afterwards
Take a short trip to Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, one of the most spectacular vantage points for the Glass House Mountains. Here you can access rainforest walks through the discovery centre by gold coin donation. Enjoy a picnic on the open grass, or relax and enjoy a meal at the cafe!
Disclaimer:
This trail accessibility review has been undertaken by Spinal Life Australia. Please note that the trails reviewed are not compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). Instead, these reviews are intended to provide additional information to assist trail users and carers in assessing the usability of each trail, including details about accessible parking, trail surfaces, and amenity facilities.
About this place
- Suitable for walking
- Picnic table on site
- Toilets on site
- Walking track grade
- Grade 3
- A formed track with some obstacles, up to 20km. Expect short steep sections and plenty of steps. Some walking experience helps.
Graded on the Queensland Parks walking track scale. Walk with care(opens in a new tab)
- Managed by
- Sunshine Coast Council
To report damage, a hazard or another problem with the trail:
Safety
Hazards on this trail
Crossings can be slippery when wet
In an emergency, call 000. Always adventure safely!
- Always follow any local signage, it contains key information and conditions can change at any time.
- Use the trails with consideration for your abilities, be prepared for the adventure ahead:
- Be aware of the weather conditions, found here: Bureau of Meteorology — Queensland(opens in a new tab)
- Always wear appropriate clothing, focus on good footwear.
- Always bring more water than you think you will need.
- Be Sun Safe!
- Always let someone know where you are going that isn't going with you.
- Just getting started try this site for good useful information: Trail Hiking Australia — hike safety(opens in a new tab)
- Sunshine Coast Council does its best to keep this information current, but things change, so be aware that a trail may not be as listed here.
Absolutely fabulous adventure for the whole family; even little toddler legs! A nice flat walk to the waterfall. We saw tadpoles and froglets and watched the rapids. Only shame was seeing a bit of graffiti on the sign! Beautiful
Nice easy walk, limited parking. Various swimming holes to suit a daredevil to young kids.
Nearby trails
- Walking
Maleny Boardwalk: Platypus Walk
Maleny
Easy0.8 kmOne-way
4.5
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Printed from Adventure Sunshine Coast · https://adventures.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/trails/22420/gardners-falls
Always check current conditions and closures before you set out.