About Malanda Falls

Park features

Malanda Falls, on the North Johnstone River, tumbles over basalt rock formed by an ancient lava flow that spread from the Mount Hypipamee area 15km away.

There are two short walks through the surrounding remnant rainforest. The tulip oak walk features signs written and designed by the local Aboriginal people. The signs tell of the Aboriginal and European history of the area and of the Ngadjon-Jii culture and lifestyle. The rainforest circuit walk follows the river before winding back through the forest. Look for platypus, fish and turtles from the viewing deck over the river, and learn some of the many tree species that make up the forest. See things to do for more information on these walks.

The Tableland Regional Council's Malanda Falls Scenic Reserve adjoins the conservation park. The reserve has toilets, picnic tables, shelters, barbecues and water access points.

Read more about the nature, culture and history of Malanda Falls Conservation Park.

Looking after the park

• Stay on walking tracks, as taking short cuts leads to erosion and adjacent areas may be unstable.
• Everything in the park is protected—leave everything as you found it.
• Please take rubbish with you when you leave the park and help by picking up rubbish left by others.
• Feeding wildlife can affect the health of the animals and alter the natural population balance. Please don't feed the wildlife.

Spotlighting

A well-planned spotlight activity will deliver great results with very little effort or impact on the environment. Here are a few things that will make the experience memorable.

• Keep bulb wattage to 30 or less. This increases the chance of finding animals (by not warning them) and extends viewing time.
• Bring binoculars for better viewing.
• Use many senses to find wildlife. Look for eye shine, listen for leaves rustling and inhale the smells.
• Use a white light to explore the forest, and then add a red or orange filter to view wildlife (cellophane is useful).
• Remember loud voices and sounds scare away wildlife.
• Never train lights on nesting birds—it can cause distress.

See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks

Park management

Malanda Falls was initially gazetted as an environmental park on 25 November 1989. In December 1994, it was converted to a conservation park. The park is 19.12ha in size.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) manages the conservation park to:

• protect the park's natural condition
• ensure rare and threatened species are protected
• provide facilities for minimal impact and nature-based recreation
• protect it from overuse
• concentrate human activity in less sensitive areas
• help visitors enjoy the park's special attractions.

The traditional culture and country of the Ngadjon-Jii has been formally recognised in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ngadjon-Jii and QPWS. This MoU recognises the link Ngadjon-Jii have with their country and forms the basis for communication protocols for management of Malanda Falls and other places of significance.

Tourism information links

Malanda Falls Visitor Centre
www.trc.qld.gov.au/explore/visitor-centres
132 Malanda-Atherton Road, Malanda QLD 4885
ph (07) 4089 2583
email malandafallsvic@trc.qld.gov.au

Atherton Visitor Information Centre
Corner Silo Road and Main Street, Atherton QLD 4883
ph 1300 366 361
email athinfocentre@trc.qld.gov.au

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.