Crystal Cascades
Crystal Cascades
4.5
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4.5
376 reviews
Excellent
228
Very good
129
Average
15
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Theresa H
39 contributions
Mar 2025 • Couples
Beautiful and close to cairns city by car. I have been here a couple of times- once in dry season so we were able to safely swim. My most recent trip here was in wet season- and definitely not safe to swim in due to the raging rapids— although the sight and walk was spectacular.
Written 20 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jacci454
Tauranga, New Zealand66 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
We visited the falls as we had a morning to relax. We took our togs and towels and walked up to we’re the falls are. It is a 20min walk with a gradual uphill gradient passing various areas to dip into the river.
At the end of the track the waterfall is in view and you can relax in the shade in between dips in the river. There are a lot of rocks / bolders in the river so be careful negotiating them. Other than that, enjoy the warm fresh water and relaxed time in between busy excursions whilst in the area
At the end of the track the waterfall is in view and you can relax in the shade in between dips in the river. There are a lot of rocks / bolders in the river so be careful negotiating them. Other than that, enjoy the warm fresh water and relaxed time in between busy excursions whilst in the area
Written 26 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonique Life
Australia1,858 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
This was a beautiful all around experience for us, the walk to the top is only about 1.2kms from the carpark and it is on a nice asphalt path with a slight incline. The entire path runs parallel to the river and is beautiful from start to finish with the river and falls on one side and the magical jungle cliffs on the other. You can pretty much swim at any point along the way with multiple entry points into the river.
Take caution as water levels and speeds can change during rain as always...
There is also the fairy falls, this is a little unmarked secret hiding at the top end of the carpark next to a sign warning you of stinging plants. This is also a short walk following the creek with a small amount of rock scrambling to find this little hidden gem, the falls are very pretty with a cute small water hole at the base you can swim in. As most people don’t know it’s here it is far less touristy
“Jonique Life”
Follow our journey around Australia on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube as we highlight wonderful experiences and magical places you can add to your ever growing bucket list.
Take caution as water levels and speeds can change during rain as always...
There is also the fairy falls, this is a little unmarked secret hiding at the top end of the carpark next to a sign warning you of stinging plants. This is also a short walk following the creek with a small amount of rock scrambling to find this little hidden gem, the falls are very pretty with a cute small water hole at the base you can swim in. As most people don’t know it’s here it is far less touristy
“Jonique Life”
Follow our journey around Australia on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube as we highlight wonderful experiences and magical places you can add to your ever growing bucket list.
Written 18 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NMurphy101
199 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
You could easily spend an afternoon here and not notice it, just resting in the waters or climbing up the rocks to reach the source waterfall.
With a larger area by the river, and a smaller one by the tracks through the forest, there's something for both large and small groups.
The water is clear and clean, and nothing nasty lurking below. You can sit back under the smaller falls and have it crash over your back and shoulders in almost all of the pools, and admire the picturesque forest around you.
With a larger area by the river, and a smaller one by the tracks through the forest, there's something for both large and small groups.
The water is clear and clean, and nothing nasty lurking below. You can sit back under the smaller falls and have it crash over your back and shoulders in almost all of the pools, and admire the picturesque forest around you.
Written 12 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Xen_Paul
Melbourne, Australia491 contributions
July 2022 • Family
We stumbled across the cascades during a stay at Trinity Beach. What a truly beautiful place. The swimming holes are divine and the hikes you can do up to Freshwater dam are exhilarating. I imagine it gets quite crowded in the warmer months but it was perfect on both days we came down. So so worth it. Picnics. Walking. Hiking. Swimming.
Written 21 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Onni
Warrnambool, Australia14 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
These falls are beautiful as is the surrounding waters and forrest. You can sit , walk through the cool waters of the Crystal Cascades as the water is clear and shallow and when we visited there was little to no current . There’s a bridge that you can take some great photos from and under this bridge is where you can paddle or take a dip . The walk up to the top of falls is steep and somewhat hard going . There are huge mozzies that will bite you on your hike to the top. On the day we visited the air was very heavy and oppressive once at the falls. A gorgeous spot and well worth a visit. Pack your towel and bug spray .
Written 15 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David K
Schofields, Australia29 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We went here with 3 kids (13,11,6) who were reluctant about swimming in the wild! After complaining about the walk up to the waterfall they had an awesome time exploring, jumping off rocks and sliding down rapids.
We arrived early afternoon and there were still lots of people but parking was ok and it was not hard to find some less crowded spaces.
There are deep spots and shallow spots which makes it good for all swimming levels. Some rocky parts in the water are very slippery so need to be careful.
I wouldn’t go here after heavy rain as it would get dangerous but otherwise it was a perfect afternoon out and cost nothing! The water was also nice and cool which was a nice change from the pool at the hotel.
We arrived early afternoon and there were still lots of people but parking was ok and it was not hard to find some less crowded spaces.
There are deep spots and shallow spots which makes it good for all swimming levels. Some rocky parts in the water are very slippery so need to be careful.
I wouldn’t go here after heavy rain as it would get dangerous but otherwise it was a perfect afternoon out and cost nothing! The water was also nice and cool which was a nice change from the pool at the hotel.
Written 22 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel198005
Yeppoon, Australia198 contributions
Dec 2021
This was a great place to cool off in freshwater. There was lots of different spots to swim, but we walked up as far as it went. We were also told by a local where to walk to find a little secluded swimming hole called Fairy Falls. We ended up having it all to ourselves and it was stunning.
Written 11 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris C
Melbourne, Australia4 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Awesome day out for all the family! It was hot (35oc) but the walk to the top was worth it and we had the pleasure of working our way down the hill via all the smaller pools - epic. I did make the mistake of falling on my ass three times but learnt very quickly. If the rock is green it is slippy and avoid it.
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TrekStars
Melbourne, Australia203 contributions
July 2023 • Family
Crystal Cascades is an easy drive from Cairns or the northern beaches (about 25 min).
The carpark includes toilets and change rooms.
The paved path takes about 20 min to walk and is a gentle uphill incline.
Along the way there are stairs to access the waterfalls and swimming holes. We swam at the very end of the track at the main waterfall. We wore aqua shoes but it was still slippery, and despite being confident on the rocks, I had one big fall and was lucky to not break a bone! It’s a beautiful spot that’s really fun to explore but it is dangerous.
We couldn’t get right under the waterfall as the current was too strong.
In July the water was quite fresh but okay for swimming when you got used to it. Our kids wore wetsuits.
The carpark includes toilets and change rooms.
The paved path takes about 20 min to walk and is a gentle uphill incline.
Along the way there are stairs to access the waterfalls and swimming holes. We swam at the very end of the track at the main waterfall. We wore aqua shoes but it was still slippery, and despite being confident on the rocks, I had one big fall and was lucky to not break a bone! It’s a beautiful spot that’s really fun to explore but it is dangerous.
We couldn’t get right under the waterfall as the current was too strong.
In July the water was quite fresh but okay for swimming when you got used to it. Our kids wore wetsuits.
Written 17 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I had a hire car and used google maps on my phone. Took me straight there
Written 26 September 2019
Yes you can definately swim and there are no crocs from what we were told by the locals. It’s a magnificent spot, hope you enjoy as much as we did
Written 10 October 2018
What time is it open to the public?
Written 2 June 2015
We have been there twice and there is no restrictions but at night I think that it would be a little dangerous getting down to the water as the tracks are steep and slippery.
Go during the day as you get to see how beautiful this place is.
ENJOY
Written 3 June 2015
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