I looooooove Josephine Falls.
It is gorgeous. Even though it always seems to rain when we go…
But what I love almost as much as getting to the water is the walk in.
Because this is not one of those places where you park the car, walk fifty metres and take a photo.
You actually get to walk through the rainforest first.
And we have seen some incredible wildlife along the way.
Including cassowaries!
The walk is part of the experience
The trail into Josephine Falls is paved, which makes the whole thing feel wonderfully easy.
You are walking through dense tropical rainforest, listening to birds and looking for movement in the trees.
We have spotted monitor lizards.
All kinds of birds.
And yes, cassowaries.
Seeing a cassowary in the wild while you are walking to a waterfall is one of those moments where you suddenly remember that Far North Queensland is slightly ridiculous in the best possible way.
Just give them space and enjoy the fact that you got lucky enough to see one. If you walk quietly, they might walk out in front of you. And if you hear a deep bass rumble through the rainforest…. they are nearby!
Then you get to the water
Josephine Falls is beautiful.
The water comes down through huge smooth rocks surrounded by rainforest, and the lower swimming area is one of those places that instantly makes you want to get in.
This is why we come here.
Walk through rainforest.
Get hot.
Get in very cold freshwater.
Perfecttttt!
There are several viewing areas along the way too, so even if you are not swimming, the walk is worth doing just to see the falls from different levels.
Wildlife spotting makes the whole walk better
We are always looking around here.
Not in a forced “today we shall observe wildlife” way.
Just because there is always something happening.
Monitor lizards disappear into the forest.
Birds move through the canopy.
And every now and then you get the ultimate Far North Queensland surprise and a cassowary appears.
The trick is to slow down.
If you are power-walking to the waterfall with your eyes on the pavement, you miss half the fun.
Don’t have a car to get there?
We recommend booking a tour. They’ll take you to all our fav waterfall spots, handle lunch, plus a few extra fun spots!
This pairs perfectly with Golden Hole
One reason I like Josephine Falls as part of a bigger morning is that Golden Hole is right nearby.
Josephine is fantastic for swimming and walking through the rainforest.
What it does not really have is the kind of huge grassy area where I want to spread out and have a long picnic afterward.
So we usually do both.
Swim and walk at Josephine Falls.
Then drive over to Golden Hole, get the picnic out and sit on the grass.
That combination makes a really lovely half-day south of Cairns.
How to get there from Cairns
From Cairns, head south on the Bruce Highway toward Mirriwinni.
Josephine Falls is around 75 kilometres south of Cairns.
Just south of Mirriwinni, turn off the highway toward Josephine Falls and follow the signs for roughly 8 kilometres until you reach the car park.
From there, follow the paved walking track through the rainforest to the falls and swimming area.
My tip
Do not rush the walk.
The falls will still be there.
Look into the rainforest.
Look up.
Listen.
We have had some of our best wildlife sightings simply because we were paying attention on the way in and let other groups pass.
Then have your swim and head over to Golden Hole for lunch afterward.
That is my kind of morning.
Indy’s take
Go here for: Rainforest, freshwater swimming, waterfalls, wildlife and an easy paved walk.
What we love: The walk in almost as much as the falls themselves.
Wildlife we have seen: Cassowaries, monitor lizards and plenty of rainforest birds.
Pair it with: Golden Hole for a picnic afterward.
Good to know: Follow the marked track and use the designated lower swimming area when it is open.
Would we go back? Absolutely. This is one of my favourites south of Cairns.
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