Curtis Falls is one of the best waterfalls on the Gold Coast which can be explored via an easy walking trail.
Located at the top of Tamborine Mountain, Curtis Falls is an awe-inspiring natural attraction that is not to be missed when visiting Tamborine National Park.
In this guide, I have included useful information on how to get here, the best time to visit, and what to expect when you arrive.
Also, at the bottom of this post, you will find my recommendations on where to stay in Mount Tamborine, a list of fun-fuelled Gold Coast tours, and links to more of my Gold Coast travel guides that you might like to check out!
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Table of Contents
WHERE IS CURTIS FALLS?
Curtis Falls is located on Tamborine Mountain in the Gold Coast hinterland. The waterfall itself lies within Tamborine National Park.
Click here to see the location on Google Maps.
HOW TO GET HERE
From the main tourist hub on the Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise), it’s approximately a 45-minute drive to reach Curtis Falls Mt Tamborine. From the southern end of the Gold Coast (Coolangatta), the journey time is around 1-hour.
There is no public transport to access Mount Tamborine so you will need to have your own vehicle to visit.
The road leading out to Mount Tamborine is unbelievably scenic so I urge you not to rush and soak in the nature that surrounds this area.
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Marveling at the falls
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Curtis Waterfall is a popular tourist attraction and it can get quite busy on the weekends. If you can time your visit for a weekday, you will get to enjoy it with fewer people.
The best time to visit is between 8 am and 12 pm for the best lighting from the sun.
If you’re not a morning person, you can still visit at any time during the day, just make sure to allow yourself enough time if you wish to complete the Curtis Falls track which takes up to 1.5 hours.
RELATED ARTICLE → 3 DAY GOLD COAST ITINERARY
Jungle vibes
ARRIVING AT MT TAMBORINE
When you arrive at the jump-off point, there is a parking lot in front of Curtis Falls Cafe with around a dozen free spaces where you can park your car safely.
From here, the trailhead is clearly signposted and it’s a short 10-15 minute walk through the rainforest to reach the falls.
The Cafe
The trailhead to the falls
Beginning of the trail
CURTIS FALLS TRACK
The track own to the falls is a combination of stone steps, dirt trails, wooden boardwalks, and concrete bridges that will lead you through the lush rainforest that makes up Tamborine National Park.
Follow the signs to the falls which is a short 10-15 minute easy walk from the parking lot and there a number of viewpoints along the way that offer spectacular views of the rainforest and the canopy above.
If you wish to venture along the Lower Creek Circuit as well, it’s an easy 1.6km return walk that takes no more than 1.5 hours including stops to go swimming and take photos.
There are some interesting sites to keep an eye out for on the walk such as hanging tree vines, flowing streams, enormous fig-trees, lookout points, and small bridge crossings, all of which add to the exciting adventure!
Epic viewpoints in the forest
Clear signposts
On the way to the falls
At the base of Curtis Waterfall
WHAT TO EXPECT
When you come to a T-section in the trail, you will see a signpost that says Curtis Waterfall 105m to the left and Lower Circuit Trail 1.6km return to the right.
I recommend turning left at this point, which will lead you right into the natural amphitheater at the base of the falls, then come back to this point and follow the signs for the Lower Creek Circuit trail.
When you arrive at the viewpoint and first lay eyes on the falls, you will be in awe! Tropical ferns and hanging vines envelop the waterfall and a fallen-over tree trunk lies on one side of the basin.
The water flows down from the stream above and discharges effortlessly over a rock face, creating a silvery-like curtain of falls that fills a large catch basin below.
RELATED ARTICLE → SPRINGBROOK WATERFALLS
It is safe to go swimming in the freshwater pool to cool off after the hike down and you can even swim out to a dry rock that lies in the middle.
The swimming area beneath the falls is quite shallow around the edges so I wouldn’t recommend doing any rock jumping into the basin.
There is also a dirt track on the left-hand side of the viewpoint that leads to a rocky cave behind the falls. From here you can get another cool perspective looking out over the basin.
Taking a refreshing dip
The viewpoint of the falls
LOWER CREEK CIRCUIT TRAIL
Once you’ve enjoyed marveling at Curtis Waterfall, continue the adventure along the Lower Creek Circuit trail which is a 1.6km return walk.
The Lower Creek Circuit is just as impressive as the main attraction, in my opinion.
This trail will take you deep into the rainforest, crossing over streams, weaving in and out of towering fig trees, and emerging at a turquoise-colored rockpool at the bottom of the valley.
Along the Lower Creek Circuit, I urge you to stop, look, listen and enjoy the tranquility of the rainforest here in Tamborine National Park.
There are several small rock pools along the way where you can take the opportunity to go for a refreshing dip and gaze up at the mesmerizing canopy above.
When you reach the end of the trail on the Lower Creek Circuit, follow the signs and this will take you back to the parking lot located in front of the Cafe.
Lower Creek Circuit
Bridges on the Lower Creek Circuit
More waterfalls and rock pools
Rainforest walking track
Rainforest canopy in Tamborine National Park
Signpost on the track
WHERE TO STAY IN MT TAMBORINE
Tamborine Mountain has dozens of accommodations to choose from so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best-recommended places to stay in Mt Tamborine with options suited for small families, budget backpackers, and luxury travelers.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: CURTIS FALLS COTTAGE
Mid Range: MT TAMBORINE MOTEL
Budget: TALL TREES MOTEL
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN MT TAMBORINE, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
AIRBNB MOUNT TAMBORINE
Another option for accommodation is to stay in an Airbnb, which generally has some great deals!
Use the search box below to search for all available Airbnb’s in Tamborine Mountain.
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OTHER GOLD COAST ATTRACTIONS
There are so many things to do on the Gold Coast you could spend months here and not run out of things to do.
See the list below for some other Gold Coast tourist spots that you might like to check out:
- Gold Coast Theme Parks
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
- Aquaduck Safari
- Hot Air Balloon Ride
- Tamborine Mountain
- Indoor Skydiving
Hot Air Balloon Gold Coast
MORE AUSTRALIA TRAVEL GUIDES
The east coast of Australia boasts awesome beaches, lakes, waterfalls, hikes, and many more fun-fuelled adventures waiting to be had!
This is what Australia is all about and what I aim to share with you in my destination guides.
Click on the links below to see more related posts:
- Hamilton Island: 10 Things To Do In Hamilton Island
- Agnes Water: 17 Things To Do In Agnes Water
- Yeppoon: 10 Best Beaches In Yeppoon
- Brisbane: Things To Do In Brisbane
- Gold Coast: 3 Day Gold Coast Itinerary
- Fraser Island: Fraser Island Day Trip
- Byron Bay: Things To Do In Byron Bay
- Crescent Head: 9 Things To Do In Crescent Head
- Forster: 7 Things To Do In Forster
- Port Macquarie: 7 Best Beaches In Port Macquarie
- Sydney: Things To Do In Sydney
- Kiama NSW: 3 Awesome Things To Do In Kiama
- Melbourne: Things To Do In Melbourne
LONELY PLANET AUSTRALIA
One of the best books to take on your trip is the Lonely Planet Australia Guide!
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JOIN MY FACEBOOK COMMUNITY
Do you have any questions about this beautiful waterfall?
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MY SHOP
Before you go from this post, don’t forget to check out My Online Shop.
I’ve got a wide range of products for sale and I’m sure you’ll find something that will come in handy during your travels.
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FINAL THOUGHTS
I have visited this waterfall on many occasions in my teenage years (that’s right, I was born and bred on the Gold Coast) and I’m so glad I revisited this epic spot to put together this adventure guide for you to follow.
It’s the perfect place to go to escape the hustle and bustle of Gold Coast City and spend a day adventuring and relaxing in nature with your friends and family!
I guarantee that you will enjoy this place as much as I have and feel free to let me know how your experience goes in the comments below.
Happy Adventuring!
Hey, I’m Jonny – surfer, skater, photographer, and coffee-lover from Australia!
With a burning passion for travel and the outdoors, I launched this Adventure Travel Blog in 2017, and I’ve been exploring the world ever since!
My little corner of the interwebs is a space where I love to share all of my epic adventures, cultural experiences, and captivating photos from around the globe with the ultimate goal to inspire and motivate other like-minded travelers to explore this wonderful earth too!
