CURTIS FALLS IN MT TAMBORINE – A COMPLETE GUIDE

Curtis Falls is one of my favorite waterfalls on the Gold Coast which can be explored via an easy walking trail known as the Curtis Falls track. 

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 to Curtis Falls, the best time to visit and what to expect on the Curtis Falls track. 

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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HOW TO GET TO CURTIS FALLS

Curtis Falls is located in the hinterland region of the Gold Coast known as Mt Tamborine, and the waterfall itself lies within Tamborine National Park.

→ Click here to see the pin location on Google Maps.

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 make the drive up to Curtis Falls. 

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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Curtis Falls Mt Tamborine

BEST TIME TO VISIT CURTIS FALLS

Curtis Falls Mount Tamborine is quite 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 Curtis Falls and the Curtis Falls Walk is between 8 am and 12 pm for the best lighting.

If you’re not a morning person, you can still visit Curtis Falls 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.  

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Curtis Falls Walk

ARRIVING AT CURTIS FALLS MT TAMBORINE

When you arrive at Curtis Falls, 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 Curtis Falls. 

 

 

Curtis Falls Cafe

The trailhead to Curtis Falls

Beginning of the Curtis Falls track

CURTIS FALLS TRACK

The Curtis Falls track 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 Curtis 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 visit Curtis Falls plus 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 Curtis Falls 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 at Curtis Falls

Clear signposts at Curtis Falls Mt Tamborine

On the way down to Curtis Falls

At the base of Curtis Falls

 

WHAT TO EXPECT AT CURTIS FALLS

When you come to a T-section in the trail, you will see a signpost that says Curtis Falls 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 Curtis 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 Curtis Falls Mount Tamborine, you will be in awe! Tropical ferns and hanging vines envelop Curtis Falls 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 at Curtis Falls.

Taking a dip at Curtis Falls Mt Tamborine

Viewpoint at Curtis Falls Tamborine Mountain

 

LOWER CREEK CIRCUIT TRAIL

Once you’ve enjoyed marveling at Curtis Falls, 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, Curtis Falls, 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 for Curtis Falls and this will take you back to the parking lot located in front of Curtis Falls Cafe.

 

 

Curtis Falls Track

Concrete bridges on the Lower Creek Circuit

More waterfalls and rock pools

Curtis Falls walking track

Rainforest canopy in Tamborine National Park

Signpost on the Curtis Falls walking track

FINAL THOUGHTS OF CURTIS FALLS TAMBORINE

I have visited Curtis Falls many times 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. 

Curtis Falls is 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! 

 

CURTIS FALLS MAP

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