Kondalilla Falls is one of the best and most popular waterfalls on the Sunshine Coast.
Located near the small village of Montville, Kondalilla Falls is an awe-inspiring natural attraction that is not to be missed when visiting Kondalilla National Park.
There is not just one but two epic waterfalls that can be explored via a moderate walking trail known as the Kondalilla Falls Circuit. The circuit trail is a 4.8km return hike that takes the average person approximately 1½ – 2 hours to complete.
I have put together this ultimate guide on how to get to Kondailla Falls, the best time to visit and what to expect on the Kondalilla Falls Circuit trail.
Also, at the bottom of this Kondalilla Falls guide, I have included some useful information on where to stay on the Sunshine Coast, a list of recommended tours and links to my other east coast Australia travel guides that you might like to check out!
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WHERE IS KONDALILLA FALLS & HOW TO GET THERE
Kondalilla Waterfalls is located in Kondalilla National Park just 35-40 minutes drive inland from Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast.
→ Click here to see the pin location on Google Maps.
There are no public transport options available to reach Kondalilla Falls so you will need to have your own vehicle to visit.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT KONDALILLA FALLS
The best time to visit Kondalilla Falls 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 Kondalilla Falls at any time during the day, just make sure to allow yourself enough time to complete the Kondalilla Falls walk before dark which is 1½ – 2 hours.
Kondalilla Falls is a very popular tourist attraction and it can get quite busy on the weekends. If you can time your visit to Kondalilla Falls for a weekday, you’ll most likely get to enjoy it with fewer people.
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ARRIVING AT KONDALILLA NATIONAL PARK
When you arrive at Kondalilla National Park, you’ll find a large parking lot with plenty of free parking spaces available which is conveniently located at the entrance to the Kondalilla Falls Circuit.
There are also toilet amenities and picnic areas near the parking lot that you can make use of before and after your Kondalilla Falls adventure.
Kondalilla Falls parking lot
Picnic area at Kondalilla Falls Montville
KONDALILLA FALLS CIRCUIT TRAIL
The Kondalilla Falls Circuit trail is clearly signposted with a number of viewpoints along the way that offer spectacular views of Kondalilla National Park.
Kondalilla Falls Circuit is a 4.8km moderate hike that leads right down to the base of the main falls and back up again, taking around 1½ – 2 hours to complete.
If you don’t want to do the entire 4.8km Kondalilla Falls Circuit, there are shorter trails available such as the Picnic Creek Circuit, 2.4km return (45 minutes) and the Rock Pools Walk, 3.2km return (1 hour).
Kondalilla Falls Circuit is a combination of concrete steps and dirt trails that will lead you through the lush sub-tropical rainforest in Kondalilla National Park.
There are some fun obstacles on the way down to Kondalilla Falls that you will encounter such as hanging tree vines, flowing streams, and small bridge crossings, all of which add to the exciting experience!
RELATED ARTICLE → BUDERIM FALLS SUNSHINE COAST
Kondalilla Falls Circuit information
Kondalilla Falls walk
Clear signposts at Kondalilla Falls
Creek crossings at Kondalilla Falls
Kondalilla National Park Lookout
Kondalilla Falls Walk
KONDALILLA FALLS ROCK POOLS
The first spot you’ll come to on the Kondalilla Falls walk is a large natural rock pool and swimming area. It’s the perfect opportunity to take a rest, rehydrate and go for a refreshing dip.
At the top end of the rock pool is a small waterfall that can be explored and the discharge of water is not too powerful so you can swim directly beneath it which makes for the perfect outdoor shower.
This set of falls sometimes gets mistaken for Kondalilla Falls, but this is just the halfway mark of the circuit.
Waterproof Shoes: Definitely consider purchasing a pair of waterproof shoes! It’s likely you’ll visit at least one waterfall or partake in some watersports during your travels and these comfortable, anti-slip, quick-dry shoes are perfect for all water activities.
Please note that the natural swimming hole is quite shallow so I wouldn’t recommend doing any rock jumping at this particular spot.
There’s also an epic viewpoint here that overlooks a fair chunk of Kondalilla National Park so be sure to get your camera out for some happy snaps.
The rock pools and waterfall
The freshwater swimming hole
Taking a dip – Kondalilla Waterfalls
The view of Kondalilla National Park
THE MAIN FALLS
Once you’ve enjoyed some time at the rock pools, continue along the Kondalilla Falls Circuit trail for another 20 minutes or so until you reach the base of the main falls.
Kondalilla Falls stands tall at 80 meters and the flow of water from the above stream gushes down a slate rock face and into a shallow basin below. The aboriginal meaning of Kondalilla is in fact ‘rushing water’.
It’s not recommended to go swimming here but you can spend a moment marveling at the falls and hear the calming sounds of the forest around you.
The hike back up the ridge takes around 20 minutes to reach the rock pools again (you may want to take another dip to cool off) and from here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit trail leads back to the parking lot which completes this epic adventure!
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Kondalilla Falls Lookout
Kondalilla Falls Walk
Signposts in Kondalilla National Park
The main falls at Kondalilla Falls
Kondalilla Falls Circuit
KONDALILLA FALLS MAP
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WHERE TO STAY ON SUNSHINE COAST
The Sunshine Coast is a popular tourist hub meaning there is no shortage of accommodation options. It’s first in, best-dressed, especially in the peak holiday season which is between December and February.
I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay on the Sunshine Coast to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
LUXURY: BREEZE MOOLOOLABA
MID RANGE: NIGHTCAP AT GOLDEN BEACH TAVERN
BUDGET: BEACH HOSTEL MOOLOOLABA
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN SUNSHINE COAST, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
BEST SUNSHINE COAST TOURS
BEST TIME TO VISIT SUNSHINE COAST
The Sunshine Coast is one of the only places on the East Coast of Australia that sees glorious sunshine almost all year round.
If you want the best of the best conditions weatherwise, I recommend visiting the Sunshine Coast between May and October (Autumn – Spring) which is most ideal for beach bumming, nature walks and water sports.
Summer on the Sunshine Coast is between December and February which sees hot temperatures and a lot of rainfall.
LONELY PLANET – AUSTRALIA
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AIRBNB SUNSHINE COAST
Another option for accommodation on the Sunshine Coast is to stay at an Airbnb, which generally has some great deals near Kondalilla Falls!
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MORE AUSTRALIA TRAVEL GUIDES
- Gold Coast: 3 Day Gold Coast Itinerary
- Gold Coast: 11 Best Gold Coast Beaches
- Springbrook: Springbrook Waterfalls
- Currumbin: Currumbin Rock Pools
- Brisbane: Things To Do In Brisbane
- Byron Bay: Things To Do In Byron Bay
- Sydney: Things To Do In Sydney
- Melbourne: Things To Do In Melbourne
- Fraser Island: Fraser Island Day Trip
WHAT TO PACK FOR KONDALILLA FALLS
Everyday Backpack: One of the best backpacks on the market! The Nomatic 20L Backpack is perfect for on the go adventures. Featuring multiple storage spaces for valuables, drink bottles, chargers, notebooks and more. This sleek backpack was designed for you.
Universal Power Adapter: Don’t leave home without one! I highly recommend getting this Universal Power Adapter so that you are able to charge all of your electronics when you’re on the road. Compatible in Asia, UK, Europe, Africa, USA, SA and Australia.
Hidden Money Belt: I never go on a trip without one! The best thing is they are always out of sight, hidden beneath your clothing. With RFID blocking, they are perfectly designed to keep your credit cards, cash and other valuables safe when you’re out adventuring!
Waterproof Phone Case: A waterproof phone case is a must-have item! This universal case will keep your phone safe from water damage, sand and scratches during your adventures. Suitable for all smartphone models.
Portable Charger: One of the best portable chargers on the market! The Anker Power Bank keeps your phone and accessories charged on those longer adventures. Featuring 2 USB charging ports, rechargeable battery, works with iPhone, iPad, Samsung, Oppo and Android.
Microfibre Travel Towel: To pack a towel or not to pack a towel? A standard bathroom towel can take up a lot of space in your travel bag. Get your hands on a quick-dry Microfibre Travel Towel which is perfect for the beach, backpacking, camping and general traveling.
Rain Jacket: A light-weight rain jacket is an absolute must when traveling! North Face waterproof rain jackets come in both men and women sizes, featuring a breathable mesh lining and adjustable hood that can be tucked away inside the collar.
Kindle: The best alternative for books! Kindle e-readers are perfect for long haul flights, reading on the beach or a quiet evening away from the bars. Kindle’s are waterproof with rechargeable batteries and adjustable light settings to suit indoor/outdoor conditions.
Packing Cubes: My favorite item in my backpack! Perfect for organizing your shirts, pants, jackets, socks, underwear and more. This 5 Set Packing Cubes makes packing easier and more efficient, adding extra space in your bag for your next trip.
Activated Charcoal Tablets: Want to avoid food poisoning? Most of us have been a victim of travelers diarrhea from eating street food. Organic Activated Charcoal Tablets are fast-acting and will rid your system of the bad bacteria that causes stomach upset.
MY CAMERA GEAR
Everyday Camera: The most affordable mirrorless camera on the market! I personally use the Sony A7ii Mirrorless Camera on all of my adventures. It’s compact, lightweight and super easy to use for all levels of photography. A 28-70mm Sony lens is also included.
Drone Camera: Take your photography to new heights! The DJI Mavic Pro 2 Drone is at the top of the game when it comes to high-quality images and video, easy to control functions and traveler-friendly capabilities. I guarantee you won’t regret purchasing one.
GoPro Hero 8: One of the most popular cameras on the planet! I love using the GoPro Hero 8 for all of my underwater shots and fast-paced adventures. The GoPro Hero 8 captures the best moments with its wide range of functions that are very simple to use!
Camera Bag: My favorite camera bag I have ever owned! The Lowepro Protactic 450 AW II Camera Bag features a waterproof rain cover, drink bottle holder, padded compartments for cameras, drones, lenses, accessories and it also has a laptop pocket.
Selfie Stick: Everyone loves a good selfie, right!? The Sandmarc Metal Edition Selfie Stick is sleek, stylish and can extend to 1.2m. I find it much easier to take photos and videos with the GoPro when it is mounted to the Sandmarc Selfie Stick!
Camera Tripod: The Joby GorillaPod is suitable for all cameras. This tripod is easy to use and perfect for setting up a time-lapse video or even using it as a selfie stick. The legs are flexible so you can wrap it around a tree or a pole to get creative with your shot.
GoPro Dome: Have you ever wanted to capture those under/over water shots with the GoPro? This epic underwater GoPro dome housing is the best camera accessory to have to create the perfect 50/50 shot. I use mine every time I am in the ocean!
Memory Card: The best thing about SanDisk Extreme Pro is that it delivers maximum speed for images and videos. Having 64GB of storage means that you can store hundreds of files on this SD card for 2-3 days and not have to worry about running out of space.
External Hard Drive: As a photographer, my images and video files take up a lot of space on my MacBook so I use the WD Elements External Hard Drive to store everything. With 4TB worth of storage space, this is more than enough for 1 years worth of content.
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MY SHOP
Before you go from this Kondalilla Falls post, don’t forget to check out My Online Shop!
I’ve got a wide range of digital 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 OF KONDALILLA WATERFALL
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions about Kondalilla Falls, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can!
Happy Adventuring!
