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Guide to Tchupala Falls & Wallicher Falls –  Wooroonooran National Park

Guide to Tchupala Falls & Wallicher Falls – Wooroonooran National Park

A quick guide to visiting Tchupala Falls and Wallicher Falls in Wooroonooran National Park. Everything you need to know including how to get to the trailhead, what to expect & photos of the waterfalls.

Tchupala Falls and Wallicher Falls are two waterfalls located in the tropical Wooroonooran National Park in Far North Queensland, Australia.

Although they’re not as popular as other waterfalls in the area like Josephine Falls or Nandroya Falls, they offer bang-for-buck for the adventure lover, who’ll get two waterfalls on the same short, scenic rainforest hike!

Wallicher Falls, Henrietta Creek, Far North Queensland, Australia
Wallicher Falls
Tchupalla Falls, Henrietta Creek, Far North Queensland, Australia
Tchupala Falls

Best Cairns Outdoor Experiences

Travel tip: By far, the best islands for snorkeling in Cairns are the Frankland Islands (pristine reef). There is only one boat trip allowed to stop on these islands and you can book this directly with BackpackerDeals + use code OLLY5 to get $5 off.


About Wallicher Falls and Tchupala Falls

Wallicher Falls (also spelled Wallacha) and Tchupala Falls are located quite close together and are both fed from Henrietta Creek. These falls share the same trailhead, which splits in a Y-junction near the start of the trail.

While not the most popular waterfalls in the Cairns region, they are certainly very beautiful. The rainforest trail is also very scenic, and you'll likely have both of these falls to yourself!

Tchupala Falls, Far North Queenl

How to Get to Tchupala Falls and Wallicher Falls

To get to these epic waterfalls, you'll need your own car. While there are several guided tours (above) that run tours from Cairns to Wooroonooran National Park and the surrounding waterfalls, I don't know any that visit these particular waterfalls.

Expect a roughly 1.5-hour drive from Cairns, following the Palmerstone Highway through the Wooroonooran National Park on the way to Millaa Millaa and the Atherton Tablelands.

You'll want to continue into the Palmerston (Doongan) area, passing the popular Mamu Tropical Skywalk and Crawfords Lookout. If you keep your eyes peeled to the right side of the road, you'll notice a small sign that points to the hike and waterfalls. Additionally, there's a small pull-over space here to park your car.

If you make it to the Henrietta Creek Camp Ground (the start of the Nandroya Falls hike), then you've come too far. Head back roughly 2.5 kilometers and you'll see the sign.

Below you'll find the pin for the location of the trailhead. Again, it's very easy to miss and mobile reception isn't too great in the area. I'd suggest configuring the route to Tchupala Falls and Wallicher Falls before you get too far into the National Park.

Tchupala & Wallicher Falls Map

You can also download a map of the surrounding area to help you orientate yourself for the waterfall hikes.


Don't Miss: Wankaroo Falls


Hiking Trail to Wallicher Falls and Tchupala Falls

Once you park your car, you'll notice a trailhead sign indicating the start of the track.

Both waterfall tracks branch off the same starting trail, with Wallicher Falls to the left, and Tchupala to the right after approximately 100 meters.

Hiking to Tchupala Falls

Tchupala Falls Track - What to Expect

If you only have time for one waterfall, then I'd probably recommend Tchupala Falls. We found this waterfall trail by chance for the first time in 2018 after exploring nearby Nandroya Falls and we were completely blown away. My personal favorite was Tchupala Falls, but considering the close distance, you may as well check both out!

The track winds right after the turn, following a trail through dense tropical rainforest and up a steep ridge. After approximately 600 metres, you'll reach the top level of Tchupala Falls, which is a wide rainforest waterfall fed by Henrietta Creek.

Read more: Ultimate List of the Best Hikes in Cairns

Tchupala Falls in Far North Queensland
Top level of Tchupala Falls
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The Closed Waterfall Trail

Tchupala Falls actually has three major levels, each as incredible as the last. Unfortunately though, due to the devastating power of the waterfalls in the wet season, the path is now closed.

There are several signs telling travelers not to continue down to the lower levels, however, after reviewing the conditions, we decided to explore anyway.

The trails were completely abandoned, and it seemed they had been like that for years. The old rails are now covered by thick vines and the carved rock steps are swallowed by dirt and moss.

Walking in the Wooroonooran National Park, Australia
Waterfall hiking trail near the Atherton Tablelands
Standing beneath the bottom falls at Tchupala Waterfall

Tchupala Falls - The Lower Tiers

The track down to the lower waterfall levels was very slippery and steep. However, after reaching the bottom, we took time to admire the sheer power and beauty of the place. There were waterfalls on each side and steep limestone cliffs covered in thick vines and rainforest flora.

TCHUPALA FALLS, WATERFALLS IN CAIRNS, BEST CAIRNS FALLS, CAIRNS ATTRACTIONS, TO DO
The bottom level of Tchupala Falls
Tchupala Falls second tier
Tchupala Falls - the second tier

I am in no way encouraging anybody to hike on closed trails. The flowing rivers can be extremely unpredictable and dangerous. You'll need to take extreme caution and make your own judgments.

The Wallicher Falls Track - What to Expect

If you have time, then it's also worth checking out Wallicher Falls on the same track. Instead of turning right at the first fork, turn left and continue on for about 1 kilometer. Soon, you'll reach a lookout point where you'll get great views of the powerful Wallicher Falls.

Unlike Tchupala Falls, Wallicher Falls is only a single-level waterfall. However, it's still very impressive and I would imagine it to have some serious power in the wet, rainy season.

If you want a closer view, then you can walk down the steep track just in front of the viewing platform.

Wallicher Falls in the Wooroonooran National Park, Cairns
Best viewpoint on the Wallicher Falls Track
Wallicher Falls in the Wooroonooran National Park, Cairns
Great Barrier Reef aerial photograph near Cairns, Australia

50+ More Cairns Bucketlist Items

Continuing On the Palmerston Track

From Wallicher Falls, you can continue hiking all the way around to Gooligans Picnic Area and Henrietta Creek Campground.

The track is a little long, and you won't see any more waterfalls along the way. However, you could certainly spend an entire day walking the loop and checking out Nandroya Falls and Silver Creek Falls on the way.

Rainforest walking track in Far North Queensland
Rainforest walking track to Wallicher Falls and Tchupala Falls, Queensland
Rainforest Creek on the Palmerstone Track in Far North Queensland, Australia

Cairns Accommodation Guide – Where to Stay

Visiting Cairns? The best places to stay are near the Cairns Esplanade or on the sunny Northern Beaches. Below are the top 4 options for varying budgets.

  • Crystalbrook Riley - If luxury and location are what you're after, you can't beat the Crystalbrook Riley. This is the best 5-star resort in Cairns and features absolutely everything you'd expect from a Crystalbrook resort.
  • Fitzroy Island Resort - Sleep out on one of the picturesque Great Barrier Reef Islands at Fitzroy Island Resort. Spending the night on the island can work out cheaper than staying in town and means you get more time to explore the reef, coral beaches and rainforest walking trails.
  • Gilligan's Backpackers - The best backpacker option for a great vibe in Cairns. Great place to meet like-minded travelers and has facilities including a pool. air-con, a huge shared kitchen, and a great common area!
  • Pepper's Beach Club - stay at the best beach resort in the heart of Palm Cove on the Cairns Northern Beaches!

For a bigger list, don't miss my Cairns accommodation guide or as an alternative stay in FNQ, read my Port Douglas Accommodation guide too.

Girl sunbathing at Crystalbrook Riley resort in Cairns
Backpacker hostel in Cairns, Australia

MORE PHOTOS OF TCHUPALA FALLS AND WALLICHER FALLS

Tchupalla Falls, Wallicher Falls Track in Wooroonooran National Park, Far North Queensland, Australia
Hiking in Wooroonooran National Park
Wallicher Falls, Queensland
Hiking in Far North Queensland Rainforest

More Cairns Waterfalls, Hikes & Adventure Guides

I hope that you enjoyed this quick guide to visiting Tchupala Falls and Wallicher Falls in the Wooroonooran National Park. For more travel guides and adventure inspiration, check out some of my other blogs for Far North Queensland below.

Tchupala Falls and Wallicher Falls in Far North Queensland