Kondalilla Falls

Kondalilla Falls is a waterfall of about 90 metres in Kondalilla National Park, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland of Queensland, Australia. The Kondalilla Falls circuit is 4.7 km, takes 2 to 3 hours and has more than 300 stairs, which I'll come back to because they matter. We did the walk straight after a wander around Montville, and the weather kept switching between sun and rain. This post is about how that went, what the rainforest was like, and what I'd tell anyone planning the same day. Kondalilla Falls and Montville Montville is a small village on the Blackall Range, about 90 km north of Brisbane. It's known for its cafes, galleries and shops. The buildings come in a mix of styles that includes Swiss and Bavarian, which is why some people describe it as a Swiss-style town. Kondalilla National Park is just past it, about 4 km away, so the two fit into one day easily. After Montville we went straight to Kondalilla Falls for the walk. There is a car park at the end of Kondalilla Falls Road. From there it's a short 50 metre walk downhill, with steps, to a big grassy picnic area with toilets, tables and barbecues. The walking tracks start from that picnic area. Entry to the park is free. Weather on the Sunshine Coast The weather on the Sunshine Coast is hard to pin down. We had sun for a while, then rain, then sun, then rain again. At some point we stopped waiting for it to clear up and just walked in it, so the day turned into a rainy hike. In the end it didn't ruin the walk. It's a rainforest, so wet weather suits the place. If you're planning a day here, expect the weather to change and don't count on a dry track. Inside the Rainforest The first thing I noticed once we were in the rainforest was how tall the trees are. I tried looking up to see the tops and couldn't. There were huge trees and ferns all around the track, and the air was damp and fresh. It was the kind of air that makes you breathe in properly without thinking about it. Queensland Parks lists bunya pines, piccabeen palms and pink ash among the trees you can see along the circuit. The bunya pines are the ones with the round, dome-shaped tops that stand above the rest of the forest. The Easy Start The first part felt easy. The track goes downhill from the picnic area, and we took our time. We stopped for photos, looked at the views and saw the waterfall as we went. Kondalilla is said to mean "rushing waters", and the falls are at their fullest in the summer wet season, when Skene Creek drops about 90 metres into the valley. At first I thought this was going to be a simple walk. It didn't stay that way. Climbing Back Out The track goes down into the valley first, so all of the climbing comes at the end. That's when I started to feel it. The steps kept coming, there were a lot of them, and they were wet. Queensland Parks says there are more than 300 stairs on the circuit, and by the top I believed it. I was so tired that I started wondering what I was doing out there. Rain, rainforest, a waterfall and stairs that felt like they would never finish. My legs were close to giving up by the end. Even so, I'd say the whole experience was worth it. Safety and What to Wear Shoes are the main thing. The track is slippery after rain, so wear shoes with good grip that are comfortable to walk in. If the forecast looks like ours did, I'd also take a rain jacket and enough water for a walk of two to three hours. The circuit is a Grade 3 track, which means formed track with many steps and some experience recommended. Queensland Parks asks walkers to allow enough time to finish in daylight. It also closes the walking tracks in severe wet weather because of flooding, and it says not to cross creek crossings that are under water. There is one more warning I'd repeat. Queensland Parks says a number of people have died or been permanently paralysed after slipping over waterfalls at Kondalilla and nearby parks. Stay behind the fences and follow the signs, including around the rock pools above the falls. A Shorter Option If a wet track and 300 stairs sound like too much, the Picnic Creek circuit is the easier walk in the same park. It's 1.7 km, Grade 2, and takes 45 minutes to an hour. It crosses Picnic Creek, goes through tall eucalypt forest and has a lookout over the valley. It doesn't take you down to the base of the falls, but it's a much lighter day. Practical Details Location: Kondalilla National Park, end of Kondalilla Falls Road, Montville, Sunshine Coast hinterland, Queensland Distance: about 90 km north of Brisbane (around 90 minutes by car) and about 4 km past Montville Waterfall height: about 90 m Kondalilla Falls circuit: 4.7 km, Grade 3, allow 2 to 3 hours, more than 300 stairs Picnic Creek circuit: 1.7 km, Grade 2, allow 45 minutes to 1 hour Entry: free Facilities: picnic area with toilets, tables and barbecues, 50 m downhill from the car park Dogs: not allowed Closures: walking tracks close in severe wet weather After rain: slippery track, so grippy shoes are a must Quick Answers How long is the Kondalilla Falls walk? The circuit is 4.7 km and Queensland Parks says to allow 2 to 3 hours. How hard is it? It's Grade 3. The way down is fine, but the way back up has a lot of stairs, so it's harder than it looks at the start. Is Kondalilla Falls free? Yes, there is no entry fee. Can you swim at Kondalilla Falls? People swim in the rock pools above the falls in warm weather, but the pool at the base isn't suitable for swimming. Because of the slipping deaths and injuries reported here, stay behind fences and follow the signs. Is it still worth doing in the rain? We walked it with sun and rain switching back and forth, and it was still a good day. Just expect a slippery track and wear proper shoes. How far is Kondalilla Falls from Brisbane? About 90 km, which is roughly 90 minutes by car.