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Must See Waterfalls



Elabana Falls

 

Elabana Falls

Elabana Falls is Lamington National Park iconic waterfall. Elabana Falls, Boxlog Falls, Darragumai Falls and Nugurin Falls are found along Box Forest circuit. Enjoy 4 hours return walk and opportunity to visit 4 waterfalls at once and swim in Picnic Rock waterhole.

Driving and walking conditions

GPS of the view point: S 28° 14.601' E 153° 09.164'
Parking: O‘Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, Lamington National Park Rd, O'Reilly
Vehicle type: All vehicle types Track type: Walking track
Road type: Sealed Return track duration: 4hrs 

Waterfall parameters

Waterfall height: 25m Type of the waterfall: Horsetail

Rating:       ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
GPS:          S 28° 14.601' E 153° 09.164'
Parking:     O‘Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, Lamington National Park Rd, O'Reilly
Access:     4hrs  return walk


Walking and driving instructions

 

Elabana Falls is roughly a 1.5 hours’ drive away from Gold Coast. From Gold Coast travel north-west on the State Road 24 (Ashmore Rd) until you reach an intersection with SR 20 (Southport Nerang Rd). Turn left onto SR 20. SR 20 eventually becomes SR 90. Keep to the SR 90 until you reach intersection with SR 97 (Nerang Murwilumbah Rd). Follow SR 97 for the next 21.7 km, then turn left onto well-signposted Lamington National Park Rd. Follow this road for the next 35.5km until you reach a huge car park. The road is a typical sealed winding road, which sometimes becomes 1-lane only. Take extreme care while driving. This road is not recommended for caravans, but it’s ok for short campervans/motorhomes.

The car park at the end of the road has all sorts of facilities, including i-Site, café, toilets, picnic tables and even a campsite with hot showers.

Elabana Falls, Boxlog Falls, Darragumai Falls and Nugurin Falls are found along Box Forest circuit – 10.9 km, 4hrs. From the parking follow Border Track for 3.2km (35-45 minutes) until you reach a track’s junction. Box Forest circuit branches from the Border Track and it’s recommended to be walked in a clock-wise direction. The track descends to the Canungra Creek where you’ll reach the first waterfall – Nugurin Falls, then Darragumai Falls. Both these waterfalls are more cascades rather than falls. From here the track crosses the creek a couple of times (could be impassable after heavy rain) and then emerges to a short side track which leads to the Boxlog Falls. From here, follow the main route until you reach Elabana Falls. Elabana Falls is a park iconic waterfall and a very popular spot in the park. The falls consist of the upper waterfall (horsetail type) and the lower cascade. You can, with care, climb on the top of the lower cascade.

From here it’s a 2 minutes’ walk to the Picnic Rock – excellent place for swim and picnic. From here the trail goes back to the Border Track which brings you back to the parking. Total walking time is 3.5-4 hrs. If you want to visit Elabana Falls only then you can safe 1-1.5hrs by walking the track in an anti-clock-wise direction (as soon as you reach Elabana Falls - return via the same track, don’t walk it as a circuit).

Elabana Falls is a permanent waterfall. Best time to visit – after decent rain, or Jan to Mar.


Waterfalls nearby

Boxlog Falls

Rating:       ⭐⭐⭐
Access:     4hrs  return walk
Driving:   1 m (1 min)

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Nugurin Falls

Rating:       ⭐
Access:     4hrs  return walk
Driving:   1 m (1 min)

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Darragumai Falls

Rating:       ⭐
Access:     4hrs  return walk
Driving:   1 m (1 min)

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Toolona Falls

Rating:       ⭐⭐
Access:     6hrs  return walk
Driving:   1 m (1 min)

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Chalahn Falls

Rating:       ⭐⭐⭐
Access:     6hrs  return walk
Driving:   1 m (1 min)

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Toolona Creek Cascades

Rating:       ⭐⭐⭐
Access:     6hrs  return walk
Driving:   1 m (1 min)

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Morans Falls

Rating:       ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Access:     1hr 30min return walk
Driving:   0.7 km (2 mins)

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