If you’re looking for one of the best day trips from Brisbane, look no further! The Falls Drive in Main Range National Park is a beautiful scenic drive that takes you along the scenic rim and the border of NSW and QLD.
You’ll drive into the Gondwana era and admire the stunning scenery before hitting plenty of waterfalls to keep you on your toes. Ready to see what this day trip from Brisbane or Gold Coast looks like?
Let’s get started!
Where Is The Falls Drive?
The Falls Drive is the perfect way to spend the day exploring the Scenic Rim in South East Queensland. Located just off Carneys Creek Rd, The Falls Drive starts on Springs Creek Rd, stretching from Killarney to Boonah.
It’s around a 2hr drive from Brisbane and 2h30m from Gold Coast. As we were driving from Sunshine Coast, it took us just over 3hrs to drive along the scenic road.
As one of the most famous drives from Brisbane, The Falls Drive is the perfect way to spend the day with the whole family, which will take you to four waterfalls, beautiful lookout points and much more.
What To See On The Way To The Falls Drive
If you want to break up the drive, there are loads of fantastic places to visit along the way.
One of our favourite things to do in the Scenic Rim is to visit the Kalbar Sunflower Festival. When we visited, we were really surprised how good and big it actually is. Wear your best dressed clothes and you’ll be able to get some good family photos before (changing) and continuing on, on your drive.
We also really love the Scenic Rim Farm Shop, which has a lovely outdoor area and a gorgeous menu to grab something to eat.
A little bit further down the road from Boonah you’ll find the absolutely beautiful Kooroomba Vineyards & Lavender Farm. If you’re looking for somewhere to get married, this is where we would do it. The chapel is absolutely amazing here!
What To See On The Falls Drive
After recently doing this drive, we’re sharing the best places to see on The Falls Drive.
1. Teviot Falls
I must admit, we didn’t go to Teviot Falls because we must have missed the sign for it. It doesn’t come up on Google Maps and so we were hoping to see a sign, but we must have driven passed it. I thought we would end up driving back the same way but we didn’t so unfortunately we missed out on the first waterfall. I have heard you can only see it from a distance as there are no lookouts or paths to the base of the falls.
2. Carrs Lookout
You’ll soon realise that the further you drive along The Falls Drive, the more beautiful it gets. You’ll start to see trees from the Gondwana era which will make you feel like you’ve been transported to an ancient rainforest (it’s actually true!). And just as you’re soaking it all in, boom! You’ll come to Carrs Lookout – a spectacular lookout that apparently sees the Gold Coast lights at night time (as we heard someone else say!).
It’s a gorgeous lookout you could spend a while just admiring the few houses dotted around and the sense of space each holds.
3. Queen Mary Falls
Continue on in your car for a few more minutes and you’ll come to the famous waterfall in the Southern Downs Region – Queen Marys Falls. You can check out our guide for Queen Mary Falls here to find out more about this walk.
When we arrived, the car park was packed which surprised us as the road was quiet along the way.
Here you’ll find a fantastic picnic spot (if you don’t eat your lunch at Carrs Lookout, eat it at Queen Mary Falls). There’s also a fantastic little cafe and shop here, serving up homemade lasagna etc.
Queen Mary’s Falls has two child friendly routes, one that will take you in a circuit up the top or one to the base and back up. We timed the circuit down to the bottom of the falls and it would have taken us just 20 minutes of slow walking if we didn’t stop for a while.
4. Continue On To Daggs Falls
Daggs Falls in Main Range National Park is situated almost around the corner from Queen Mary Falls. You can literally just fall out your car to the lookout to see the beautiful waterfall down below. It is a beautiful waterfall that we would have loved to climb to the bottom, if it was safe to do so.
5. Next stop, Browns Falls
Jump back in the car and continue on to Browns Falls, just another few minutes down the road. Now, this waterfall is a little bit tricky to get to, but it’s worth it.
You’ll need to wear hiking boots and it is a bit of a scramble as you’ll need to cross the river a few times, climb under and over trees and walk over slippery rocks to get to this stunning waterfall.
I recommend checking out our Browns Falls Guide before you consider doing this walk.
6. Yangan Rockies
Looking for the best swimming hole in Killarney? Check out Yangan Rockies, a local secret between Killarney and Warwick on the Emu Creek. If you’re looking to escape the crowds and get away from it all, this is your spot!
7. Got a 4×4? Hit up Cambanoora Gorge
If you’ve got a 4×4, head into Cambanoora Gorge and across 14 river crossings before choosing your spot to cool off in the Condamine River! Bring your bike and go mountain biking or for a hike in this beautiful part of the Scenic Rim.
Don’t forget to fuel up!
When doing The Falls Drive, make sure you fuel up either in Boonah or in Warwick! We met a family at Carrs Lookout who were panicking because they thought there would be a petrol station along the way and there isn’t.
FYI
We had read that Killarney and the nearby town called Tannymorel are worth visiting but there’s nothing to see at either. We just continue up through the Main Range National Park pass which is really beautiful. We can’t wait to explore more of the hikes in this park next time we’re in the area!
Where To Stay
Looking for places to stay near along The Falls Drive? Here are our top picks!
- Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park & Cabins – location doesn’t get much better! Stay right opposite the famous waterfalls and enjoy camping amongst the Gondwana Rainforest.
- Killarney View Cabins And Cararvan Park – Just a few minutes down the road will bring you another cararvan park with beautiful cabins equipped with kitchen appliances and surrounded by nature.
Looking For A Waterfall Drive in NSW?
Check out our guide to Bellingen in NSW which is near to Coffs Harbour. Here you’ll find a beautiful drive which will take you to loads of waterfalls in the area called Waterfall Way. Bellingen is one of our favourite places in NSW, so we hope you love it as much as we do!
The Falls Drive
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