Buderim Falls (also referred to as Serenity Falls) is arguably one of the best waterfalls on the Sunshine Coast!
This stunning waterfall features a sub-tropical paradise located just 15 minutes’ drive inland from the coast in Buderim Forest Park.
I have put together this complete guide to Buderim Falls which includes how to get there, the best time to visit, and what to expect when you’re there.
WHERE IS BUDERIM FALLS?
Buderim Falls (Serenity Falls) is located in Buderim Forest Park just 15 minutes drive inland from Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast.
→ Click here to see the location on Google Maps.
HOW TO GET TO BUDERIM FALLS
There are no public transport options available to reach Serenity Falls so you will need to have your own vehicle to get here.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit these 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 Buderim Waterfall at any time during the day.
It’s a very popular tourist attraction and it can get quite busy on the weekends. If you can time your visit to Buderim Waterfall for a weekday, you will get to enjoy it with fewer people.
ARRIVING AT BUDERIM FALLS
When you arrive at Buderim Forest Park you’ll find a large parking lot with plenty of free parking spaces available which is conveniently located at the entrance to the falls Serenity Falls.
There are also toilet amenities and picnic areas next to the parking lot that you can make use of before and after your adventure.
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BUDERIM WATERFALL TRAIL
The trail down to the waterfall is clearly signposted, and it’s a short 300-meter walk down to reach the base of the falls that takes no more than 15 minutes.
Also, make sure to bring comfortable shoes for the hike.
On the way down to Serenity Falls, you’ll come across a combination of concrete steps, cleared dirt trails, and suspension bridges that will lead you through the lush Buderim Forest Park.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT BUDERIM FALLS
The trail will lead you right into the natural amphitheater at the base of the main waterfall and from here you can explore the rocky areas on both sides of the falls.
There are plenty of dry areas to set your belongings down and go for a swim in the freshwater rock pools. It’s a great opportunity to cool off after the hike down.
Don’t be afraid to stand directly beneath falls as the discharge of water is not too powerful and it makes for the perfect outdoor shower.
Also, be sure to take a quick-dry travel towel to dry off after a swim.
The swimming hole is quite shallow so I wouldn’t recommend doing any rock jumping at this particular spot.
A pathway leads directly behind Buderim Waterfall, and from here you can get another cool perspective looking down the valley.
There’s also a trail that leads to the top of the falls where you can find more refreshing rock pools and cascades.
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Once you’ve enjoyed some time at the main set of falls, continue the walk downstream along the bush track which will bring you to another tranquil waterhole and a cascading waterfall beneath the rainforest canopy.
This particular waterhole is a great spot for the kids to go swimming and there is lots of exploring to be had.
Just a bit of common sense that after heavy rains the stream can be quite strong and it’s not recommended for swimming when the water is flowing quite heavily.
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 ON SUNSHINE COAST, SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
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 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.
BEST SUNSHINE COAST TOURS
WHAT TO PACK FOR SUNSHINE COAST
When visiting Sunshine Coast, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:
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FINAL THOUGHTS – BUDERIM WATERFALL
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions, please leave a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
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THANKS FOR READING
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