Ellinjaa Falls is a stunning ledge waterfall located right within the Atherton Tablelands in North Queensland. This particular cascade is part of the 17km long Waterfall Circuit, an attribute unique to this region.
This stunning waterfall is less than 2 hours drive from Cairns and offers travelers a chance to see natural water flows situated right within a dense tropical rainforest. A little more locally known rather than more renowned waterfalls within the area, this waterfall is ideal if you’re keen to leave the crowds and go off the beaten track!
In this guide, I have put together everything there is to know about Ellinjaa Falls including how to get there, the best time to visit, and what to expect when you arrive.
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Table of Contents
WHERE IS ELLINJAA FALLS?
Ellinjaa Falls is located near the town of Millaa Millaa in Atherton Tablelands in Queensland, Australia.
Around a 1 hour and 40-minute drive from Cairns, these falls can be discovered right along Teresa Creek Road which neighbors Wooroonooran National Park.
The entrance of the waterfall is clearly signposted to direct visitors to the right place and it also comes up on Google Maps.
Marveling at the incredible falls
HOW TO GET TO ELLINJAA FALLS
There are a couple of options to get to these falls and they are DIY or with a tour.
OPTION 1 – DIY
By far the best way to get to the beautiful Ellinjaa Waterfall is DIY with your own vehicle. Due to the limited public transport within the area, it would take an extra 3-4 hours to get to the falls if you chose to take this mode of transportation.
If you don’t have your own vehicle, I would definitely recommend hiring a car in Cairns to make the drive out.
Hiring a car creates more flexibility in your day as you can stop where you like, take in the scenery, and have the opportunity to explore.
If you’re staying in Cairns, Atherton Tablelands and the Waterfall Circuit has a lot to offer and it’s worth spending a whole day out there checking out all the sights.
From Cairns, it’s pretty much three roads all the way to the falls. The A1, Highway 52, then Highway 25.
Head for Millaa Millaa Falls, then onwards to Zillie Falls, and lastly to Ellinjaa, which is the third set of falls on the Waterfall Circuit – you can’t miss it.
There is plenty of free parking spaces at the falls so you’ll have somewhere safe to park your car for an hour or so while you’re off exploring these incredible falls.
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OPTION 2 – ELLINJAA FALLS TOUR
If you decide to take a tour, there isn’t one specific to Ellinjaa Waterfall but there is a tour that you can book on Get Your Guide which is a full-day tour from Cairns to Atherton Tablelands.
This guided tour includes return transfers from your accommodation in Cairns and a visit to a number of awesome locations such as Lake Eacham, Josephine Falls, Millaa Millaa Falls, and Ellinjaa Waterfall..
You will get a comprehensive tour of Atherton Tablelands and time to swim at the waterfalls, explore the beautiful rainforest, and get a taste of what Tropical North Queensland has to offer!
The Waterfall Circuit
The parking lot
The trailhead to the falls
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Another reason why this waterfall is so great is that it flows all year round! Some cascades in Queensland require you to go at certain times during the year to see it, but not this one. You’ll never miss seeing the water flowing over these black lava columns!
The best time of the year to visit is suggested to be between December – March as this is the summer season in North Queensland.
The middle of the day is usually the busiest time to visit so if you’re wanting to avoid the crowds, head out either early morning or later on in the afternoon.
Also, keep in mind that if you’re heading out early morning or later in the day, the roads might be slightly harder to navigate with the lack of light.
HOT TIP – It’s highly recommended to visit during the morning. At this time the sun rays shine through the rainforest and reflect beautifully off the water making it look magical!
ELLINJAA FALLS TRAIL
Another reason why Ellinjaa Falls Australia is so perfect to visit is that it’s easily accessible to everyone.
At the parking lot, you’ll also find a picnic area, a perfect place to sit for lunch. From there the waterfall is only a 10-minute walk. The track is at an easy level so no need to worry about getting your hiking boots on.
The trail is a flawless entrance to the waterfall. It’s peaceful, lush, colorful, and takes you right to the base of the cascade where you’ll first see Ellinjaa Creek. From there, you can see the falls and all their beauty!
The track, however, can become very slippery and muddy after it’s been raining so make sure to walk carefully. Not to put you off or anything but just something to be cautious of.
RELATED ARTICLE → JOSEPHINE FALLS QUEENSLAND
The trail down to the falls
On the way to the falls
WHAT TO EXPECT
You can expect these falls to take your breath away! The base of the waterfall has smooth stones and rocks to stand on while you watch the water trickle down into the creek.
With the water so fresh and crisp, it’s the perfect spot for a swim on a hot Australian summers’ day.
The hanging vines and surrounding greenery display what North Queensland is famous for, it’s tropical rainforests!
It’s also known to inhabit native animals such as the platypus and freshwater turtles. If you’re lucky enough, you just might see them!
This location is a photographer’s heaven. From the nature surrounding the falls, the rock pools, the textures of the rocks, and of course, the main attraction itself. You really could lose so many hours down here at the falls, experimenting with your camera and really capturing the moment in full.
I recommend allowing around 1-2 hours at these falls to take a dip in the rock pools to cool off or wander down Ellinjaa Creek. Keep an eye out for the slippery rocks that will no doubt, line your track.
RELATED ARTICLE → WATERFALL CIRCUIT CAIRNS
The beautiful Ellinjaa Falls Queensland
Natural pool at the base of the falls
The main falls
MAP OF ELLINJAA FALLS AUSTRALIA
WHERE TO STAY IN CAIRNS
There are hundreds of accommodation options to choose from in Cairns, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of Cairns accommodations below that I personally recommend:
LUXURY: PULLMAN REEF HOTEL CASINO
MID-RANGE: CAIRNS RAINBOW RESORT
BUDGET: MAD MONKEYS BACKPACKERS
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN CAIRNS, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
AIRBNB CAIRNS
Another option for accommodation in Cairns is to stay in an Airbnb, which generally has some great deals!
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MORE AUSTRALIA TRAVEL GUIDES
The coastline and hinterland areas along the east coast of Australia boast countless beaches, lakes, waterfalls, hikes, and many more fun-fuelled adventures waiting to be had!
This is what Australia is all about and what I love to share with you in my destination guides.
Click on the links below to see more related posts:
- Hamilton Island: 10 Things To Do In Hamilton Island
- Agnes Water: 17 Things To Do In Agnes Water
- Yeppoon: 10 Best Beaches In Yeppoon
- Brisbane: Things To Do In Brisbane
- Gold Coast: 3 Day Gold Coast Itinerary
- Fraser Island: Fraser Island Day Trip
- Springbrook: Springbrook Waterfalls
- Byron Bay: Things To Do In Byron Bay
- Crescent Head: 9 Things To Do In Crescent Head
- Forster: 7 Things To Do In Forster
- Port Macquarie: 7 Best Beaches In Port Macquarie
- Sydney: Things To Do In Sydney
- Kiama NSW: 3 Awesome Things To Do In Kiama
- Melbourne: Things To Do In Melbourne
LONELY PLANET AUSTRALIA
One of the best books to take on your trip is the Lonely Planet Australia Guide!
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FINAL THOUGHTS
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!
Happy Adventuring!