MAPLETON FALLS SUNSHINE COAST - Visitor's Guide

Mapleton Falls is an awe-inspiring natural attraction that’s not to be missed when visiting the Sunshine Coast.

Located just 40 minutes drive inland from the Mooloolaba, discover the beauty of Mapleton Falls National Park and enjoy the view from the lookout which overlooks Obi Obi Valley and the 120-meter tall waterfall.

I have put together this complete guide which includes how to get there, the best time to visit, and what to expect when you’re there.

Also, at the bottom of this guide, I have included some useful information on where to stay on the Sunshine Coast, a list of recommended tours, and links to my other east coast Australia travel guides that you might like to check out.

Table of Contents

WHERE IS MAPLETON FALLS?

Mapleton Falls is located in Mapleton National Park just 40 minutes drive inland from Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast.

→ Click here to see the location on Google Maps.

HOW TO GET HERE

There are no public transport options available to reach Mapleton National Park so you will need to have your own vehicle to visit.

Search All → Car Rentals Sunshine Coast

BEST TIME TO VISIT MAPLETON NATIONAL PARK

The best time to visit Mapleton Falls National Park 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 these falls at any time during the day.

Bear in mind that this waterfall is a very popular tourist attraction and it can get quite busy on the weekends. If you can time your visit for a weekday, you will get to enjoy it with fewer people.

Mapleton National Park

WHAT TO EXPECT AT MAPLETON FALLS

When you arrive at Mapleton National 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 and the Mapleton Falls Lookout.

There are also toilet amenities and picnic areas next to the parking lot that you can make use of before and after your visit.

MAPLETON FALLS LOOKOUT

From the parking lot, it’s a stone’s throw to the lookout where you can catch the best view of the falls and Obi Obi Valley.

This 120m tall waterfall features flowing water from Pencil Creek that gushes down a slate rock face and into the basin far below.

It’s not possible to access the base of Mapleton Waterfall, so make sure to get a few photos here at the lookout before continuing on to the Wompoo Circuit.

WOMPOO CIRCUIT

The Wompoo Circuit is an easy 1.3km walk through the beautiful Mapleton National Park that takes around 45 minutes return.

Wompoo Circuit is clearly signposted with an epic viewpoint along the way called Peregrine Lookout which offers spectacular views of Mapleton National Park and Obi Obi Valley.

The trail is mostly flat and leads through sub-tropical rainforest, consisting of wooden boardwalks and dirt tracks. Take your time, marvel at the towering canopy above, and enjoy the sounds of the surrounding eucalypt forest.

Wompoo Circuit

Mapleton National Park

The way to Peregrine Lookout

Peregrine Lookout

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:

FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN SUNSHINE COAST, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM

BEST SUNSHINE COAST TOURS

WHEN 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 most 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.

WHAT TO PACK FOR SUNSHINE COAST

When visiting Sunshine Coast, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:

Sunscreen – the Australian sun is very strong, so make sure to pack some high-quality sunscreen.
Quick-dry travel towel – a must for drying off after a dip in the ocean or lying out on the sand.
Reusable water bottle – stay hydrated by bringing along a reusable water bottle.
Dry bag – protect your gadgets from any water damage while you’re at the beach.

If you’re interested in taking awesome photos and videos on your travels, this is the camera gear that I use and recommend:

GoPro HERO10 – the most popular camera on the planet for action-packed adventures.
Canon EOS R – perfect for traveling, this is the most affordable, compact camera on the market.
DJI Mini 3 Pro – take your photos and videos to new heights with this user-friendly drone camera.

MORE AUSTRALIA TRAVEL GUIDES

The East Coast of Australia boasts awesome beaches, lakes, waterfalls, hikes, and many more fun-fuelled adventures waiting to be had!

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
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

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! For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

THANKS FOR READING

Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!

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