Crystal Cascades
A string of rainforest creek waterfalls about 20 minutes’ drive from Cairns, whose clear pools are where locals cool off on weekends.
Crystal Cascades lies on an upstream freshwater creek in Redlynch, west of Cairns, about 20 minutes’ drive from the city centre. An approximately 1.2-kilometer sealed path follows the creek through the rainforest, passing a series of small waterfalls and granite pools. The water is clear and cool, and it is where locals swim and picnic on weekends. At the end of the path you can continue climbing to Copperlode Dam. Entry is free, and the car park has toilets. The creek can rise suddenly after heavy rain, and drownings have occurred here in the past, so swim only in designated pools and do not climb slippery rocks.
Opening hours
All day (daytime visits)
Nearby sights
- Cairns Botanic Gardens
- Rusty's Markets
- Cairns Aquarium
- Cairns Night Markets
- Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
- Barron Gorge & Barron Falls
- Rainforestation Nature Park
- Kuranda / Skyrail Rainforest Cableway