Curtis Falls is a 15-metre waterfall in the Joalah section of Tamborine National Park on Tamborine Mountain, 45 kilometres from the Gold Coast, Queensland. This guide covers opening hours, parking, access routes, trail information and practical tips for planning your visit.
This Australian waterfall is one of the best stops on a Springfield and Tamborine National Park rainforest day tour from Brisbane.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Open 24 hours daily, year-round. Glow worms visible after dark |
| Entry price | Free admission. Free parking |
| Address | Dapsang Drive, Eagle Heights, Tamborine Mountain, Queensland 4272 |
| Nearest town | Eagle Heights (1 kilometre), North Tamborine (4 kilometres) |
| Time needed | 30–45 minutes for Curtis Falls Trail return; 1–1.5 hours for combined Lower Creek Circuit |
| Distance from Gold Coast | Approximately 45 kilometres (40 minutes’ drive from Surfers Paradise) |
Curtis Falls opening hours
The falls and walking tracks are open 24 hours a day, year-round. There are no gates or restricted access times. The car park is always accessible.
Glow worms are visible at the falls after dark, particularly on the basalt rock face surrounding the waterfall. The glow worm colony is most active between dusk and midnight. Access to the rock pool area is prohibited at all times to protect the glow worm habitat.
There are no staffed facilities or visitor centre at Curtis Falls. The Tamborine Mountain Visitor Information Centre at Doughty Park (corner of Geissmann Drive and Main Western Road, North Tamborine) is open daily and provides park information.
Why book the Springbrook & Tamborine Rainforest tour from Brisbane?
- Explore World Heritage rainforest: Wander through ancient rainforest landscapes in Springbrook and Tamborine, part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia.
- See Natural Bridge: Visit the stunning Natural Bridge rock formation and its cascading waterfall — a highlight of the region.
- Glow-worm cave experience: Enjoy the magical sight of glow-worms lighting up a cave in the rainforest after dusk.
- Expert local guide: Learn about the unique flora, fauna and geology of the Gold Coast hinterland from a knowledgeable guide.
- Comfortable day trip from Brisbane: Includes transport so you can relax and enjoy waterfalls, lookouts and rainforest walks without needing to plan logistics.
Curtis Falls ticket prices
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked and updated in January 2026.
Entry to Curtis Falls and Tamborine National Park is free. There are no admission charges or booking requirements.
Parking is free at both car parks (Dapsang Drive and Eagle Heights Road).
How to get to Curtis Falls
Curtis Falls has two access points, both in Eagle Heights.
Main access (Dapsang Drive car park): From North Tamborine, take Geissmann Drive south. Turn left onto Long Road, then right onto Dapsang Drive. Follow Dapsang Drive to the end (cul-de-sac) where the car park is located. This is the closest car park to the falls.
Alternative access (Eagle Heights Road): From North Tamborine, follow Main Street to Eagle Heights Road. The trail access point is off Eagle Heights Road near Curtis Corner (junction of Geissmann Drive and Eagle Heights Road). This route adds approximately 800 metres (return) to the walk.
From Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise): Take the Pacific Motorway (M1) north towards Brisbane. Exit at Oxenford/Tamborine (Exit 57). Follow signs for Tamborine Mountain via Long Road. Journey time is approximately 40 minutes.
From Brisbane: Take the Pacific Motorway (M1) south towards the Gold Coast. Exit at Oxenford/Tamborine (Exit 57) and follow directions as above. Journey time is approximately 1 hour.
Public transport: No direct public transport serves Curtis Falls. Limited bus services operate to Tamborine Mountain from the Gold Coast and Brisbane. A private vehicle or tour operator transfer is recommended. Day tours to Springfield National Park and Tamborine National Park from Brisbane cram a lot in, including the Tamborine Mountain Glow Worm Caves, Natural Bridge and Hinze Dam.
Parking at Curtis Falls
Free parking is available at two locations:
Dapsang Drive car park (recommended): Approximately 12–15 spaces at the end of Dapsang Drive cul-de-sac. This car park is closest to the falls. Overflow parking may be available along the street.
Eagle Heights Road: Limited roadside parking near Curtis Corner (junction with Geissmann Drive). Several cafés and shops are located at Curtis Corner.
Both car parks fill quickly between 10am and 2pm on weekends and school holidays. Arrive before 9am for guaranteed parking. The Dapsang Drive car park is busier than the Eagle Heights Road access point.
Facilities: Public toilets are located at the Dapsang Drive car park. No picnic facilities are available at Curtis Falls. Cafés and ice cream parlours are located at Curtis Corner on Eagle Heights Road.
How long to spend at Curtis Falls
Most visitors spend 30 to 45 minutes completing the Curtis Falls Trail return walk.
The Curtis Falls Trail is 1.1 kilometres return and takes approximately 30 minutes. The trail descends through eucalypt forest into rainforest, with the final section including steps down to the viewing platform. Allow 10–15 minutes at the viewing platform to observe the waterfall and rock pool.
The Lower Creek Circuit branches off the Curtis Falls Trail and adds 2.5 kilometres (1 hour) to the walk. This circuit crosses Cedar Creek via stepping stones and passes rock pools and a large fallen strangler fig. The combined Curtis Falls and Lower Creek Circuit walk is 3.5 kilometres and takes 1.5–2 hours.
Visitors exploring Curtis Corner cafés and shops may spend an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Accessibility at Curtis Falls
The Curtis Falls Trail is not wheelchair or pram accessible. The trail includes uneven gravel surfaces, steep descents, steps and exposed tree roots. The final descent to the viewing platform includes a staircase.
The trail is graded as moderate difficulty (Grade 3). Reasonable fitness is required due to the descent and subsequent uphill return. The trail can be muddy and slippery after rain.
Public toilets at the Dapsang Drive car park include accessible facilities. Curtis Corner cafés on Eagle Heights Road have accessible facilities.
Visitors with limited mobility cannot access views of Curtis Falls, as all viewpoints require hiking downhill from the car park.
What to see at Curtis Falls
Curtis Falls is a 15-metre waterfall on Cedar Creek in Tamborine National Park’s Joalah section. The waterfall flows over basalt columns formed by volcanic activity 22 million years ago when Mount Warning erupted. The basalt rock face and columns are the legacy of this volcanic history.
The Curtis Falls Trail descends through wet eucalypt forest dominated by towering flooded gums. The forest transitions into subtropical rainforest with staghorn ferns, crows nest ferns and strangler figs visible in the canopy. The temperature drops noticeably as the trail enters the rainforest section.
The viewing platform overlooks the waterfall and rock pool. Water flow varies seasonally—after heavy rain, the falls become a powerful torrent; during dry periods, water flow reduces to a gentle curtain. The rock pool below the falls is home to platypus, turtles, eels and fish. Platypus sightings occur most frequently at dawn and dusk.
Access to the rock pool and surrounding area is strictly prohibited. The basalt rock face surrounding the falls supports a fragile glow worm colony. Walking off the viewing platform damages glow worm habitat and can disturb platypus. Fines apply for entering restricted areas.
Glow worms (Arachnocampa flava) are visible on the basalt cliffs after dark. The larvae produce bioluminescent light to attract prey. Glow worms are most visible between dusk and midnight in humid conditions. Bring a torch (covered with red cellophane to minimise disturbance) for night-time viewing.
The Lower Creek Circuit follows Cedar Creek through rainforest past rock pools, cascades and a large fallen strangler fig. The circuit includes creek crossings via stepping stones and bridges. Wildlife includes brush turkeys, Albert’s lyrebirds (particularly vocal in winter) and land mullets (large skinks).
Curtis Falls is located in Joalah, an Aboriginal word meaning “haunt of the lyrebird”. The area was named after the Curtis family, early European settlers who arrived on Tamborine Mountain in the late 1870s.
Practical tips for visiting Curtis Falls
| Tip |
|---|
| Arrive before 9am to secure parking at the Dapsang Drive car park. Weekends and school holidays are particularly busy. |
| Wear sturdy walking shoes or boots with good grip. The trail includes steps, exposed tree roots and can be muddy and slippery after rain. Thongs (flip-flops) are not suitable. |
| Visit after heavy rainfall for the most impressive waterfall flow. The falls run year-round but water volume increases significantly after rain. |
| Do not access the rock pool or walk beyond the viewing platform. This area is restricted to protect glow worms and platypus. Fines apply. |
| For glow worm viewing, visit after dark (between dusk and midnight). Bring a torch covered with red cellophane to minimise light disturbance to the glow worms. |
| Take rubbish home with you. No bins are provided in Tamborine National Park. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Curtis Falls suitable for children? | Yes. Children aged 5 and above can complete the Curtis Falls Trail with supervision. The trail includes steps and a moderate descent. Young children may find the uphill return challenging. The Lower Creek Circuit includes creek crossings on stepping stones which may be difficult for very young children. |
| Can you swim at Curtis Falls? | No. Swimming and access to the rock pool are prohibited to protect glow worm habitat and platypus populations. The nearest swimming location is Cedar Creek Falls (6 kilometres), which has designated rock pools. |
| Do you need to book in advance? | No. Curtis Falls is open to all visitors without booking or tickets. Parking is available on a first-come basis. |
| When is the best time to visit Curtis Falls? | Early morning (8am–10am) for fewer crowds and best lighting. After heavy rainfall for maximum waterfall flow. After dark (dusk to midnight) to see glow worms. |
| Are dogs allowed? | No. Dogs (except registered assistance dogs) are not permitted in Tamborine National Park. |
| Can you see platypus at Curtis Falls? | Platypus live in the rock pool but sightings are rare. Dawn and dusk offer the best chance of spotting platypus. Observe from the viewing platform only—do not enter the restricted area. |
Things to do near Curtis Falls
Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk (5 kilometres): A 1.5-kilometre elevated walkway through rainforest canopy, including a 40-metre cantilever bridge suspended 30 metres above the creek. Admission charge applies.
Cedar Creek Falls (6 kilometres): Rock pools and waterfall accessible via a 500-metre walking trail. Swimming permitted in designated rock pools. Car park can fill early on weekends.
Gallery Walk (3 kilometres): A collection of art galleries, craft shops, cafés and restaurants along Long Road in North Tamborine.
Tamborine Mountain Glow Worm Caves (4 kilometres): Purpose-built glow worm sanctuary at Cedar Creek Estate Winery offering 30-minute guided cave tours.
Witches Falls (5 kilometres): Queensland’s first national park (established 1908) with a 3-kilometre circuit trail through rainforest to a seasonal waterfall.
Tamborine Mountain Distillery (4 kilometres): Craft distillery producing gin, vodka and liqueurs. Tastings and tours available.
More Queensland travel
Other Queensland travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Plan your visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane.
- Guide to Old Government House in Brisbane.
- Plan your visit to the Queensland Maritime Museum in Brisbane.
- A practical guide to walking in Auburn River National Park.
- A guide to walking in Bunya Mountains National Park.
