Planning a trip to Gardners Falls near Maleny? This guide covers swimming conditions, family-friendly features, and nearby attractions.
Why visit Gardners Falls on the Sunshine Coast?
Gardners Falls on Obi Obi Creek near Maleny offers family-friendly wild swimming and a picnic area in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland.
Gardners Falls near Maleny is by no means the most spectacular waterfall in Australia. Try Ebor Falls near Armidale in New South Wales for powerful cascades, or Windin Falls in the Atherton Tableland for dramatic views.
But this Sunshine Coast waterfall does make for a good half day out with kids.
Family-friendly Gardners Falls is a short, 800 metre return walk away from the car park. It also has a selection of pools for swimming in.
Five great things to do in the Sunshine Coast
- 🌅 Enjoy drinks as the sun goes down – on a sunset cruise along Mooloolaba’s waterways.
- 🌿 Spot wildlife in the Noosa Everglades – on the Everglades Explorer cruise.
- 🐋 On a whale-watching cruise – see migrating humpbacks from Noosa.
- 🍷 Combine food tastings with Hinterland highlights – on a scenic culinary tour.
- 🦐 On a bushtucker cruise – taste native food and learn about Aboriginal culture.
Gardners Falls swimming pools and safety
Gardners Falls is part of Obi Obi Creek, which has a number of shallow rock pools for toddlers to splash around in.
The falls themselves aren’t particularly high, but they have created a bigger, deeper pool at the bottom.
This is ideal for older kids and adults to swim in.
Unless there has been heavy rain, the water flow on Obi Obi Creek is pretty slow.
This makes Gardners Falls a relatively safe swimming spot for those wanting a gentle introduction to wild swimming.
As long as everyone watches their footing on the rocky bottom of the pool, there is little to worry about.
Well, apart from the highly unofficial rope swings at Gardners Falls that have been set up over the deeper pool. Use these at your own risk.
Gardners Falls setting and picnic areas
The setting at Gardners Falls, surrounded by native forest, is fairly idyllic.
There’s a grassy area for picnics, making it easy to spend a relaxed half day by Obi Obi Creek.
A visit here offers a change of pace from nearby attractions such as the Eumundi Markets or Mooloolaba Beach.
Sunshine Coast hinterland attractions near Gardners Falls
Other Sunshine Coast hinterland attractions include the Maleny Botanic Gardens, Yandina Markets and Buderim Falls in Buderim Forest Park.
If national parks are your thing, try Kondalilla Falls in Kondalilla National Park near Montville or Booloumba Creek in Conondale National Park.
Gardners Falls visitor information
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Gardners Falls free to visit? | Yes, Gardners Falls is free to access. |
| How long is the walk to Gardners Falls? | The walk is approximately 800 metres return from the car park. |
| Can you swim at Gardners Falls? | Yes, with shallow pools for children and a deeper pool for stronger swimmers. |
| Is Gardners Falls safe for families? | Generally yes, but take care on slippery rocks and avoid swimming after heavy rain. |
| Are there picnic facilities at Gardners Falls? | There is a grassy picnic area near the creek. |
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More Sunshine Coast travel
Other Sunshine Coast travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Combining the most scenic spots in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland – Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, Gerrards Lookout and McCarthy’s Lookout.
- Guides to Sunshine Coast waterfalls: Wappa Falls, Buderim Falls, Mapleton Falls and Kondalilla Falls.
- Should you visit Eumundi Markets on Wednesday or Saturday?
- Take a walk in Noosa to Little Cove, the Boiling Point Lookout, Granite Bay and Sunshine Beach.
- How to get to the Carlo Sand Blow in Rainbow Beach.
