Mapleton Falls is a 120-metre waterfall in Mapleton Falls National Park on the Blackall Range in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, Queensland, Australia. This guide covers opening hours, access, transport, parking, accessibility and practical tips for visiting.
This Australian waterfall is a key stop on a Sunshine Coast hinterland tour.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Open 24 hours daily year-round; walk in daylight hours only for safety |
| Admission | Free |
| Address | Mapleton Falls National Park, Obi Obi Road, Mapleton, Queensland 4560, Australia |
| Nearest public transport | No direct public transport; Sunbus routes 600, 610 to Nambour, then taxi required |
| Time needed | 30 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on walks undertaken |
| Distance from Brisbane | 105km (1 hour 30 minutes by car) |
Mapleton Falls opening hours
Mapleton Falls National Park is open 24 hours daily throughout the year. For safety reasons, visitors should only walk during daylight hours. The park has no gates or staffing. Walking tracks may close during severe wet weather due to flooding. Check park alerts on the Queensland Parks website before visiting during heavy rain periods.
Mapleton Falls admission
Entry to Mapleton Falls National Park is free. No entrance fee, parking fee or booking is required. Permits are required only for commercial photography, filming or organised events.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked and updated in January 2026.
Why book the Montville & Maleny private tour?
- Personalised private experience: Enjoy a bespoke day exploring the Sunshine Coast hinterland at your own pace with a private guide.
- Scenic hinterland towns: Visit charming villages such as Montville and Maleny, known for boutique shops, cafés and art galleries.
- Stunning views: Take in panoramic scenery of rolling hills, lush valleys and forests that are characteristic of the hinterland.
- Local insights: Your guide shares stories about regional history, culture and natural highlights as you explore.
- Convenient transport included: Round-trip transfers from Noosa or Sunshine Coast accommodation make for a stress-free day out without driving yourself.
How to get to Mapleton Falls
By car: From Brisbane (105km, 1 hour 30 minutes), take the Bruce Highway north to Nambour. Exit west onto the Nambour-Mapleton Road. Continue 11km to Mapleton village. From Mapleton, take Obi Obi Road and travel 3km to the signposted turnoff for Mapleton Falls National Park on the left. From the Sunshine Coast beaches (Maroochydore area, approximately 30km), take the Nambour Connection Road to Nambour, then follow directions above.
By bus: Sunbus operates route 600 (Sunshine Coast-Nambour) and route 610 (Maroochydore-Nambour). Services do not extend to Mapleton. From Nambour, taxis to Mapleton Falls take approximately 20 minutes and cost $40-55.
By taxi: Taxis from Nambour to Mapleton Falls take 20 minutes and cost approximately $40-55. From Maroochydore, taxis take 30-40 minutes and cost $60-80.
By tour: Several Sunshine Coast tour operators offer day trips to the Sunshine Coast hinterland including Mapleton Falls, often combined with Montville, Maleny and other attractions such as Gerrards Lookout, Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve and McCarthy’s Lookout.
Parking at Mapleton Falls
Free parking is available in the car park adjacent to the lookout area. The car park accommodates approximately 20-30 vehicles. A designated disabled parking bay is located near the toilet facilities, positioned uphill from the main car park.
During peak times (weekends and school holidays, particularly 10am-2pm), parking fills completely. Arriving before 10am or after 2pm improves parking availability. No overflow parking exists, and roadside parking on Obi Obi Road is not permitted.
How long to spend at Mapleton Falls
Most visitors spend 30 minutes to 1.5 hours at Mapleton Falls. The walk from the car park to the main lookout takes approximately 5 minutes. Visitors viewing the falls from the lookout only spend 20-30 minutes.
Those walking the Wompoo Circuit (1.3km loop, 30-45 minutes) spend approximately 1 hour. Visitors combining both the lookout and circuit walk, or taking a picnic, extend their stay to 1.5-2 hours.
Accessibility at Mapleton Falls
The Mapleton Falls lookout is accessible to wheelchairs and prams. Paths from the disabled car park to the lookout are bitumen and concrete surfaces. From the disabled parking bay, visitors travel slightly uphill to the toilet facilities, then gently downhill to the lookout.
The Wompoo Circuit walking track is not wheelchair accessible due to uneven forest paths, steps and steep sections. Accessible toilet facilities are available near the car park.
What to see at Mapleton Falls
The main lookout provides views of the 120-metre waterfall cascading over a sheer cliff into the Obi Obi Valley. The viewing platform extends over the cliff edge, creating an elevated vantage point above the rainforest canopy. Views encompass the subtropical rainforest valley and surrounding hinterland landscape. The waterfall flows year-round, with volume increasing substantially after rain.
The Wompoo Circuit is a 1.3km loop walking track through tall open forest and rainforest, offering additional waterfall viewpoints. The circuit begins near the main lookout and takes 30-45 minutes to complete. The track features gentle gradients with some steps and uneven surfaces. Flora along the circuit includes piccabeen palms, ancient bunya pines and blackbutt trees. Wildlife including wompoo fruit-doves (the track’s namesake), whipbirds and brush turkeys may be observed. Interpretive signs explain the rainforest ecosystem.
Picnic tables are located near the car park and lookout area, suitable for snacks or picnic lunches. No barbecue facilities are provided. Toilet facilities (currently temporary portable units until April 2026) are located near the car park.
The park forms part of the traditional lands of the Jinibara and Kabi Kabi peoples. The Blackall Range area holds spiritual significance to these traditional owners.
Practical tips
| Tip |
|---|
| Arrive before 10am or after 2pm on weekends and school holidays to secure parking more easily. |
| Bring insect repellent as mosquitoes, leeches and ticks are present, particularly in the rainforest sections. |
| Wear sturdy walking shoes if planning the Wompoo Circuit, as paths can be muddy and slippery after rain. |
| Bring drinking water as none is available in the park; creek water is unsuitable for drinking. |
| Remove all rubbish as no bins are provided; the park operates on a carry-in, carry-out policy. |
| Stay behind safety barriers at the lookout; sheer cliffs and slippery surfaces near the waterfall are extremely hazardous. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Mapleton Falls suitable for children? | Yes. The short walk to the lookout is suitable for all ages. Supervise children closely near cliff edges and barriers. |
| Do you need to book in advance? | No. The park has free access with no booking system or capacity restrictions. |
| Is Mapleton Falls open on Sundays? | Yes. The park is accessible 24 hours daily including Sundays. Walk in daylight hours for safety. |
| Can you swim at Mapleton Falls? | No. Swimming is not permitted due to dangerous conditions including sheer cliffs, fast-flowing water and submerged rocks. |
| Are dogs allowed? | No. Domestic animals are not permitted in Mapleton Falls National Park. |
| Are there toilets? | Yes. Temporary portable toilets are installed near the car park (as of October 2024, expected until April 2026). |
Things to do near Mapleton Falls
Kondalilla Falls (11km): 90-metre waterfall in Kondalilla National Park with swimming holes at the base. The 4.7km Kondalilla Falls Circuit includes over 300 steps.
Montville (6km): Mountain village with boutique shops, galleries, cafés and restaurants. The Montville Growers and Makers Market operates on the second Saturday of each month.
Maleny (12km): Hinterland town with Maleny Cheese Factory, Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve (Glass House Mountains views), galleries and cafés.
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve (15km): 55-hectare subtropical rainforest reserve with wheelchair-accessible walking tracks, rainforest discovery centre and Glass House Mountains lookout.
Flame Hill Vineyard (8km near Montville): Boutique vineyard and cellar door with restaurant serving lunch Wednesday-Sunday. Wine tastings and meals available.
More Queensland travel
Other Queensland travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Should you visit Eumundi Markets on Wednesday or Saturday?
- Plan your visit to the Queensland Maritime Museum in Brisbane.
- What you need to know about the Tamborine Mountain Glow Worm Caves and Curtis Falls in the Gold Coast Hinterland.
- Organising a visit to Natural Bridge in Springbrook National Park.
- What to expect at Hinze Dam near the Gold Coast.
