Zillie Falls, Queensland, is the third wheel on the 17km Waterfalls Circuit near Millaa Millaa in the Atherton Tablelands.
This Atherton Tablelands waterfall is easily reached as part of a driving loop that also takes in Millaa Millaa Falls and Ellinjaa Falls. However, it is realistically the least impressive of the three.
Zillie Falls is about 30 metres tall, and it’s a plunge waterfall. From the car park, it’s a two-minute walk to the upper viewing platform. As lookouts go, this is fairly mediocre, but you can still get a decent photo from there. Keep an eye out for flying foxes — a colony lives around the car park.
Can I swim at Zillie Falls, Queensland?
You can’t swim at Zillie Falls, but you can walk to the base of the falls along a fairly rough and poorly maintained track. It can be muddy and slippery, with the return walk taking 30 to 40 minutes.
There are no facilities at Zillie Falls aside from the car park. The nearest toilets are at Millaa Millaa Falls.
Five great things to do in Cairns
- 🐠 See marine wonders at two Outer Reef hotspots – on a Great Barrier Reef snorkelling cruise.
- 🌿 On a day trip – explore Mossman Gorge, Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest.
- 🚞 Combine the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway – on a day trip to Kuranda.
- 🚣 On a full day rafting adventure – tackle the white water of the Tully River.
- 🌄 See giant trees, rainforest waterfalls and crater lakes – on an Atherton Tablelands day tour.
Zillie Falls from Innisfail
If coming from Innisfail along the Palmerston Highway, Zillie Falls can be added to a full day of waterfall-watching. Highlights along the highway include the Mamu Tropical Skywalk, Nandroya Falls, Tchupala Falls and Wallicher Falls.
From Cairns, it’s a 106km drive to Zillie Falls. The drive should take around one hour and 41 minutes, and is only worth doing if you’re taking in other Atherton Tablelands attractions on the way.
Zillie Falls: key visitor information
The car park is on Theresa Creek Road; the track to the falls crosses the road from the car park. The track to the base of the falls is informal, rough and can be slippery — take care and wear sturdy footwear.
| Question | Information |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost to visit Zillie Falls? | Free. Entry and parking are both free. |
| Where is the car park for Zillie Falls? | On Theresa Creek Road (the Waterfalls Circuit), approximately 7.9km from the Millaa Millaa Falls turnoff. The car park is on the right side of the road (clockwise direction). The track to the falls crosses the road from the car park. |
| What facilities are at Zillie Falls? | The car park only. There are no toilets, showers or picnic tables at Zillie Falls. The nearest toilets are at Millaa Millaa Falls, 7.9km back along the circuit. |
| How long is the walk to the Zillie Falls viewing platform? | Approximately 100 metres, taking around two minutes from the car park. |
| How long is the walk to the base of Zillie Falls? | The informal track to the base takes 30–40 minutes return. The path is rough, muddy and slippery in places. Sturdy footwear is essential. |
| How tall is Zillie Falls? | Approximately 30 metres. |
| What order should I visit the Waterfalls Circuit? | Driving clockwise from Millaa Millaa, the order is Millaa Millaa Falls (1.6km from the start of the circuit), Zillie Falls (a further 7.9km) and Ellinjaa Falls (a further 2.3km). |
| How far is Zillie Falls from Cairns? | Approximately 106–107km, around one hour and 40 minutes by road. |
| How far is Zillie Falls from Innisfail? | Approximately 50–60km, around one hour, depending on the route. |
| Are dogs allowed at Zillie Falls? | Zillie Falls is on public land outside a national park. Dogs on leads are permitted at the car park, but should not be taken down the rough track to the base. |
Things to do near Zillie Falls, Millaa Millaa
Millaa Millaa Falls – The star of the Waterfalls Circuit, approximately 7.9km from Zillie Falls. One of Australia’s most photographed waterfalls, with a natural pool at its base, picnic facilities, BBQs, toilets and change rooms — all free.
Ellinjaa Falls – The third waterfall on the circuit, 2.3km from Zillie Falls, reached via a longer and steeper staircase descent. More rugged than Millaa Millaa Falls but often quieter.
Mamu Tropical Skywalk – Located along the Palmerston Highway between Innisfail and Millaa Millaa, this elevated walkway offers treetop views of the Wooroonooran National Park rainforest, with a tall lookout tower.
Nandroya Falls, Henrietta Creek – A 6km return walk from the Henrietta Creek campground along the Palmerston Highway, this powerful 50-metre waterfall is one of the most rewarding in far north Queensland.
Millaa Millaa township – A short drive from the Waterfalls Circuit, this small Tablelands town has a café, dairy farm, and views over the surrounding green hills and farmland.
More Queensland travel
Other Queensland travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Admire the magnificent Curtain Tree Fig in Yungaburra.
- Kuranda attraction guides: Barron Falls, Birdworld Kuranda, Kuranda Koala Gardens, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary and Rainforestation Nature Park.
- Plan your visit to the Cairns Botanic Gardens.
- Skyrail Rainforest Cableway visitor guide: Plan your trip on Australia’s longest cable car ride.
- What to expect on the Kuranda Scenic Railway.
