Josephine Falls

Ok, enough of the soppy stuff – my poor Dad will be shaking his head and wondering what the world is coming to with such public displays of affection – love you too Dad!

Back to sharing some of our summer holiday fun!  If you read our Bramston Beach post then you will know that while we were staying there it was hot, hot, hot.  To survive our week without air-conditioning, we headed away from the beach on quite a few occasions in search of cool, refreshing, shady water holes and Josephine Falls was voted the favourite by the kids.  Can you see why?

Josephine Falls is 75km’s south of Cairns, and only about a 15minute drive from Bramston Beach.  I grew up on the Atherton Tablelands and I had never been here before, but had heard heaps about it.  We had such good time there and we visited numerous times while we were staying at the beach.  Again, here’s some photos from Sarah Kendall Photography (I’m loving this having my own blog photographer stuff – I must be hitting the big time – lucky she does family rates!) to show you what we got up to.

Josephine Falls – the top pool.

Kipp and I watching all the action.

Grammy & Dylan

Grammy & Tobes (I love this shot!)

Waterfall riding fun!

Love the googles Jacko!

Jack & Caleb took on the white water!

The water was freezing, but once you were in it was beautiful!  It was quite deep so definitely a little tricky for young kids but we managed, using pool noodles, keep everybody afloat and safe.  There are some lovely little rock pools to swim in too.  It’s a short and pretty easy, well paved, walk into the falls from the car park.  The top pools are unsafe for swimming and it is a little bit of a scramble over the rocks to get into the swimming hole in the bottom pool, but we managed it ok even with a baby, grandies and lots of young kids. We were lucky the first day we went to have the place to ourselves when we arrived, but soon after a tour group of backpackers arrived and it was very busy!  Lots of people seem to come out and bring a picnic with them, along with their esky lids, boogie boards and blow up boats to slide down the rock slide on!  It really is lots of fun!

Jack at Josephine Falls

All the kids on the first day we visited

The view down to the bottom swimming hole from the walking track stairs

The entry point to the bottom swimming hole – lots of rocks to clamber over

Josephine Falls is fed by rain falling on Mt Bartle Frere, Queensland’s highest peak.  The walking track to climb Mt Bartle Frere (the Eastern side walk) starts from the picnic area at Josephine Falls.  Unfortunately, due to the fact that the falls are at the mercy of rainfall, they can also be a dangerous place – subject to flash flooding, so it is wise to be very careful and check conditions when swimming here.

Uncle Matt laying down the law for all the kids to be careful swimming here!

There are a few picnic tables and some toilets at the car park entry to Josephine Falls, but our large crew just pulled up a piece of grass for our post-swim picnic on the day we visited!

Post swim picnic

Lots of hungry kids after all the water sliding – see how busy it got – check out all the cars!

On the way home from Josephine Falls one morning, we also took a little detour and checked out Golden Hole which is located on the Russell River, only a few kilometres down the road.  It is a beautiful little spot with a great grassed picnic area, but unfortunately there is a sign advising no swimming due to crocodiles.  We didn’t chance going in but several people were swimming.

Golden Hole – Russell River

I would say that you must visit Josephine Falls if you come to explore Tropical North Queensland – it is a spot not to be missed!!

More sliding fun