Wallaman Falls, Australia
February 03, 2023
Photographer: Rick Stankiewicz
Summary Author: Rick Stankiewicz
The Territory of Queensland in Australia holds many sites to seen, true gems worth viewing. Along the northern coast, 110 km (69 mi) north of Townsville, is the small town of Ingham, travelling 40 km (25 mi) to the west you’ll enter Girringun National Park. It’s here that you can find Wallaman Falls, Australia’s highest single-drop waterfall, at 268 m (879 ft). The cascading water forms a white ribbon or “horsetail,” which is a striking sight against the dark cliff face over which it tumbles.
The falling water has the illusion of vaporizing before entering the 20 m (66 ft) deep pool below. There is a trail down the floor of the gorge across from the base of the falls, but the view from the lookout is spectacular. This “Wet Tropics” region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the falls is apparently ranked 294th highest single-drop waterfall in the world. The water course it falls from is Stony Creek, a tributary of the Herbert River that flows to the Coral s Sea. Note that the excessive amount of spray allows for rainbows when the sun is directly behind the viewer (pictured above).
While travelling through this area on May 6th, 2014, I didn’t see any cassowaries (picture of road sign) or bettong, though this region is noted for both. The roads through this impressive national park are tight and twisting, but the surface is good enough for most vehicles. I recommend the drive if you’re in the area and have the time.
Photo details: Canon XTi camera; 24mm lens; ISO 200; f/10; 1/250th second exposure.
Wallaman Falls, Queensland, Australia Coordinates: -18.589556, 145.8052042
Related Links:
Kata Tjuta Waterfalls and Rainbow