As you plan your trip to Cedar Creek Waterfall in Samford (and not the waterfall in Mount Tamborine; they have the same name), you’ll read information about Cedar Creek Rock Pools. They’re one of the most famous rock pools near Brisbane. The rock pools are a popular spot for kids and easy to access from the road. It may make you think there’s no walking involved. And it’s true, Cedar Creek is lovely, and you won’t have to walk to enjoy it. The first rock pools are very close to the road. But if you want to see the lovely Cedar Creek Waterfall, then don’t trust Google Maps: you’ll have to walk a little bit!
Responsible travel tip: Did you know your sunscreen can pollute the water and harm animals? The best way to protect your body from the sun is to cover it with long sleeves and pants. If you do have to use sunscreen, choose a mineral one (like zinc) to avoid harmful substances (see the full list here) and apply it at least 20 minutes before entering the water.
We found the walk to Cedar Creek Waterfall quite easy, but there are a few things you should know.
The road going up along Cedar Creek ends before what Google Maps indicate; the end of the road is private and cannot be accessed. The furthest you can go by car is just after the bridge, about 1 kilometre away from Cedar Creek Waterfall. And that’s if you’re lucky to find a spot to park your car that far on the road. Parking spots are very limited, and Cedar Creek Rock Pools is quite popular on weekends and during school holidays.
We didn’t find the walk to Cedar Creek Waterfall difficult.
It took us about 30 minutes to reach the bottom of the falls, at a slow pace to enjoy the beautiful creek. But it involved some rock scrambling, and some rocks were very slippery. There is no path to the waterfall, you have to walk in or along the creek. So you’ll want to have your hands free to go all the way to Cedar Creek Waterfall.
Although some do it barefoot, it’s also recommended to have good shoes with a grip. Remember to always be extra careful on wet rocks, plus those with moss and those that are black and smooth.
When the rocks were too tall or steep, we often found a longer route through the trees to avoid climbing. As it had rained a few days before, the mud and roots were very slippery too so we had to be careful, even away from the rocks.
No real rock climbing was needed.
There was always a spot with natural steps to help us climb up or down. Still, we needed our hands a few times, especially with my short legs. Most people will find it fun and easy. But it does require a bit of balance and effort. If you’ve never done rock scrambling, you may find it harder. But if you take your time and have no mobility issues, you should be able to find a way to the waterfall. And if it becomes too difficult for you, then you can simply turn around and enjoy how far you’ve gone; it can be fun to just give it a go!
I find going down is often more challenging than going up. The safest and easiest technique on slippery rocks, which I know isn’t sexy, is to sit down and slide or go with four legs. I’m faster this way!
You can continue walking along the creek after Cedar Creek Waterfall.
If you push a little bit further, you can see the start of Black Creek and then Love Creek. Adventurers may want to continue to check out the Love Falls or even complete the Love Falls Circuit. We stopped soon after the top of Cedar Creek Waterfall so I can’t give any tips about what’s happening after.
Responsible travel tip: There’s no rubbish bin or toilets at this beautiful remote site. Make sure you plan ahead to leave no trace. You’ll have to bring back your rubbish with you (and some extra that other visitors may have left behind, unfortunately). If you really need to go to the toilets, use the leave no trace principles to preserve the site.
If you need facilities, you can head to Andy Williams Park and its picnic area. There are toilets, rubbish bins, picnic tables and open green spaces just near Cedar Creek.
Is it worth walking to Cedar Creek Waterfall?
Absolutely. Going up Cedar Creek is fun, and a good way to get a spot to enjoy nature just by yourself. The further you go from the road, the fewer people you’ll find. We visited on an overcast Saturday afternoon and only saw a few other couples on their way to the waterfall.
Although it’s not the most impressive waterfall near Brisbane, Cedar Creek Waterfall looked good after some rain. It’s also quite special to be able to swim in the pool where the waterfall pours. It’s a lovely spot to enjoy nature.
If you don’t want to walk, you can still have fun at Cedar Creek.
Cedar Creek will please adventurers seeking fun times in nature. But it’s also a great spot to just relax with the little ones. If you’re not sure about your abilities to go up and down the creek, you won’t waste your time going to Cedar Creek to see what it’s about. You really don’t need to go all the way to Cedar Creek Waterfalls to enjoy beautiful nature scenery. The rock pools are lovely even before the waterfall.
Make sure you check the recent local alerts
Creeks are often not safe after heavy rain. Always check local information and weather forecast before walking or swimming in a creek as it may be dangerous.
Where is Cedar Creek Waterfall?
Cedar Creek is located in Samford, just outside Brisbane (north). It took us less than one hour to drive there from Brisbane CBD. The drive was lovely at the end, as we went across the countryside and then on narrow roads in the forest along Cedar Creek.
Hi, where are the details on the walking route to falls? We visited recently and it is not clear if you have to keep walking down the road through the gate, along the creek itself which isn’t so easy Tnx!
Hi! We went along the creek; there was no walking route to the waterfall when we visited. We could often find detours on the side of the creek when the rock scrambling was becoming harder. I added a sentence to the article to make it clearer (“there is no path to the waterfall, you have to walk in or along the creek”). I hope you still enjoyed your time in at the pools!