Gardners Falls – What to expect
Gardners Falls is only a 5 kilometer drive from Maleny township.
It is on an accessible section of the same Obi Obi creek which runs through town on its way to Baroon Pocket Dam.
Unlike other waterfalls in the Maleny area, here the falls do not offer long spectacular cascades.
Even so, these falls are very popular because they are so easy to get to, and offer a convenient waterside playground in Summer.
When you reach the end of Obi Lane South, you will arrive at a small Car park. The 20 space car park, single unisex toilet block, and picnic tables situated nearby are the only facilities provided here.
Everything else you need you will need to bring with you.
Just an Easy stroll to Gardners Falls
Leaving the car park, you will follow a slightly elevated walkway which runs for 300 meters beside the Obi Obi creek.
This path is suitable for wheelchairs for much of its length, but not as you approach the main falls and swimming area.
Looking down at the creek itself, about a meter below the path, it looks placid and inviting.
Just a gently flowing, shallow stream alternating between broad pools, and the small eddies which define them.
The Power of Water
Only a hundred meters or so along the path you will see a reminder of just how much this waterway changes when the heavy rains come through.
On those occasions this relatively narrow gorge, like the others in this region, quickly becomes a ragging angry Torrent.
Large,heavy trees lay discarded by the water, meters above its current level.
Large trees are no competition for the Obi Obi creek when it is in that state.
Shallow Pools before the Falls
Most of the way in, the area between the path and the Creek will be a relatively flat, rock plateau.
Whilst slightly uneven, the rocks make it easy to get to the water.
Children can play in the pools, or you can just to dangle your feet and enjoy the cool water
Naturally, flat smooth rocks get very slippery when water is added. So, care is needed especially with little ones.
The First Small Waterfall
About 250 meters from the Car park you will reach the first of the two larger cascades at Gardners Falls.
Here the water drops about 2 meters to produce a small waterfall flowing into a slightly deeper pool.
This area is great for cooling off and relaxing but it is not really deep enough for swimming. You also need to watch for broken glass below the surface here.
With a length of about 50 meters, this pool is the final collection point before the creek empties from the western end creating the main Waterfall here.
At this point the smooth, easy to negotiate walking path has ended. Moving alongside the swimming hole mean picking your way along an uneven, jagged and often muddy path.
Gardners Falls -Main Pool
With a drop of about 4-5 meters it is only a modest waterfall. But, because it’s narrow, the water moves through under considerable pressure, forming the main swimming hole.
Here the water is deep, and there are often one or more Rope swings which will deposit you out into the depths of the waterhole.
Walking to the downstream end of the main pool, provides the easiest entry. At this point you can easily and safely wade in and begin swimming up into the deep water.
Don’t ignore the signs
It must be noted that local authorities warn of unseen rocks and broken glass below the water.
Diving here is prohibited, so using the rope swings, whilst popular, certainly comes with some risk. A young visitor died after jumping from the rope in November 2022. Sadly this incident occurred just before he booked his ticket home to India having completed his studies here.
That is the third drowning in the last three years. Please heed the posted warning signs. These waterways are constantly changing and submerged objects are not always visible.
Although the water here is deep, it is usually also a little murky and anything below the water cannot be seen.
Tranquility of Gardners Falls
Overall, the area known as Gardners Falls is a beautiful, natural waterway running through a relatively narrow gorge.
There are no overnight stays or animals allowed here.
With the creek surrounded by grassy mounds, rainforest, and flat rock shelves there are endless picnic spots.
Photographers, visitors and locals love the place, making it a busy destination on warm summer days, or holiday weekends.
As you navigate the uneven paths around the main waterhole, keep an eye out for the family of Water Dragons living here. They are harmless if left alone.
From the range of sizes we saw, it seems like multiple generations call this home.
This spectacular male was almost a meter long.
