Backyard Tourist: Cedar Creek Falls and Rock Pools

MOUNT Tamborine’s Cedar Creek rock pools are a secret to many, but for those in the know there’s no better place to go. This is everything you need to know.

WHEN it rains, it pours … and when it pours, these pools become nature’s spa with swirling, bubbling waters .

A cold spa, mind you - but isn’t that part of the fun after a hot summer storm?

Mount Tamborine’s Cedar Creek rock pools are a secret to many, but for those in the know there’s no better place to go.

Beautiful Cedar Creek! Photo: Tim Caracao

Below Cedar Creek Falls lie a series of plunge pools formed in natural amphitheatres of rock which send the water cascading downstream off smooth, slippery rocks.

The surrounding rocks are flat and smooth and perfect for laying out in the sun.

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The three pools which are easily accessible from the track are open for swimming.

There is another larger beautiful pool downstream and a couple more on the same stretch but these are closed for swimming for safety reasons. However, the three pools that are open are great for a dip in a naturally stunning area.

Danielle and Damien Ross-Jarry enjoy a dip at Cedar Creek Falls. Picture: David/Clark

Just be aware that the bottom of the pools is rocky, uneven and slippery, so take care.

Finding the pools is not difficult, nor is the walk. Simply follow Cedar Creek Falls Road to the end where you’ll see a car park and picnic area.

From here head to the Cedar Creek Falls lookout and do as it says, drinking in the view, then walk 900m down a tarmac path and over a wooden walkway which takes you to the first of the three pools where swimming is allowed.

The Cedar Creek falls and Rock pools ... Off the well known tourist beaten track. Picture Mike Batterham

The lookout over the falls is wheelchair accessible but the remainder of the walk is not.

Eat and drink

Hickory is an American-style barbecue joint nestled among the thick forest of Mount Tamborine that specialises in slow-cooked meats and too-easy-to-drink cocktails. Owned by a trio of mates, Hickory is all about sweet and tender farm-raised pork ribs, tasty-as chicken wings, crisp beers and inventive bar mixes. It’s the perfect spot to fill your stomach after a day slow-cooking yourself in the sunshine, just bags not being the designated driver.

Hickory Mt Tamborine

While you’re there … do

With its unusual and vibrantly coloured shops, art galleries, wineries, restaurants and cafes, Gallery Walk shopping precinct is definitely one of Tamborine’s most well-known and popular visitor attractions. From original artworks, glass works, pottery, ceramics, antiques and jewellery to the fun and frivolous shops selling gifts, sweets and souvenirs, it’s a destination that can suit any budget. One can’t-miss shop is - conveniently located at the centre of Gallery Walk - is the famous Granny Macs, which holds a worldwide reputation for its creamy fudge and old-fashioned confectionary.

Gallery Walk at Mt Tamborine in the Gold Coast hinterland.

Discover

Don’t let this keep you out of the water … but look out for the long-finned eel swimming in the pool shadows. Chances are, it will just be chilling out as this creature has one hectic life. Long-finned eels begin their life far out at sea, riding the currents down the east coast in search of estuaries. They undertake a gruelling upstream migration, wriggling up waterfalls and travelling over wet ground to find sanctuary in freshwater rivers and creeks. After decades, eels make one final journey —travelling thousands of kilometres to return to the sea—to breed and die. Charming.