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Want to escape the sultry summer heat? The rainforest waterways are calling your name, and if you’re in Cairns, check out the Old Weir Falls at Stoney Creek. A 20 minute drive from the city, Stoney Creek is beloved by locals and offers lots of different places to swim and relax. For those wanting a walk with their swim, then follow the pipe up the hill to Old Weir Falls, which has a shaded, cool pool of clear water to refresh and revive the spirit. It’s a 1km walk each way on an unformed dirt pathway with some natural steps, it is shaded and takes around 30 minutes at a comfortable pace.
We went on 2 January 2025. Arrived at 3pm and out by 5pm, which was perfect timing to avoid the crowds, heat of the day and afternoon storms.
Stoney Creek is a part of the Barron Gorge National Park and Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, which is home to the world’s longest continually surviving tropical rainforests – which are older than the Amazon and home to plants and animals found nowhere else on earth. The Stoney Creek part of the Barron Gorge National Park has been made famous by Kuranda Scenic Railway; as one of its many waterfalls is a prominent photo and postcard moment, along the historic rail journey from Cairns to Kuranda, the Village in the Rainforest.
For locals though, the lowlands area of Stoney Creek in the leafy suburb of Kamerunga, is a beloved place to swim, refresh and revive. There are no crocodiles here and the water depth varies from just centimetres to a couple of metres, so people of all ages can find a comfortable place in the cool fresh water.
We’ve been many times over the years, but not recently visited Old Weir Falls at Stoney Creek, which was our destination for today. We waited until mid-afternoon and made our way up the hill, passing many others coming back down. Climbing to the top, we were delighted to find our pool of choice had no visitors other than ourselves. The clear water was tumbling down the rockface and blue dragonflies danced on the waters surface. It’s moments and places like these, that make us fall in love with Cairns time and time again.
How do you get to Old Weir Falls, Stoney Creek? It’s pretty easy – if you have a car, you can Google and drive your way to the Stoney Creek Car Park, Stoney Creek Road in Kamerunga, which is about 20 minutes north of Cairns city. There is usually plenty of car parks. Once you are there, you will see signs for the Barron Gorge National Park. Take the formed pathway past the signage hub and over the bridge, at this juncture you will see directional signage pointing right towards the ‘Douglas Track’ and ‘Glacier Rock’, ignore this and continue straight ahead following the old ‘pipe’.
It’s a relatively steep climb at the start for around 100m, but then it levels out for a while before continuing up the hillside with some undulating terrain and unformed steps. The path is not overly-difficult, but there are some tangled roots and slippery rocks and we do recommend wearing closed in shoes. There were some people in thongs and bare feet, but they were regretting their choices and ‘dancing’ over the stones. The walk to Old Weir Falls from the car park is 1km one-way, which takes around 30 minutes. It is shaded the entire way and from time to time you enjoy cool breezes, blowing off the adjacent water way. There’s lots of places you can stop along the way, with many pretty pools with little rapids, accessed on short side paths – but we wanted to get to the top, so we walked on to our destination – Old Weir Falls, Stoney Creek.
“Make sure you allow the time to admire the natural beauty surrounding you; there’s many different layers of rainforest, and a rich diversity of plant life, representing all its life cycles. From bracket fungi and butterflies to boulders and dragonflies, epiphytes, ferns and moss, vines and towering trees. There’s rocks of all shapes and sizes, jumbled and thrown around by the power of the water that must sometimes crash down the mountainside. It’s a beautiful destination and one we are so lucky to have on our very doorstep.” – Julie Johnston
Yes, the Old Weir Falls at Stoney Creek is worth visiting. We went for a late afternoon swim on 2 January 2025 and thought it was the perfect place to refresh and revive. Lots of cool, clear water – no people – just a beautiful, natural place.
The easiest way to get to Old Weir Falls at Stoney Creek is to self-drive to the Stoney Creek Car Park, Stoney Creek Road in Kamerunga, which is about 20 minutes north of Cairns city. From there, walk across the bridge and then take the trail straight ahead, following the old ‘pipe’ (do NOT follow the directional signage pointing right towards the ‘Douglas Track’ and ‘Glacier Rock’). It’s a 1km walk to Old Weir Falls which at a comfortable pace, will take around 30 minutes each way.
This all depends on the water level at your time of visit. We visited in January 2025 and the falls itself was around 30 feet high, the pool at the bottom is relatively shallow (you can stand up under the water – do NOT jump in) and the pool was around the same size as an Olympic swimming pool, with varying depths.
Yes, the Old Weir Falls at Stoney Creek is family friendly, as long as all members of the family can confidently swim. If you are not confident in running water and/or have little children, then there are many pools you will pass by on the way to Old Weir Falls which might prove better for you.
No, this is in a National Park which is a part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. You can not take pets to the Old Weir Falls at Stoney Creek.
You can hike, explore, swim and relax at the Old Weir Falls at Stoney Creek. Take your camera as there are lots of photo opportunities and depending on your time of visit, lots of wildlife. We saw birds, butterflies and dragonflies (and mosquitos – take some insect repellent).
No, there are no facilities at the Old Weir Falls at Stoney Creek. Make sure you take your rubbish in and out with you. Leave only footprints, take only memories and photos.
There is lots to do at Stoney Creek, pending the weather, time of year, your interests and fitness levels. You can continue your walk up to the Stoney Creek waterfall, that is adjacent to the Kuranda Scenic Railway tracks. This is a great photo opportunity.
You might like to also explore some of the other swimming spots along the walk, and keep your eyes peeled for local rainforest plants and animals.
You can also choose to follow the directional signage at the start of the walk to Glacier Rock. This is challenging walk, but affords amazing views looking back over the Barron Delta, northern suburbs, cane fields and out to the Coral Sea. Allow at least half a day for this walk and take lots of drinking water and snacks.
Old Weir Falls at Stoney Creek Cairns is set amongst a beautiful landscape, crafted by nature and shaped by storms and time, no doubt enjoyed by countless people over the years, from across the lands. It’s the perfect place to escape the steamy summer heat, with shaded waterholes and fresh breeze cooled by the cool rainforest water. It’s a little patch of paradise in a tiny slice of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests. Old Weir Falls at Stoney Creek is one of the many places we are thankful for as locals, places that are the one of the hallmarks of our home, where Rainforest meets Reef. Please note: Be watchful of seasonal storms and sudden downpours, that can transform these places of serenity to places of raw and thundering waterways, dangerous for swimming and exploring.
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© I Love Cairns 2025
