With summer fast approaching, we cannot wait for the hot weather to kick in so we can go for a swim! But we aren’t talking about visiting Brisbane’s renowned Streets Beach – our sights are set on the spectacular natural scenery of the lesser-known swimming holes in North Brisbane!
There’s something magical about splashing about in secluded creeks set in the nooks and crannies of Queensland’s iconic landscape. In this article we’ve listed a few you may not have heard of, and others that every Brisbanite has been to in past summers but are still just as fun as the first visit! Why not skip the crowded beach and try one of these inland beauties when the weather warms up?
Cedar Creek Falls, Cedar Creek.
Cedar Creek Falls is just a twenty-minute drive from Samford Village and ideal for a quick half-day excursion for North Brisbane residents. After a good rain, there are deep rock pools that are fantastic for exploring, especially if you have tiny tots (or big kids) that are curious about water critters! There are also shallow swimming spots for those that only want to dip their toes. Just make sure you’re searching for Cedar Creek between Mount Glorious and Mount Samson on the map, NOT Cedar Creek near Mount Tamborine (which is just as lovely but will set you up for a much longer trip than anticipated, and in the opposite direction!)
Enoggera Dam, The Gap.
While it’s not as private as other smaller waterholes, Enoggera Dam is still one of the best places to go for a swim inland, in North Brisbane. The dam is part of a convenient, much-loved recreation park where you can find many residents of The Gap and surrounding suburbs mountain biking, walking, canoeing and paddling on the weekends. The playground and expansive grassy slopes make it a perfect place for a family picnic too! It’s just a short twenty-minute drive west of city suburbs such as Bowen Hills and Windsor.
Kondalilla Falls, Montville.
For those looking to get back to nature, Kondalilla Falls is the ultimate swimming hole destination! Wearing your walking shoes and packing your thongs is recommended, as the scenic trek to the falls involves a little bit of hilly terrain. But we promise it’s worth it. There’s nothing quite like swimming amongst the rainforest with the rush of the falls in the background – bliss! You’ll need to make it a day trip as the falls are approximately an hour and a half drive from Brisbane’s Northern suburbs such as Chermside and Aspley.
Rocky Hole, Mount Mee.
Rocky Hole is another secluded beauty perfect for a day trip from Brisbane, but you might want to enlist a mate with a 4WD to carry the crew up north. It’s situated in the Mount Mee section of the D’Aguilar National Park, about an hour and a half north of Michelton and Ferny Grove. You can enter the National Park from Dayboro. There are plenty of boulders around the swimming hole to sit and soak up the sun, a picturesque little swing in the middle of the water, and falls to splash under.
Gardners Falls, Maleny.
Swimming, splashing and general water-based shenanigans are all daily activities carried out at Gardners Falls near Maleny. It’s relatively easy to get to, and just over an hour north of Brisbane in good traffic. There are swinging ropes for the daring in the group and plenty of rock pools to poke around. You may even see a few friendly eels hanging about!
Spin Car Wash offers fast, affordable automated and self-service car washing facilities in Chermside for North Brisbane residents. After you’re done exploring these swimming holes in North Brisbane, Pop in on your way back and give your car a quick wash down, so it’s sparkly and clean again.