Cairns' Best-Kept Swimming Holes
Clean, Fresh, Secluded and Jelly-fish Free Swimming in Cairns, Aus.
Tired of swimming with the stingers? A look at five of the best fresh water swimming holes in Cairns Australia. Tips on how to get there, what to expect and what to pack
Tired of going to the beach only to see a sign that says "No swimming. Jellyfish in Area?" Don't retire those swimming trunks just yet. Cairns, Australia is filled with secret swimming areas that are jelly-free. These swimming holes are quieter and more secluded than the beaches and cleaner than the lagoon. All of them also offer fresh clear water and no nasty little stingers! So grab those swimming trunks, jump in the truck and enjoy what nature has created!
Ross & Lock
Located south of Cairns, about twenty kilometres along the Gilies Highway, Ross & Lock is a fresh-water swimming hole surrounded by rocks and trees. On weekends, it is a favourite with families and teenagers wanting to float down the river. The water is shallow enough in some areas to just sit in and cool down, yet deep enough in other places to go for a nice relaxing swim or jump off the rope swing. No matter what you prefer, Ross & Lock is the perfect place to chill.
Emerald Creek Falls
Twenty kilometres past Kuranda, is Emerald Creek Falls, a National Park deep in the valley. After turning at the Emerald Creek turnoff just before Mareeba, drive for fifteen more kilometres on both sealed and unsealed road. Travel in a four-wheel drive to avoid getting stuck. There is a 900 meter guided walk to the top of the cascading waterfall. However, there is also easy access off the track to the waterfalls itself which provides excellent swimming holes, slippery rock waterslides and warm granite boulders perfect for sunbaking. Plus, the views of the waterfalls and tropical forest are simply breathtaking and the toilet and campfire facilities make it an ideal spot for a picnic.
Crystal Cascades
Another secluded fresh water swimming hole, Crystal Cascades is located seven kilometres past the Redlynch turnoff. Like Emerald Creek Falls, the Cascades offers about a one kilometre walk to the waterfall itself. There are plenty of pools along the way, all surrounded by hefty boulders and developed rainforest. The water is crisp, clear and cold, so remember to bring a towel to warm up after the chilly dip.
Lake Placid
The perfect family outing, Lake Placid offers a whole day full of fun. Lake Placid, which is actually a natural pond in the Barron River, was created by a rock barrage. It is the perfect spot for a swim and a picnic. The facilities feature water toys for hire, a restaurant and bar with delightful fish and chips, indoor and outdoor seating and fully accessible toilets. From Cairns, follow the Captain Cook Highway south until the Sky Rail roundabout. Turn left and follow the road past the school. Turn right at the sign for Lake Placid and follow the road to the end.
The Goldborough Valley
The Goldborough Valley that once glistened with gold was formerly a miner’s dream location. Now, although the gold has run out, the Goldborough Valley still offers a perfect place to get away. The Goldborough Valley is a campsite with all the basic facilities from toilets to fire pits. Furthermore, the Valley offers hiking trails to a large waterfall and access to the Mulgrave River, a perfect spot to swim, canoe, and relax in the refreshing clean water. To get to the Goldborough Valley, drive south along the Bruce Highway, turn right on the Gilies Highway for about 20 kilometres. Cross over the “Peets Bridge” and follow the sealed row for 15 kilometres through the rolling hills of the Valley.
So take a break from the dangerous Northern Beaches and go to Cairns, where there is always a fresh-water swimming hole nearby that promises no crowded beach, no itchy salt water and no painful stings!
