Regardless of being the most important (and finest) waterfall in Mt Barney Nationwide Park, Paddy’s Falls and is saved fairly beneath wraps. Explorer Miranda went deep to search out this one and it turned out to be greater than value it.
We Are Explorers acknowledges that this journey is positioned on the normal Nations of the Mununjali, Githabul, and Yugambeh individuals who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for hundreds of years. We pay our respects to them because the Conventional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was by no means ceded.
Fast Overview
Paddys Falls is an 18m-high waterfall, positioned in Queensland’s Mt Barney Nationwide Park. Driving from Brisbane, it ought to take round 2 hours to succeed in. The 9km return hike to the falls and again is a reasonably difficult stroll that takes 4-6 hours to finish.
Paddy’s Falls Information
Distance: 9km return
Time: 4-6 hours return – nearer to six hours with lengthy breaks, swimming, and photographs
Elevation achieve: 250m
About Mt Barney Nationwide Park
Most individuals consider Mt Barney Nationwide Park because the place to go for intense rock scrambling and tough ascents to make it to one of many many peaks.
Learn extra: Mt Barney: A Information to Climbing QLD’s Most Lovely Peak
Typically sizzling, dry, and primarily all bush, this park might be not what involves thoughts when searching for a swimming oasis away from the crowds.
I’ve been to Decrease Portals many instances (Barney’s foremost swimming gap) however being a preferred observe, hikers normally need to share with dozens of others – even on weekdays. After I stumbled throughout a brief weblog on Paddy’s Falls on-line, I used to be sceptical to say the least. All of the grainy cellphone photographs individuals had posted confirmed a dried-up wall surrounded by even drier bush.
Monitor notes had been pretty nondescript, however I had a topo map so I believed, why not? I managed to spherical up some mates who had been much more sceptical than I used to be, but it surely’d been raining all week so we had a flicker of hope.
Learn extra: First In a single day Hike to Mt Barney
Methods to Get to Paddy’s Falls in Mt Barney Nationwide Park
Mt Barney Nationwide Park is approx. 1.5 hour drive from Brisbane. Following Higher Logan Street (that results in Yellow Pinch automobile park), flip off onto Seidenspinner Street, the dust highway that results in Decrease Portals automobile park however flip left onto Drynans Street as a substitute.
Go by way of the primary gate (be sure that to shut it behind you if that is the way you discovered it). After a couple of minutes, you’ll go over Rocky Creek which, following extreme rain, can come over the tracks so be cautious. The subsequent gate with an outdated hut is only some hundred metres previous this creek with some cleared grassy spots for parking. Don’t undergo the second gate, that is non-public property.
Please observe! If Rocky Creek is flowing over the highway, the primary creek crossing within the hike can be tough however the falls can be pumping.
Talent Stage
Superior
The hike is just not notably tough or lengthy, however requires primary navigation, map studying talents, and entails a significant river crossing. There are not any indicators or markers alongside the best way. Be cautious of the river situations following rain.
Important Gear
- Mt Barney Nationwide Park map and compass
- 2L of water (3L+ in summer time plus electrolytes)
- Heat layers for after swimming
- Dry luggage for the creek crossing
- Rain jacket
- Head torch, simply in case
- Sandals for creek crossings
- Lunch, snacks (thermos of sizzling tea if swimming)
- Hat
- Lengthy sleeves
- Sunscreen (particularly for summer time)
- First assist equipment
- Absolutely charged cellphone (restricted reception)
- GPS machine or watch (optionally available)
Learn extra: Keep in mind to go away no hint!
What It’s Wish to Hike to Paddy’s Falls
The beginning of the hike is on the finish of Drynan Street, which, you probably have a low-clearance 2WD like me, could make the drive a bit spicy after quite a lot of rain. There’s just one creek crossing, which isn’t too dangerous, but it surely’s a mud highway that will get muddy and overgrown in sections. We parked on the second closed gate the place there’s an outdated constructing – that is the beginning of the hike.
Now, earlier than you rush to prepare, maintain the boots within the pack for now and chuck on a pair of sandals, as a result of 100 metres into the hike is one respectable creek crossing! Observe the fence from the vehicles to the left and also you’ll come throughout a Nationwide Parks signal and a observe – observe this to Barney Creek.
Please observe! Following rain, this crossing may be harmful with sturdy currents – play it protected and convey a buddy, and don’t be afraid to name it off.
We had been greeted by excessive waters and flooded banks, hardly a rock hop throughout. We nearly rotated proper then and there. However we tentatively shuffled in, holding our packs up because the water got here as much as the waist, and managed to push by way of the sturdy currents with out nice issue.
Fortunately, we had been a giant group and helped one another throughout, dragging the hobbits amongst us by way of with massive sticks.
From right here, it’s clean crusing alongside a fireplace path. Observe it alongside for a number of kilometres, till the path involves a fork. The best fork leads straight right down to the creek, which you’ll observe all the best way to the falls, but it surely’s sluggish going and overgrown. The left foremost path leads up a hill to the highest of the falls and a few spectacular views.
On the prime, I like to recommend heading off the path and straight proper by way of open bushland, which’ll take you to the sting overlooking the falls. Observe the sting alongside till you discover the best strategy to scramble right down to the falls (watch out of free rocks). For those who’re not snug scrambling, it’s finest to take the rock-hopping route alongside the creek.
Learn extra: Waterfall & Swimming Gap Security
Holy COW! Paddy’s Falls is completely torrential, we had been gobsmacked! Mount Barney Nationwide Park has a waterfall, and it’s HUGE.
Evidently, we took our time swimming and having lunch on the base. The water was chilly however refreshing after the hike.
Once more, return both rock hopping down steam or scramble up both facet of the falls to the observe.
Profitable scout-out achieved!
FAQs for Climbing Paddy’s Falls
What hikes are close to Paddy’s Falls?
Mt Maroon is nice day hike you are able to do that’s not removed from Paddy’s Falls, and if you happen to’re as much as it – tack on the facet quest of visiting its caves too. In order for you an in a single day journey, there’s the formidable Mt Barney you may tackle, and if you happen to select to do it as a day trek be sure to go away early as it’s fairly lengthy, steep, and climate may be unpredictable.
The place can I get meals, petrol, or some additional provides on the best way to Paddy’s Falls?
For those who’re driving from Brisbane or the Gold Coast, your most secure wager could be Beaudesert. It’s the most important city you’ll discover out that manner and will have all the required provides you want for a enjoyable day trip.
