Malanda Falls         
      Visitor Centre

"Volcanoes, rainforests and tree-kangaroos...come share our story"

Rainforest Shop

The Malanda Falls Visitor Centre houses a well stocked shop with a range of local produce, books and maps, children’s gifts, and souvenirs.

Fresh from the local tea plantations and coffee estates are the fresh teas and coffees of the Atherton Tablelands. Locally produced honey and dried fruits such as mango and pineapple and handmade soaps are also popular. Our area is home to many talented artists, and locally made pottery and artwork, jewellery, cards, didgeridoos and gift tags are also on sale.

Our selection of books includes locally written and published historical works; popular natural history books including field guides to local flora and fauna; and specialist books on the geology and indigenous history of our region. We also maintain a range of current maps and guides, children’s activity books and games and CDs.

Our shop stocks a wide range of souvenirs from our region; from tea towels and postcards, to t-shirts and posters. All proceeds from our shop sales are reinvested in our Centre. If you are searching for a special gift, contact us for our up to date book list, we can post to anywhere in Australia.

Walks at the Malanda Falls Conservation Park

The rainforest surrounding the Malanda Falls Visitor Centre was once part of a much larger area of forest which formed the country of the local Ngadjon-ji people. It remains a very special place. Waters of the Johnston River tumble over a basalt ledge at the edge of a former lava flow, falling into the sandy pool below, a popular swimming and picnic area for locals and visitors alike. The forest has a complex mix of plant species and wildlife, and good viewing platforms to the Johnston River. Visitors can enjoy two easy self guided walking trails, picnic or swim at the falls, or take a guided walk with a local Ngadjon elder.

Self-guided Walking Trails

The Tulip Oak Walk and the Rainforest Walk (each about a km) both start from the car park adjacent to the Malanda Falls Visitor Centre. A free map of the trails can be obtained from the Centre. Allow 30-40 minutes for each walk to really enjoy the rainforest, walk slowly and quietly and you may be rewarded with a surprise wildlife encounter.

The Park provides one of the best places to spot local wildlife such as the Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo, Green Ringtail Possums, and the forest has a bird list of well over 50 species, including some of the wet tropics endemics such as Victoria's riflebird and the grey-headed robin. Click here for a bird list of the Atherton Tablelands region. Platypus and turtles are regularly spotted in the river and swimming pool at the falls. A diary of tree kangaroo sightings is kept at the Visitor Centre, so please report any sightings after your walk.

There are picnic and bbq facilities and public toilets adjacent to the Malanda Falls. Please note however that camping and dogs are not allowed. Stay on the tracks, do not disturb the wildlife, and leave the forest as you find it - remember many of the rainforest fruits are toxic! More information, field guides and reference books are available at the Visitor Centre. For more information on the forest vegetation and tree species, visit the Queensland parks and forests website.

Rainforest Dreaming Guided Walks.
Walk the tracks, follow the footsteps and feel the echoes of thousands of years of culture and dreaming. To really discover the rainforest, book a guided walk with members of the Ngadjon-ji tribe. Elder Ernie Raymont has been guiding visitors through the Malanda rainforests for many years and has an in depth knowledge of the forest and its wildlife. Ernie has been recently joined by his grandson, Drew Morta, who shares his grandfather’s respect for their traditional culture and understanding of the forest. The hour long interpretive walk allows visitors to gain an insight into the Ngadjonji people and their lives in the forest as well as learning some of the traditional uses of the local plants. The walk offers great opportunities for viewing the local wildlife, with regular sightings of both tree kangaroos and possums. Round off your walk with a home cooked morning tea at the adjacent Tree Kangaroo Café.

Walk with Drew or Ernie on Wednesdays to Sundays at 9.30 and 11am. Bookings for their Rainforest Dreaming are highly recommended as numbers are limited. For further information and to make a booking, telephone the Centre on (07) 4096 6957. Guided walks at other times for groups and schools can also be arranged. For current times, prices and options, click here.