SECRET VALLEY
PARADISE ON DOORSTEP:
DON’T let the warning sign about stinging trees dissuade you from discovering a stunning ‘secret’ waterfall close to Cairns.
While most people will make a beeline for Crystal Cascades, deep in the Redlynch Valley, the little known Fairy Falls can be found a short walk through the rainforest surrounding the popular swimming spot.
From the northern end of the carpark at Crystal Cascades, find the trail past the stinging tree sign and follow it through the rainforest.
After about 500m, you will emerge at the creek itself, where you need to do some boulder-hopping, before you find the grotto-like falls.
Fairy Falls is small, but deep and perfect for a dip during the sweltering humidity of a Cairns summer.
There is an amazing fig tree whose roots extend over the right side of the rocks, several metres down to the water.
At the moment, there is a large tree that has become lodged under the waterfall, providing a convenient yet slippery ladder to climb up above the swimming hole — just make sure you don’t fall in shallow water and steer clear of rocks.
The rainforest canopy shrouds you from the sun’s harsh rays, and there are plenty of nooks and crannies among the rocks to sit and relax, with the soothing sound of the water running in the background.