Tucked away in the Mossman Gorge section of the Daintree Rainforest, Cassowary Falls is a secluded single-drop waterfall that cascades over granite rock into a pristine freshwater pool. Surrounded by towering ancient ferns (including the massive King Fern), climbing palms, and dense rainforest — this World Heritage-listed oasis offers crystal-clear, croc-free swimming in a natural amphitheatre of mossy boulders. Named after the majestic Southern Cassowary that roams the surrounding property, it's a serene slice of ancient Gondwana rainforest accessible only by guided tour.
Cassowary Falls
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Wave Height 0.1 mSwell Period 4.0 sWind Speed 6.0 knPrecipitation 14 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Low risk: Freshwater Eels
The pool contains a resident population of freshwater eels that may be encountered while swimming. They are generally harmless but can startle swimmers.
Low risk: Slippery Rocks
Mossy rocks around the waterfall and pool edge can be extremely slippery when wet.
Low risk: Uneven Pool Bottom
The pool is deep enough for swimming but has uneven bottom terrain with natural rock formations.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
2 photos from the community
Getting in
Snorkel tour
Entry
Located at 263 Upper Daintree Road, in the Mossman Gorge section of the Daintree Rainforest, about 80 km north of Cairns. Access is by guided tour only — the falls are on private property. No 4WD required; standard 2WD vehicles can reach the gate.
Parking & facilities
Free on-site parking available at the tour meeting point at 263 Upper Daintree Road. Arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled tour time (typically 10am or 1pm). Only a 15-metre walk from the parking area to the tour vehicle assembly point, then a short guided walk to the falls and pool area. No 4WD,
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports