Wallaman Falls. Walk Report.
Experience the power of Wallaman Falls with Townsville Bushwalking Club’s 1962 walk report. Despite heavy rains, the group reached Australia’s tallest single-drop waterfall, witnessing roaring cascades, swirling clouds, and luminous spray. A classic North Queensland bushwalking adventure.

Date: 28, 29 & 30 Jan, 1962.
Party: Beryl Morris, Peter Evans, Graham Mills, Gwenda Cameron, Neil Brock, Roy Fone (Leader).
Style of outing: | Bushwalk.
Rating: medium.
Transport: Land Rover, provided by Godbs.
Distance travelled by vehicle: 136 miles each way.
Ingham to the Falls: approx. 55 mins.
Map used: 4 inch Ingham military sheet.
There had been much heavy rain in the Ingham area all the week (some estimated 15 inches) and it was by no means a sure thing that we could reach the Falls at all. But we set out at 8pm on Friday afternoon to get as far as possible. So quote Gwenda:- "We must press on, regardless". Our camp on Friday night was at the patch of wonga trees about half way up the range to Mt. Fox. It was raining heavily.
Away to a good start in the morning and reached the falls at 10.30am. The road was slippery and some creek crossings were badly eroded, but we had no undue trouble. It was raining lightly.
We were greeted by subdued rumbling and a swirling cloud of white vapour - Stoney Creek running a banker and dropping 950 feet in its headlong lash into the gorge.
It was certainly a sight to remember. From our vantage point about 700 yards downstream we were able to see the whole fall; from where it leaped out from the side of the chasm until it disappeared into the boiling mass of white spray swirling around its feet. There was such violent wild turbulence, that small streams falling in the other side of the gorge were driven upwards, and were prevented from falling with the pool. These apparently became vapourized, without reaching the bottom, and joined the confusion of cloud about the gorge.
Whether or not it was an effect of reflection, I do not know, but there seemed to be a quantity of light produced at the very impact of the mass of water at the bottom. I have never heard of such a phenomenon before, but there were flashes of very bright white vapours released periodically, which seemed to be luminous. We did not see the falls at night, or we could have made sure of this.
In the afternoon there was some talk of going to the foot of the falls down the east side. But after a close look at Stoney Creek, we decided it would be easier to walk some way down the west side, which we did, and took some photographs. Camp was pitched early at the Falls, and a good fire was cooked with assistance by the patient perseverance of Peter and Gordon. The weather all this day and night was like the classic radio forecast - mainly wet, with scattered fine areas.
Sunday morning at 7.45 AM we set out to find Garrawalt Falls, purposed to camp out the night. After walking W.N.W. for an estimated 4 miles, along a couple of clear, obliging ridges, we crossed a larger swampy creek, and shortly after came across a series of 5 creeks flowing E to S.E. in a thick scrub. This should be Garrawalt Creek we figured, and according to the chart, things tallied pretty well, except maybe that it was bearing a little too far east. But it would probably change to its proper course a little further down. So we followed it for a distance estimated at 3 miles, crossing some tributaries on the southern side.
But the creek had kept its course of ENE, and, however, when we found ourselves at the edge of a large flat in the ground, surrounded by drizzling rain, we concluded it must be Garrawalt Creek Falls. But it seemed a little too easy to be true, judging from what Paul had said about the area.
After boiling the billy and pitching camp, we took a stroll over to the edge of the gorge, only to discover that we were still at the head of Stoney Creek Gorge (Can give no position on the chart, as the detail in this area is vague) about 3pm we all walked about a mile to the N.W. along the cliff edge, and perched on a very narrow spur (again no position can be given) From here a good view of the Wallaman Falls chasm was had. - just a great black hole at the head of the gorge, with swirling masses of white clouds moving from it.
It rained heavily all night. "It was wet, wet, wet, and wet again"- Gwenda.
After a tea of good strong stew and tea, we settled down to a lousy and not real comfortable night. But we had a few laughs.
Grahame hung his glasses at the top of the tent; and this caused constant amusement to the girls; but the "frog from silk" was not nearly calmed down when Beryl asked if anyone minded if she hung her false 'teeth' up there too. The bleary eyes in the morning were the after effects of laughing, sore & weak muscles, and lack of sleep.
Monday morning was just misty, and after cooking a good breakfast Beryl had 5 courses, we set off along the path and walked to the falls. It was an unexpectedly short distance.
After taking some more Photos, and getting yet another stew, we set off in the car at 1.30pm, arriving in Ingham at 6pm. There had been heavy rain here, and the roads were covered with water in many places.
Soronville house site viewed at 8pm and wrote fines for a damp but memorable weekend.
(Note to bushwalkers intending to walk in this area - the 4 mile Ingham military sheet is definitely unreliable, and should not be trusted at all).
Roy Lane





