Tully Falls

Tully Falls National Park protects the spectacular Tully Falls waterfall in the Wet Tropics of far north Queensland, where Tully River tributaries plunge dramatically over the escarpment of the Cardwell Range near Ravenshoe. The park preserves wet tropical rainforest and the dramatic gorge landscape of one of north Queensland's most accessible yet spectacular waterfalls. The falls area is a popular destination for visitors to the Atherton Tablelands seeking dramatic natural scenery.

The wet tropical rainforest surrounding the falls supports diverse Wet Tropics fauna. Cassowaries may pass through the park's rainforest. The streams above and below the falls support platypus and freshwater turtles. Birds including the Wet Tropics endemic species are diverse throughout the rainforest. Victoria's riflebirds and other birds of paradise inhabit the dense vegetation. The spray zone of the falls creates a permanently moist environment supporting abundant mosses and ferns.

The park protects complex mesophyll vine forest and other Wet Tropics rainforest communities. Tree ferns, fan palms, and diverse tropical tree species create the multi-layered forest structure. The high rainfall around the falls — this is one of the wettest areas of Queensland — supports exceptionally lush vegetation. Epiphytic orchids, ferns, and mosses are abundant on the tree trunks and rocks near the falls.

Tully Falls is formed where the Tully River's upper tributaries cascade off the Cardwell Range escarpment, a basalt-capped range formed by the same volcanic activity that created the Atherton Tablelands. The falls plunge over exposed basalt, with the water cutting through the volcanic rock over thousands of years. The Cardwell Range is part of the watershed between rivers draining to the Coral Sea and those flowing onto the Tablelands.

The Tully Falls area has one of the highest rainfalls in Australia, typically recording 3,500–4,500 millimetres annually. The escarpment position intercepts the moisture-laden onshore winds from the Coral Sea. The wet season from November to April brings the most dramatic falls flows. Even in the dry season, the falls maintain impressive flows due to the high annual rainfall. Temperatures are warm year-round.

The Tully River valley and its upper catchment are the country of the Jirrbal people, who have maintained relationships with this extremely wet and productive landscape for tens of thousands of years. European settlement established the sugar industry in the Tully valley in the early 20th century, with the upper catchment retained as water supply and, eventually, national park.

Tully Falls National Park was established to protect the falls and the surrounding Wet Tropics rainforest. The park is part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area proclaimed in 1988. The falls are one of north Queensland's most visited natural attractions, and the park provides access and interpretation for the falls experience.

The falls lookout walk leads from the car park to the viewing platform above Tully Falls, with the dramatic view of the falls plunging into the gorge below. The falls are most spectacular in the wet season when flow is at maximum. Swimming in the gorge below the falls may be possible when conditions allow. The drive from Ravenshoe to the falls passes through the Tablelands countryside and into the wetter escarpment zone.

The park has a car park and walking track to the falls lookout. Day use only with basic facilities. Access from Ravenshoe, approximately 25 kilometres, via sealed and unsealed roads. Ravenshoe is 90 minutes from Cairns. A 2WD vehicle is generally suitable.

Protecting the Wet Tropics World Heritage values of the park, including the diverse rainforest communities, is the primary management objective. Managing visitor numbers at the falls lookout while protecting the vegetation around the viewing platform is ongoing. Invasive weed management in the rainforest margins, particularly for pond apple and other water-dispersed invasives, is important.