Select... Josephine Falls The Boulders Gordonvale Crystal Cascades Lake Placid Mossman Gorge Daintree / Cape Trib. Atherton Tablelands It is the freshwater swimming places which are usually the easiest and often the best place to wet your noodle in relaxed and unscheduled fashion. Entry or ferry charges are non-existent and shops usually far away. The rainforest watercourses begin high up in jungle clad mountains where up to nine metres of rain can fall in a year. The mountains themselves are a lot like gigantic sponges and the water flowing in the lower rainforest streams can easily be rain that fell further up the slopes several months ago. A swim in one of these streams isn't like a swim in the ocean. It's a real cleanser. Your hair softens up, your skin says thank you and remember, any time spent contemplating life whilst sitting atop a rivereen boulder is adding to the length of your mortal life. The surrounding rainforests are normally wondrously tranquil and beauteous enough in their own right and to be able to plunge freely into the clear waters flowing through them, especially on a hot summer's day, is a magnificent and magical experience. Starting in the south of North Queensland, the tropical coastal plains start to unfold around the outskirts of Cardwell. From here the highway winds north, mostly through the flatlands, to Cairns. With hidden beaches to the east and jungled mountains to the west, innumerable swimming holes are to be found throughout the plains and foothills on the west side of the road. North of Cairns the mountains tend to hug the coast, but as you travel this way and slowly leave civilisation behind, some of the planet's finest swimming holes begin to appear on both sides of the highway. Up on the Tableland in the west of our region, there are lakes, rivers and waterfalls aplenty, but in winter the chill factor can be a major deterrent. Though only locals will ever know the very best secluded pools and river beaches, we've enough local know-how to introduce you to all the popular spots which are well worth visiting. Those into hi-tech, take an air-bed or inner tube. Josephine Falls These have a wicked, bum-slapping natural waterslide which is more fun than a seven year old's Christmas. A popular picnic and swimming spot, Josephine Falls are about 22 kms north of Innisfail, 60 kms south of Cairns. It's almost a kilometre from the carpark to the falls (about a 10 minute walk) but this is through gorgeous rainforest. The falls are visually quite spectacular, from certain angles exquisitely proportioned and there are a number of big, natural pools which are cool and very refreshing. The smooth rocks connecting the pools can be deceptively slippery and the water flow quite strong after rain. There are camping facilities and a B&B nearby. The falls are at the foot of the Bellenden Ker range which includes Queensland's highest peak, Mt Bartle Frere. The walk to the Bartle Frere summit takes 2 days and is for experienced bushwalkers only. The Boulders For post-puberty rites of passage, the Babinda Boulders is the centre for stupid, dangerous, but fun behaviour. Located 7 kms inland from the little town of Babinda, 50 kms south of Cairns, the Boulders is a great swimming, canoeing and picnic spot. As the name suggests, water runs through many large boulders. A local Aboriginal legend concerning the drowning of some star-crossed lovers and the eternal calling of the lady involved for the return of her lover, has gradually earned some tragic credence as young, single men have frequently, though irregularly, slipped into one lower section of the river and drowned. The water in the enormous swimming hole upstream is crystal clear and delectably invigorating. Often a rope swing rigged up in a tree will be waiting for any gymnastic divers but this has been regularly removed and replaced in the past. There are several walking trails and a suspension bridge takes walkers across the river to an 850m circuit rainforest walk. There are lawns, gardens, picnic facilities and push-button barbeques close to the carpark and a basic camping site is located100m away. The Babinda township, which is a quaint, old-style Queensland sugar town, is also worth a prowl around. Gordonvale Further north, but still south of Cairns, the Ross Locke at the base of the Gillies Hwy, or below the highway bridge at Gordonvale, are common splash grounds. Heading west from here it is a half-hour drive up the twisting, winding Gillies Hwy to Lake Barrine, the first of the Tableland's 'crater lakes'. More about this below. Crystal Cascades A well-kept local secret until not so long ago, this series of swimming holes along a rainforest stream about 20 minutes drive west from the Cairns CBD, is deservedly popular with locals and visitors alike. The carpark has now been enlarged with picnic tables and the like installed nearby. The old walking trail, through the rainforest and along the riverbank, has been sealed and occasionally fenced. As always, the further up the trail you go, the more likely it is you'll find yourself an uninhabited waterhole to bliss out by. Closer to the carpark there is enough space for plenty of families to spread out and kick back for a while. A great spot for kids. Lake Placid At the base of the Barron Gorge, not far west of the Cairns CBD, this calm and picturesque river lake has been a favorite swimming destination for locals for more than a century. This is also a great place for young children who are not yet coordinated enough to try negotiating wet rocks and turbulent waters, as there are flat, grassy banks beside placid water that never gets dramatically deep. The forested mountain backdrop is a scenic masterpiece and there are even shops not far away. There are no crocodiles here, for any concerned movie buffs, but anyone doing the big adventure day and trekking upriver to the base of the Barron Falls is strongly advised not to attempt climbing up the rocks here. Several tragedies have occurred in recent years with young adventurers simply stretching their luck a little too far. Mossman Gorge An hour north of Cairns and only a few minutes drive from Mossman township, is one of the best swimming places anywhere in the world. Expect crisp, clean, green water swirling around warm boulders and lots of curious little jungle perch and plenty of sun and shade. There are big rocks to climb and fall or dive off, currents to play in and peaceful pools to float in. When you're finally waterlogged and in need of adventure, there's lots of jumbled jungle to explore. Carparks, walking trails, picnic areas and toilets have now been installed at the official tourist area, but this fills up more with bus-bound sightseers than holiday-makers wishing to have a swim. There are plenty of places to get wet hereabouts, but locals swim at the Hippy Hole, downstream of most visitors. The Hippy Hole's a little tricky to find and technically it's on the Aboriginal community's turf and is a no go. There's a lot of choice however, when it comes to finding a sandy spot amongst the boulders at Mossman Gorge. Access is easy via short trails through the rainforest off the Gorge access road. Daintree to Cape Tribulation Further north in the Daintree forest (about an hour north from Port Douglas) the rainforest creeks occur every few kilometres. The coastal region is big time croc country, but if the water is clear and/ or chilly they won't be there. Cooper's Creek has several terrific swimming holes and any budding explorers will find a short trek usually ends at an unpopulated piece of paradise where they can shed both their clothes and their inhibitions. At Cape Tribulation, lots of people just jump in at Mason's water hole. The Blue Pools are another choice destination for anyone eager for some sublime saturation. For those willing to push it a bit further from Cape Trib, Imagine Creek seems the favorite up-stream wet spot. Areas around Imagine become exceptionally pretty and many of us have commented on the spot's beauty. The beaches at Cape Tribulation are simply breathtaking and well worth a visit. The Atherton Tableland Up and over the mountains to the west of Cairns, the Tableland is inundated with freshwater swimming places. The crater lakes, Lake Barrine and Lake Eacham, are both peaceful and picturesque and big enough to accommodate more swimmers than ever get to them. Nearby, Millaa Millaa Falls has a good waterhole to chill out in, under the waterfall, but you may find a bus load of tourists there who are not happy about you ruining their photo opportunity. Lake Tinaroo is huge and in several places picnic areas and shops are located beside the water. There can be quite a few fisherpeople and water-skiers up and at it at Tinaroo from dawn to dusk, but there are still enough peaceful areas to kick back and relax for the casual swimmer. The Barron River is one megalong swimming hole and as it gets close to Kuranda, there are many favorite and well patronised places to swim and sunbathe. Ask a friendly local and you'll be pointed in the right direction of the swimming holes that are well-kept secrets. They may not always be free, but the various council pools, big and small resort pools, hotel pools and even backpacker hostel pools can offer a rapid cool down when the heat is on. If you're absolutely certain that the biggest headache you want for the day is losing your earring in the swimming pool without needing to travel anywhere, then your accommodation's pool is just as wet as any of the suggestions above. Happy blisshing out!