Malanda Falls - QLD

The Malanda Falls known for many years as the Johnston Falls was first surveyed in 1906 as tracks were blazed through the rainforest to open up the region for settlement timber and agriculture. The late name Malanda is the local aboriginal word meaning upper Johnston running rivers the township of Malanda was established with the arrival of the railway in 1910 and railway bridge was built below the falls hydraulic ram was installed at the falls to supply water for the steam trains. A road crossing was made in the rocks above the falls in 1911 and the first bridge was built in 1920 a few metres above today’s bridge. The falls and cells remained disturbed until 1918 when the local community cleared the underwater logs from the pool and they became a popular venue for picnics and New Year’s Day celebrations by 1920 the Eacham Shire council had erected a substantial wooden diving platform and signs warning against nude bathing. Malanda’s first swimming club was formed in 1925 and swimming carnivals were held between Malanda, Atherton, Mareeba and Cairns clubs in the pool. Local celebrity Tom Beck went on to become a Qld champion.There are toilets, grassy picnic areas and carparking. A great family place to spend a hot day.