A bunch of mates and myself were keen to abseil down the face of Jourama Falls. I knew someone has previously done it because there were anchors already at the top of the falls.

It's quite a beautiful place at the top falls with views overlooking the the coastline and ocean to horizon. The easiest way to get to the upper falls is to hike from Jourama Falls National Park's lookout up.

Alternatively, you can arrange a shuttle or have a friend drop you at Hidden Valley and walk down the Jacobsen's Track to the top of the blackhole swimming pool but have to arrange access with the private land owner and you'll have a short walk through dense rainforest to get into the creek. There are two rappels down into the blackhole.

The other alternative is to hike from Paluma Dam down into Waterview Creek. This is a longer hike, but you are rewarded with an amazing view once you emerge from the rainforest onto of Jourama Falls.

All the falls just above the main one have already been bolted. The lower falls have not been bolted but you can rock scramble around them easily.

Interactive Map

Here's a map of the route you can take to get there:

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

• Experience in abseiling (the main falls is a little more technical)
• Gear
  • 150m rope for the large falls (if halving the rope)
  • Belay or Rappel Devices
  • Shoes
  • Helmet (optional)
  • Backpack
• Food & snacks for the day
• About 2L of water to hike to the top

Pitch 1

Two bolts adjacent top of first major waterfall.
Single 40m Rope
Long swim out to next waterfall

Pitch 2

Sloping pitch with overhang (watch your head) and pinning risk under waterfall at bottom in full flow. There are foot positions of the left-hand side of the waterfall as you are rappelling down.
Two bolts between split pool overflow
Single 40m Rope

Pitch 3

Dry abseil to ledge, rockslide into pool
Sling off fig tree behind major rock formation on River Right
Single 40m rope
Long swim, safe to slide down pool exit shute at low water levels, otherwise difficult to access next pitch without getting swept over 60m waterfall. Possible to belay down exit shute although not needed in mid to low flow.

Pitch 4

Long slab, heavy water, very slick.
Two Bolts River Right of exit shute.
Double 60m ropes minimum.
Could not find any anchors to get down next 25m waterfall. Exit pool River Right, careful slabbing traverse to major gully behind monolith down to long pool. Exit long pool at outlet (River Left), rockhop to above short falls.
Option 1: Jump into pool. Next anchors River Left on small ledge above stepped falls.
Option 2: Climb around River Left arete of monolith to large tree for semi-dry abseil.

Pitch 5

Using Option 1 from bolts:
Rough abseil down blocky, broken waterfall, heavy water.
Anchors bind ropes so need to be extended with a sling and mallions to a single point.
Double 50m ropes minimum
Option 2 from tree behind monolith (up higher):
This route not attempted, but may be a cleaner route with less risk of ropes not pulling. Sacrifical sling required.
It is also possible to descend the far River Right shute of the waterfall with caution using the aged bottlebrush as an anchor to decend 10m abseil, then slabby exit down to pool behind monolith.

Pitch 6

Unattempted - Can rock scramble around???