Washing Machine - Millstream River
updated March 2023
Late December 2020
This waterfall in the Ravenshoe area is neither marked nor named as far as I know. A local referred to it as “The Washing Machine” during a conversation and that is what I have called it since. Recently I have also heard this spot referred to as “the Military Hole” which a reference to it’s proximity to one of the old wartime military base camps in the area.
People have died swimming here, one recently in the last few years. I will explain why this spot is so dangerous a bit later.
During the wet, February 2023.
The bush leading into and surrounding the waterfall is highlighted by stunning red gumtrees that once wet go to another level of beauty.
During the wet, February 2023.
I love the patterns in the bark and the contrast between those red trunks and the very green surrounding bush.
During the wet, February 2023.
For the last couple of weekends in late February and early March 2023 I have been visiting here with the intention of focusing my camera on the trees in the area.
Tawny Frogmouth, February 2023.
It is heavily populated by birdlife in the lower bush. Most of these birds are small wrens and the like but keep you eyes up in the trees as well as you might be surprised by what you spot or what has spotted you :)
Just upstream of the falls, December 2020.
Above the falls is quite wide. This photo was taken before the wet season in 2020 which from memory was quite a dry year.
March 2020.
As you explore around the falls you may be joined by one of the local rock wallabies. Very cute animals.
Upstream of the falls early March 2023.
When the water flows heavily through that wider section up stream the force magnifies immensely as it reaches the much narrower section of the falls. Late February 2023 and the water was raging down the river.
Looking downriver to the falls, December 2020.
This photo looking down to the falls from upstream during a drier period highlights how much narrower the falls section becomes.
March 2020.
In March 2020 the water flow was quite heavy also and you can see how much the colour of those rocks varies under different light and viewing angles. On this day they looked like rust on metal.
If the rocks are wet then they certainly look much redder. As I walk this area it makes me wonder if Mother Nature is a brick layer. I have no idea how these rocks were formed but they look like large bricks to me.
Why the Falls are so dangerous
May 2020.
As the water approaches the falls it sweeps from right to left into a much narrower path. Once it reaches the falls it hits a wall on the left and sweeps back left to right.
March 2023.
With the left then right pushing of the waterflow, given the right volume of water, it can create an under water spiral at the base of the falls that can drag a swimmer down.
Looking back upstream to the falls, May 2020.
The view from below the falls back upstream shows the wall that the water flows into. The water flow is constantly changing direction as it makes its way down this section.
After some heavy rain, February 2023.
In February 2023 this was the view back up to the falls. The water level is so much higher and the force of the water immense.
Flooded vegetation, February 2023.
When the water rages after heavy rain it is not my favourite time to take photos. The water floods the vegetation and hides the rocks. The water colour is also pretty ordinary.
Still worth the visit even in the wet. The grass trees that litter the bush and the wildlife will make up for that muddy water, especially the birdlife.
There are some truly stunning birds that live in this area such as from left to right: the Australian King Parrot, Pale Headed Rosella and of course the Rainbow Lorikeet. All three of these bird photos were taken in the Ravenshoe area near these falls.
The Washing Machine is a great place to visit…not so great for a swim IMO.