Malanda is a small town on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland. The township is located downstream of the Malanda Falls on the North Johnstone River which originates only 7 kilometres upstream at the Bromfield Volcanic Crater. The northern entrance to the town passes the Malanda Falls. In comparison to the gorges of the escarpment the falls were created by the last flow of lava from the Malanda Shield Volcano with a cascade of roughly 4 metres. The town's unofficial swimming pool lies at the bottom of the falls, as there is an established pool located near the primary school. The name 'Malanda', according to some sources, was the local Aboriginal word meaning 'waterfalls'.

Malanda first developed in the 1900s after the discovery of tin and copper at Herberton saw a steady stream of miners and engineers moving over the mountains from the coast. The township thrived through land clearing, the timber industry and the dairy industry. The dairy industry and tourism are the main economic generators today.

The Malanda Hotel has a grand ballroom and staircase and the building is claimed to be the largest wooden hotel in Australia.

Distance to Cairns International Airport 51 miles / 82 kms
GPS Co-ordinates: 17°21'07.8"S 145°35'34.4"E