The Johnstone River, comprising the North Johnstone River and the South Johnstone River, is a river system located in Far North and North Queensland, Australia. The headwaters of the river system rise in the Atherton Tablelands. The north branch of the river system rises below Merivale, flows over the Malanda Falls and through the town of and then flows generally south by east, around Francis Range and over the Jones Falls, before flowing east, covering a distance of . The south branch of the river system rises below Mount Father Clancy, southwest of Mungalli, and generally flows east over Binda Falls, through the settlement of , before flowing north, covering a distance of . The two rivers reach their confluence to form the Johnstone River east of the town of , and just west of the river mouth. The main river then flows east, north of the Moresby Range National Park, and empties into the Coral Sea. Together, the combined rivers flow over from source to mouth and descend approximately , with a catchment area of . Crocodiles swim & live in all areas in the Johnstone River and swimming is not recommended in any part of the river. Course and features The North and South Johnstone Rivers rise in the tablelands of the north tropical coast and flow through steep narrow gorges to their junction on the coastal plain at Innisfail. The head waters of the catchments are located in high rainfall areas and the rivers are capable of producing severe flooding, especially in the Innisfail area. The North and South Johnstone Rivers have a combined catchment area of about at Innisfail; with the North Johnstone being the larger of the two with a catchment of about . Major tributaries of the river system include the North Beatrice River and the Ithaca River that both flow into the North Johnstone River. This branch is the longest and its catchment is drawn from the Malanda Falls Conservation Park, and the following national parks: Ella Bay, Eubenangee Swamp, Herberton Range, Japoon, Malaan, Palmerston Rocks, Topaz Road, Tully Falls, Tully Gorge and Wooroonooran. Malanda Falls is located in the upper reaches of the North Johnstone River. Downey Creek is the only major tributary on the South Johnstone River. There are no dams or reservoirs in the catchment area. However water is taken from the river for town water supply, dairy farming and