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Atherton Tablelands Walking Trails – North
Atherton Tablelands Walking Trails – South
Suggested Trails
Barron Gorge National Park – Kuranda
Barron Gorge National Park extends from the coastal lowlands to the elevated regions of the Atherton Tableland and features rugged mountain scenery, tropical rainforests, diverse wildlife and a fascinating history. The park lies within the Wet Tropical World Heritage Area. The Barron River dominates the park.
Distance:
Din Din Barron Falls Lookout – 1.2 klms return
Wrights Creek Lookout – 3 klms return
Surprise Creek Walk – 2.8 klms return (from Wrights Creek lookout)
Fitness Level:
Din Din Barron Falls Lookout – Easy, beginner
Wrights Creek Lookout – Easy, beginner
Surprise Creek Walk – Moderately fit
Start: From Kuranda, drive 3.5km along Barron Falls Road, following the signposts to the Barron Falls car park. [-16.836618, 145.642324]
More information: Barron Gorge National Park
Davies Creek Falls – Mareeba
Davies Creek Falls are the focal point of Davies Creek National Park. The falls are 2km beyond the camping area at Davies Creek, on Davies Creek Road. A circuit path accesses two lookouts next to the falls, and then winds along the creekbank to a picnic area further upstream, before returning to the carpark. The lookouts offer a panorama of the northern Atherton Tablelands, views of the gorge and the 75 metre waterfall.
Distance: 1.1 klms return
Facilities: Toilets, car parking, picnic tables, scenic lookout
Fitness Level: Easy, beginner
Start: From Cairns, travel towards Kuranda via the Kennedy Highway. After passing the Kuranda turn-off, travel a further 21km before turning left on to Davies Creek Road. This gravel road is corrugated and unsuitable for caravans. This circuit track begins in the car park, 2km past Lower Davies Creek camping area along Davies Creek Road. [-17.022457, 145.587264]
More information: Davies Creek Falls Circuit Track
Kahlpahlim Rock Hike, Davies Creek National Park – Mareeba
At around 1300m above sea level, Kahlpahlim Rock is the highest point on the Lamb Range. The sheer size of the rock and the views over the Davies Creek catchment are impressive. Two steep but beautiful trails (Kahlpahlim Rock and Ridge trails) lead to the granite boulders of Kahlpahlim Rock. They converge near the top allowing hikers to walk the track as a circuit. See the table below for details,
These trails are well marked with orange trail markers but are difficult and should only be undertaken by fit and experienced walkers. Start the walk early, to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and allow time to return. It is not advisable to start the walk when the top of the mountain is covered in cloud or after wet weather. The best time to visit is in the drier months between September and November.
Access to the trail heads is seasonal and four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended. Carry at least 2–3L of drinking water per person—water is not available along the trails. Inform a reliable person of your plans
Distance: Varies, refer to more information
Fitness Level: Difficult, experienced walkers only
More information: Davies Creek National Park
Emerald Creek Falls – Mareeba
A pleasant walk through eucalyptus woodland to beautiful waterfalls tumbling over granite boulders into placid pools. Good wildlife viewing and bird watching opportunities.
Distance: 2 klms
Facilities: Toilets, car parking, picnic tables, scenic lookout
Fitness Level: Moderately fit
Start: At Emerald Creek Falls day-use area in Dinden West Forest Reserve, 15km south east of Mareeba. Six kilometres of this road is unsealed and unsuitable for caravans and trailers. [-17.052500, 145.540833]
More information: Emerald Creek
Turtle Rock Circuit Trail Hike, Davies Creek National Park – Mareeba
This is a difficult trail that should only be undertaken by fit and experienced walkers. It is best to start the walk early in the cool of the day. Never walk alone. Carry plenty of water and inform a reliable person of your plans.
Distance: 8 klms return
Fitness Level: Difficult, experienced walkers only
More information: Davies Creek National Park
Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park, Chillagoe
Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park offers walking opportunities ranging from 440m to 9km. The times are calculated for people of average fitness who are wearing the correct footwear. If you are walking with young children or have below average fitness, allow more time. Carry a water container, especially in the summer time.
Distance:
Balancing Rock track – 440 m return
Donna Caves car park to Balancing Rock car park – 2 klms
Royal Arch Track – 9 klms return
Fitness Level: Varies
More information: Chillagoe-Mungana Caves map
Kauri Creek – Lake Tinaroo
Rainforest-shaded circuit walk that follows and crosses the beautiful Kauri Creek
Distance: 5 klms circuit
Facilities: Toilets, picnic shelters, BBQ, tables, interpretive signage, car parking at trailhead.
Fitness Level: Moderately fit.
Start: Kauri Creek day-use area, on Danbulla Forest Drive, 12 km east from Tinaroo Falls Village.. [-17.133889, 145.598611]
More information: Danbulla National Park map
Jungaljungal Walk – Lake Tinaroo
Explore World Heritage-listed rainforests along old forestry roads on this sometimes steep walk. Look for colourful but wellcamouflaged Boyd’s forest dragons.
Distance: 8.2 klms circuit (the same start and finish point, but the traveller doesn’t return along the same path)
Fitness Level: Moderately fit.
More information: Jungaljungal Walk
Hallorans Hill – Atherton
Shaded walk through Hallorans Hill Conservation Park to the summit of Hallorans Hill. Explore the mixed eucalyptus and Mabi forest as the trail climbs, descends and climbs again through a dormant volcanic cone. Enjoy excellent bird watching opportunities and spectacular panoramic views from the top of the hill.
Distance: 3 klms return
Facilities: Toilets, car parking, playground, picnic tables, BBQ, interpretive signage
Fitness Level: Moderately fit
Start: Hallorans Hill Conservation Park, Louise Street, Atherton, opposite the intersection with Cook Street, and downhill and to the north of the Atherton Hospital. [-17.265000, 145.484167]
More information: Hallorans Hill Conservation Park
Yabi Mountain and Mt Baldy – Atherton
Three woodland walks guaranteed to get your heart pumping, located within 2km of Atherton town centre, offering good views and birdwatching opportunities. The walks may be undertaken in sections or as a full circuit.
Distance:
Yabi Mountain – 4.5 klms return
Mt Baldy – 4.5 klms return
Full Circuit Walk (Yabi Mountain and Mt Baldy) – 8.5 klms return
Facilities: Car parking, interpretive signage
Fitness Level: Moderately fit to difficult
Start: Both trailheads are accessed from Rifle Range Road. To get there, travel south from the Atherton Post Office along the Atherton-Herberton Road for about 1km. Just opposite the Chinatown Museum and Old Post Office Gallery, turn right in to Rifle Range Road. The trailhead for Yabi Mtn. is on the left, 200m from the turnoff. The trailhead for Mt Baldy is 350m further along on the left-hand side, just where the road turns to the left and becomes a gravel road. Yabi Mtn. [-17.273333, 145.468056]
More information: Baldy Yabi Circuit Map
Lake Eacham – Yungaburra
Rainforest–shaded circuit walk around a beautiful 50 ha volcanic crater lake. Good wildlife viewing and birdwatching opportunities
Distance: 3 klms return
Facilities: Toilets, picnic shelters/BBQs/tables, interpretive signage, car parking, partly wheelchair accessible
Fitness Level: Moderately fit.
Start: Lake Eacham day-use area just off the Gillies Highway, 4km east of Yungaburra. [-17.285000, 145.629167]
More information: Lake Eacham Craters National Park
Lake Barrine Circuit Track – Yungaburra
Rainforest-shaded circuit walk around a beautiful 90 ha volcanic crater lake, giant Kauri Pine trees, tea house, wildlife viewing and good birding opportunities.
Distance: 5 klms return
Facilities: Toilets, picnic shelter, interpretive signage, car parking, Commercial Tea House with wheelchair access and frequent boat cruise.
Fitness Level: Moderately fit.
Start: Just off the Gillies Highway, 9km east of Yungaburra. [-17.245556, 145.639167]
More information: Lake Barrine, Craters National Park
Misty Mountains Wilderness Tracks
The Misty Mountains wilderness tracks are located in an area bounded by Tully, Innisfail, Mena Creek, Millaa Millaa and Ravenshoe traversing Tully Falls, Tully Gorge and Wooroonooran national parks.
A 130 km network of short and long wilderness tracks takes visitors through pristine, high-altitude rainforest with crystal clear creeks, waterfalls and panoramic views. Some tracks are suitable only for bushwalkers, while others are shared tracks with mountain biking permitted.
Distance: 130 klms of short and long wilderness tracks
Facilities: Scenic drive, lookout, camping, picnic areas, hiking trails, easy and short walks, mountain biking permitted.
Fitness Level: Varies – easy to experienced walkers.
More information: Misty Mountains
Bartle Frere Trail
The Bartle Frere trail provides opportunities for fit, experienced and well-prepared bushwalkers to access the rugged wilderness of the Bellenden Ker Range, part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
More information: Bartle Frere