Tropical North Queensland (Tablelands)
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Queensland National Parks The Tropical North Short walks guide Contents Explore national parks Explore national parks .......................................... 3 Tropical North Queensland (tablelands) .............. 21 Welcome Your ‘must do’ list Choose your walk .................................................. 4 Din Din Barron Falls lookout ........................... 22 ... to the Park Rangers’ top picks for the best short Our Park Rangers have chosen walks suitable for Townsville ............................................................. 6 Djina-Wu track ............................................... 22 walks in north Queensland’s national parks and everyone from the young to the young at heart. World Heritage areas. Alligator Creek lookout ..................................... 7 Davies Creek Falls circuit track ....................... 23 These walks showcase the different habitats Truly experience Queensland’s tropical north as protected by our national parks, giving you the Forts walk ....................................................... 7 Mobo Creek Crater track ................................ 23 you venture among boulders, through woodlands, chance to explore rainforest, bushland, islands, Jacana bird hide track ....................................... 8 Lake Barrine circuit ......................................... 24 across streams and up to lookouts perched high beaches and even wetlands. Shelly Cove trail .............................................. 8 Children’s walk .............................................. 24 above the landscape. Explore long sandy palm- Walks take you to the very best features in our fringed beaches and dip your toes into the waters Witts lookout track ........................................... 9 Tulip oak walk ................................................. 25 national parks. They are a fun way to experience of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. nature and get active with family and friends. Jourama Falls track .......................................... 9 Curtain Fig boardwalk ................................... 25 Come and immerse yourself in the vast Which one will be your favourite? Create your own Banggurru walk .............................................. 10 Crater track ..................................................... 26 history and extraordinary biodiversity of ‘must-do’ list from the walks featured in this guide Jabali walk ..................................................... 10 WWII Heritage track ...................................... 26 Queensland’s national parks. and start exploring. Ranger Evan, Tropical North Queensland (coast) ...................... 11 Photo credits....................................................... 27 Find more walking ideas in Tropical North on behalf of the rangers Wreck Creek walk ............................................ 12 Queensland and Townsville North Queensland Further information ............................................. 28 of the Tropical North regions on our website at qld.gov.au/NationalParks Yalgay Ginja Bulumi walk .............................. 12 Fan Palm walk ................................................. 13 Bicton Hill circuit track .................................. 13 Muggy Muggy Beach track .............................. 14 Butterfly walk ................................................ 14 Tchupala / Wallicher falls ............................... 15 Josephine Falls track ..................................... 15 Wajil Walk (Kearneys Falls) ............................. 16 Goldfield Trail (south end) ............................. 16 Wet Tropics Great Barrier Reef Swamp walk .................................................... 17 World Heritage Area World Heritage Area Red Arrow walk ............................................. 17 Discover the breathtaking beauty and biodiversity The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area Nudey Beach track .......................................... 18 of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. features the world’s largest coral reef, Extending from Townsville to Cooktown, famed for its incredible beauty and outstanding Green Island boardwalk ................................ 18 these ancient rainforests are a living cultural biodiversity. Stretching more than 2,000km Stoney Creek Garndal Garndal track ............... 19 landscape for Rainforest Aboriginal people along Queensland’s coast, the Reef comprises and home to many threatened species. 3,000 individual reefs and islands. Baral Marrjanga track ................................... 19 Jindalba circuit track ....................................... 20 Dubuji boardwalk .......................................... 20 2 3 Choose your walk Getting ready Stay a little longer When walking, it’s best to wear sturdy comfortable If you enjoy walking and want to explore further, Whether you want to delve into ancient rainforests, explore tropical beaches or spot awesome shoes, loose cool clothing (preferably long sleeves stay overnight. You can camp in many of the wildlife, you’ll find information within these pages to help you select walks you’ll really enjoy. and long pants for protection against sunburn, parks mentioned in this guide but you need Choose from a selection of some of the most popular walks in north Queensland. bites and stings), a hat and sunscreen. to book and pay for your camp site first. Book your camp site online at qld.gov.au/Camping Under a brief description of the Park Rangers’ favourite short walks, we’ve provided the Pack your day pack with: or visit queensland.com for other local following information to help you plan your trip: • drinking water and energy-boosting snacks accommodation options. • insect repellent and extra sunscreen • basic first-aid kit (including compression bandages for snake bite) Enjoy your walk! • camera and binoculars Walk distance and time. Track length • rubbish bag is not always the best indicator of the time • mobile phone (although you’ll be out of range the walk might take. Check walking time in many places). before deciding whether a track is suitable. Before you go, find out how to walk with care— how to be cass-o-wary and to avoid other All walks featured here can be walked potentially hazardous wildlife—at qld.com.au/ in less than 3 hours. Suggested walking NationalParks times are for people with average fitness. Allow more time if your group includes young children and elderly people or if Edmund Kennedy, you’re a keen photographer stopping Girramay National Park to capture moments along the way. Tropical North Queensland (tablelands) What’s the track like? All are suitable for anyone with average fitness. Cairns Tropical North Some walks can accommodate strollers Jindalba circuit, Queensland (coast) Cape Tribulation Map legend and wheelchairs. Others are longer, Townsville The areas covered in this guide are shown might be uneven or have some steps. Townsville on this map of Queensland. Where the walk starts. Most walks What else can I do? Information about Maps of these tourism regions are at the start start near a picnic or camping area. visitor facilities near the track, including of each section. Special instructions are provided here. where you can picnic or camp nearby. Walking track maps are provided for every Getting there. Guide to finding your Ranger tips from the local Ranger are Brisbane featured walk. Symbols used on the track way to the park entrance. useful hints to help you enjoy your walk. maps are explained here. Here’s a guide to what to expect: Parks and forests Featured short walk Railway Day-use area Car camping Symbol Suits Track description Restricted Access Area Walking track Buildings Picnic table Lookout Wheelchairs No bushwalking experience required. Flat even surface with no steps or steep Water Sheltered Constructed and strollers sections. Suitable for wheelchair users who have someone to assist them. Boardwalk Information picnic table lookout Waterways Information BBQ—wood Refreshments Families with No bushwalking experience required. The track is a hardened or compacted Waterfall shelter young children surface and may have a gentle hill section or sections and occasional steps. Sealed major road Bridge Parking BBQ—gas Restaurant Suitable for most ages and fitness levels. Some bushwalking experience People with some Sealed minor road Stairs Toilets BBQ—coin operated Telephone recommended. Rough uneven surface, may have many steps and short bushwalking experience steep hill sections. Unsealed road Mountain Showers Camping Heliport 4 5 Alligator Creek lookout Forts walk Bowling Green Bay National Park Magnetic Island National Park The rugged mountains of this park are the southern A ‘must-do’ on Magnetic Island, the popular gateway to north Queensland’s tropical rainforest. Forts walk leads to historic WWII fortifications. At Mount Elliot, stroll to the lookout for pleasant Learn the fascinating history of the fort ruins and views over Alligator Creek. Then backtrack and enjoy bird’s-eye views over the coast and islands. take the steps down to the creek and cool off with As you walk, take the time to look up into the eucalypt Townsville a refreshing swim. For a shorter walk, take the trees, you might just spot a sleeping koala. wheelchair-accessible boardwalk from the day-use From the top of the fortifications, snap a photo with Townsville’s national parks are studded with streams to refresh you, wetlands area to the bank of Alligator Creek. breathtaking 360 degree views as your backdrop. alive with waterbirds and rugged rainforest-clad