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Home , Blencoe Falls, Daintree National Park, Davies Creek Falls, Dinner Falls, Girringun National Park, Josephine Falls

YOUR FAMILY’S GUIDE TO EXPLORING OUR NATIONAL PARKS

TROPICAL NORTH

Featuring 79 walks ideal for children Contents A BUSH ADVENTURE A bush adventure with children ...... 1 Planning tips 2 WITH CHILDREN As you walk ...... 4 Sometimes wonderful … As you stop and play ...... 6 look what can we As you rest, eat and contemplate ...... 8 This is I found! come again? Great walks for family outings in Tropical 10 awesome!

Sometimes more of a challenge …

I'm tired/ i need are we hungry/bored the toilet nearly there?

Whether the idea of taking your children out into nature fills you with a sense of excited anticipation or nervous dread, one thing is certain – today, more than ever, we are well aware of the benefits of childhood contact with nature: 1. Positive mental health outcomes; 2. Physical health benefits; 3. Enhanced intellectual development; and 4. A stronger sense of concern and care for the environment in later life. Planet Ark – Planting Trees: Just What the Doctor Ordered Above all, it can be fun! But let’s remember … Please don’t let your expectations of what should “If getting our kids out happen as you embark on a bush adventure into nature is a search for prevent you from truly experiencing and perfection, or is one more enjoying what does happen. Simply setting chore, then the belief in the intention to connect your children to a Produced & published by the National Parks Association of Queensland Inc. perfection and the chore natural place and discover it alongside Original content developed by the Pullenvale Environment Education Centre defeats the joy.” them is enough. We invite you to enjoy Copyright © 2017 National Parks Association of Queensland Inc, Education Queensland & respective photographers Richard Louv – Last Child in the each moment of your experience however it Woods: Saving our Children from unfolds, and hope the following tips, ideas and Nature-Deficit Disorder Proudly supported by the Clem Jones Foundation activities help you along the way. 1 PLANNING TIPS

1. Be prepared! 2. Lead by example! 3. Get smart with your Involve your children in planning – Be genuinely engaged and enthusiastic, smart phone! this is a shared adventure. it’s contagious! On your walk try to: Be clear with your ‘Bush Explorers’ We recommend that you… • Discover with fresh eyes; that on this adventure your phone Choose your walk wisely may be used as an Explorer’s tool • Invite curiosity through your words to: Check the last pages of this booklet and actions; for locations, lengths and highlights Navigate – you could use your GPS • Share your knowledge if it’s or download a compass app; of walks suitable for children. Match requested; and descriptions and distances with your Capture memories – through children’s needs and interests. It’s • Remember, on this adventure you are photographs, video or audio important they have a clear idea of not a tour guide or a teacher, but a recordings. Be prepared to allow where and why you are going and how fellow explorer! your ‘Bush Explorers’ to use your long your walk might take. Also visit phone (or camera) responsibly if www.npsr.qld.gov.au/parks for up-to- they wish. date park alerts and more information Phones and cameras help us to take on the various tracks. Remember to stay only memories from our beautiful on marked tracks. natural environments. Leave our Pack a backpack national parks just as you found Children are born passionately them so that others can best enjoy Include water bottles, sunscreen, insect eager to make as much sense them after you. We recommend you use the repellent, a basic first aid kit, snacks as they can of things around ideas and activities on the and any materials essential for genuine You can also make the choice to them. If we attempt to control, following pages as needed. ‘Bush Explorers’ e.g. a map, magnifying pack the phone away and enjoy a manipulate, or divert this glass, compass, pen and paper or other nature day without technology! Some days you may need many process... the independent of them, other days you may art materials. scientist in the child disappears. Of course, your phone is also an need none. Dress appropriately John Holt, author important safety device. In an emergency situation, dial 000. Choose protective clothing that can get dirty including long pants, closed-in walking shoes and hats.

2 3 AS YOU WALK

1. Vary your pace is to take imaginary photos. Use your even be able to photograph through ‘Faraway Tree’ or spot a home for hands to frame the perfect shot of your magnifying glass. Be prepared to a Hobbit! There will be times when you all want each beautiful or interesting discovery. crouch, bend, lie down and peer into. to walk quickly, particularly when you Use your fingers, or a notepad, to It’s all part of seeing the bush with 8. Be a genuine begin your bush adventure. However, count and then recall each of your new eyes. ‘Bush Explorer’ help your Bush Explorers slow down finds. Have fun creatively naming You can provide an example to sometimes, engage all their senses your snapshots (e.g. Grandpa Ironbark, 5. Move silently your children of exploring using and really pay attention to what is Slippery Slope, Termite Town). At the Bush exploring can be very noisy, but your senses, your mind and your happening around them. end of your walk or back at home switch off your voices and you will imagination: 2. Select a walking stick create an original map of your journey find your senses become ‘hyper-alert’ to include these landmarks. You might like those of a bush creature. Agree on I wonder We have noticed children love carrying even add real photos! a length of time or set distance and why... sticks in the bush, so let’s go with it… then try a ‘silent walk’ during which carefully! Sticks can be wonderful you may only communicate without what if... walking aids for tired legs. Assist your did you using words. Imagine the new things child to carefully choose the stick that is hear... you might discover! right for them and listen as they explain what do you their choice. It is important that even 6. Find a bush seat think about... sticks with super powers are used wisely I love the – ensure your Bush Explorer knows their It’s fun to find good sitting spots as way... you walk and it can provide a much I feel... stick cannot be used for whacking the look at bush or harming anyone. needed moment of rest. Stop to try out each bush seat and don’t forget to that... 3. Gather ‘handy’ imaginary take a photograph! this snapshots looks like... this reminds 7. Find your favourite me of... One way of tuning in to the bush and 4. Take extraordinary stories encouraging children to keep walking i like it real photographs Engage the imaginations of your Bush when... Ban boring photographs and get Explorers and spur them on by linking creative with composition! Try their experiences to their favourite photographing up the trunk of a stories or movies. Find a leaf that And if you just can’t resist sharing tree or through a hole in a leaf, and reminds you of Nemo and swim him your knowledge, stop to ask first ‘Do experiment with close-ups. You may through the forest, locate the perfect you want to know about this?’

4 5 AS YOU STOP AND PLAY

1. Take a moment 6. Listen with your fingers Remember, this is about the journey Encourage your Bush Explorers to really and not the destination. Follow your tune their ears into the sounds of the child’s lead and take the time to stop forest by holding a listening challenge. and explore each new spot as your Stand together and count on your walk unfolds. fingers how many sounds, both near and far away, you hear in one minute. 2. See yourself in a tree 7. Discover natural treasures Just like people, each tree is unique. Can you find a tree that reminds you of Begin by deciding what qualifies as yourself? Play ‘See that tree? It’s a bit a treasure and agreeing to leave all like me!’ with your Bush Explorers and treasures where they are found, then… ask them to explain their choices. find natural objects to match each colour of the rainbow or each letter of That tree looks like it’s reaching up to its the alphabet, spot a brightly coloured parents for a hug. web after that branch fell down and 5. Scrunch and sniff object such as a leaf and search for That tree is old and wrinkly, but it’s still crashed through it.” What might these other natural objects of a similar standing strong and wears a smile. Can you find the one smell that would colour, play ‘I Spy’ with colours, shapes insects say about the humans exploring immediately bring this bush track to their forest? or textures, or challenge your Bush 3. Switch on your mind? Experiment with crushing and Explorers to find five new discoveries in ‘Super Eyes’ 4. Splash, sink, soak rolling fallen leaves in your hands, and five minutes. then smelling your ‘forest perfume’. See the bush through the eyes of If your adventure leads you to water, Decide which perfume you each 8. Leave your treasures its smallest inhabitants. Challenge stop to throw a small object in, listen like best. As your Bush Explorers play they will everyone to find a safe insect they can to it ‘plop’ and watch the circular find natural treasures they can’t bear zoom in on and watch quietly for a ripples. You can experiment to see to part with. Photograph the treasures whole minute (this could mean getting who can make the smallest splash or if I go to nature to be soothed and so they can be remembered, but return down on hands and knees). After a the water is flowing, hold a ‘leaf boat’ healed, and to have my senses them to the bush. Find a special place minute, share your ‘insect adventures’ race. If it’s safe to do so, try taking put in order. to display each treasure, so others e.g. “I think this ant is searching for your shoes and socks off and exploring John Burroughs, nature essayist can discover them, or leave them in a food and showing his mates where to slowly with bare feet. It’s cooling, secret, hidden spot for your next visit. go” or “this spider is repairing its broken relaxing and fun!

6 7 AS YOU REST, EAT AND CONTEMPLATE

1. Eat mindfully 3. Share stories 5. Sit silent and still Once you’ve found a This is a perfect Many ancient cultures, including place to stop and snack, opportunity to share Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander take a moment to slow stories and memories. If Peoples, practise a type of sitting that 7. Create land art down and savour the and when the moment requires complete silence and the texture and flavor of arises, tell your children engagement of all the senses. Agree on Celebrate your bush adventure by your food. Just as you about other bush a length of time for which everyone using only natural materials to build have been engaging all adventures you have will sit silent and still. Ask your children: a sculpture or make a ‘picture’. Your of your senses as you explore the bush, had, what you know about the history “I wonder what we’ll see and hear? I artwork might be realistic e.g. a forest engage them now as you sit and eat. of the place you have been exploring, wonder how we’ll feel?” Once your face or bush landscape, or abstract e.g. factual information about the flora time is up, encourage your children to a rock tower or arrangement of leaves 2. Construct ‘fruity’ bush and fauna, or fictional tales set in your share their experiences. Remember the or rocks selected and placed according creatures bush location. bush can have a very real effect on our to colour. Photograph the finished result and then leave your ephemeral If your snack includes apples, you have emotions. 4. Watch the birds art to be reclaimed by nature. the beginnings of fun bush creatures. 6. Let your hands explore Use the apple cores as the bodies and If you sit quietly, you will notice that 8. Make music find natural objects on the forest floor birds begin to fly and perch closer Given time, your Bush Explorer’s hands to build arms, legs, wings or any other and closer to your group. Watch as will naturally begin to explore the area Music, in the form of rhythms or songs, body parts the imagination desires. they hunt for food, feed their babies, around them. They might crush or grind can tell the story of your day and/ Photograph your creatures in their best bathe and sing. Observe differences leaves, sift through and sprinkle dirt, or keep everyone going as you reach camouflaged ‘habitat’ before returning in size, shape, colour and behaviour. sort the objects they find, thread leaves the end of your walk. Keep the beat the found materials to the forest. Don’t Identify birds if you are able or enlist onto a stick, or run their hands over with bush instruments, sing a song forget to take your apple cores home the children to help remember the the bark of a tree. Engaging the sense you all know and change the words to compost! significant features of each bird so of touch in this way can be peaceful to be about your bush adventure, or you can identify them once you have and calming, and is an essential part of compose a brand new song together, returned home. exploring and connecting to the bush. incorporating all your experiences.

8 9 Children’s walk (400m) – a short children’s GREAT WALKS FOR discovery walk. CLUMP MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK Bicton Hill circuit track (3.9km) – climb FAMILY OUTINGS through lowland rainforest to a lookout with gorgeous views. Here are 79 amazing short walks in Tropical North Queensland EUBENANGEE SWAMP NATIONAL PARK national parks that are perfect for kids ... so get out there! Swamp walk (1.5km) – walk through rainforest, then up a grassy hill for views of the swamp All distances are return. For directions to these parks, visit: www.npsr.qld.gov.au/parks featuring multiple bird species. WOOROONOORAN NATIONAL PARK WARNING! and marine stingers may be present in or near the waters of some of these parks. Please obey walking track (1.2km) – walk all signs and supervise your children. through thick rainforest to lookouts over Josephine creek and falls. Look up to see Bartle the beautiful rockslides which are a series of Frere, Queensland’s highest peak. (Josephine towards GIRRAMAY NATIONAL PARK Falls section). waterholes and cascades. ( SECTION) PORCUPINE GORGE NATIONAL PARK Wajil walk (1.7km) – a walk through lowland Birthday Creek Falls walk (1km) – walk to River boardwalk (300m) – a short walk with Pyramid lookout (400m) – an easy, short walk to rainforest to the base of Kearneys Falls. Signage the base of the prettily cascading Birthday several vantage points of Murray Falls, where a pleasant lookout. Creek Falls. provides insight to the culture and stories of clear water flows over boulders into rock pools. the area’s Traditional Owners. (Goldsborough Pyramid track (2.4km) – walk down to explore McClellands lookout (300m) – beautiful views of Yalgay Ginja Bulumi walk (1.8km) – a pleasant Valley section). the gorge floor, but save your energy for the walk the bay. walk through open forest and rainforest to a back up. track (1.2km) – a walk to Witts lookout track (3km) – wander through view over Murray Falls. Signage provides insight the pretty falls though an area supporting BOWLING GREEN BAY NATIONAL PARK the rainforest then up to the lookout for to the culture of the area’s Traditional Owners. ferns, mosses and other water-loving plants. outstanding views. Alligator Creek boardwalk (200m) – a boardwalk GIRRAMAY NATIONAL PARK (Palmerston section). with interpretive signage to the banks of ( SECTION) FRANKLAND GROUP NATIONAL PARK Alligator Creek. ( SECTION) Wreck Creek walk (5km) – this walk through the Normanby Island circuit track (1km) – pass Alligator Creek lookout (1km) – walk to a lookout Blencoe Falls lookout (400m) – walk through wetlands features sections of boardwalk; be sure through rainforest, mangroves and rocky of the lower sections of Alligator Creek. hoop pines to view the spectacular falls. to look out for the colourful mangrove crabs. At outcrops on this diverse walk. Cockatoo Creek track (3km) – a walk through Jabali walk (5km) – a walk through open eucalypt low tide only it is possible to return along the FITZROY ISLAND NATIONAL PARK open woodlands to the pretty Cockatoo Creek. forest to experience rugged bush. beach. Secret Garden track (1km) – a short walk NATIONAL PARK GIRRINGUN NATIONAL PARK KIRRAMA NATIONAL PARK through rainforest around huge granite boulders. Hawkings Point track (1.2km) – the track leads to ( SECTION) Society Flat rainforest walk (720m) – a Nudey Beach track (1.2km) – walk through excellent views from the top of a large boulder. Banggurru walk (800m) – a fabulous walk along gorgeous walk through giant kauri pines and rose gum trees. rainforest and woodlands to a beautiful beach. Forts walk (4km) – steep in a few places, this the banks of Stony Creek with signage to help Lighthouse Road (3.6km) – a challenging walk track leads to historic WWII fortifications. you learn about the rainforest. FAMILY ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK with steep sections suitable for older children, Djyinda walk (3.2km) – steep in some sections, PALUMA RANGE NATIONAL PARK Muggy Muggy Beach (3km) – featuring this walk winds towards the lighthouse where this walk through the rainforest takes you to the (JOURAMA FALLS SECTION) rainforest, woodland, mangroves and beach this spectacular views await. base of the mighty Wallaman Falls. is a coastal walk that has it all. Jourama Falls track (3km) – a great track, more suitable for older kids as a 600m section to the NATIONAL PARK DJIRU NATIONAL PARK Cairns to Cape Tribulation lookout is uphill, but worth it for the views of the The Haven track (1km) – a short, pleasant track Lacey Creek walk (1.5km) – with interpretive BARRON GORGE NATIONAL PARK falls and forest. through forest beside a creek. signage, this walk leads to a viewing platform Din Din lookout (1.2km) – an PALUMA RANGE NATIONAL PARK GOOLD ISLAND NATIONAL PARK over Lacey Creek. elevated boardwalk high above the forest floor (MOUNT SPEC SECTION) Western Beach walk (4km) – a good walk Fan Palm walk (1.3km) – a loop track through leads to views of the gorge and the beautiful Rockslides walking track (800m) – viewing of through open woodland to the beach. native fan palm forest. Barron Falls. 10 11 Wrights lookout (3km) – walk to Wrights Supervise children to ensure they stay behind UNDARA VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK Pandanus track (1.4km) – this walk includes a lookout for views over Barron Gorge, Cairns and barriers at the lookouts. Kalkani Crater rim walk (2.5km) – walk around boardwalk through the mangroves with signage the coast. CRATER LAKES NATIONAL PARK the rim of this ancient crater. about Aboriginal uses of plants and animals in the area. Stoney Creek Garndal Garndal track (2km) – a ( SECTION) Atkinsons lookout trail (3.8km) – granite ridges walk through rainforest past clear pools and Lake circuit track (5km) – a lovely walk around afford great views over the park. Blue Lagoon (455m) – a secluded mangrove small waterfalls. a lake within a volcanic crater, surrounded beach leads to lovely views over Blue Lagoon. Note: Access to the lava tubes in this park is by by rainforest. Research Road (4.4km) – a sandy road through GREEN ISLAND NATIONAL PARK guided tour only. CRATER LAKES NATIONAL PARK woodland to the Research Station. Boardwalk (1.3km) – from the jetty, this pleasant CHILLAGOE-MUNGANA CAVES ( SECTION) CAPE MELVILLE NATIONAL PARK (CYPAL) boardwalk winds through the forest to the NATIONAL PARK beach, with interpretive signage along the way. Lake Eacham Children’s walk (1.4km) – a fun Mahina monument track (300m) – a short walk walk with signage and activities for kids along Balancing Rock track (440m) – a short walk to to a monument of the lives lost during Cyclone see this spectacular limestone formation. (MOSSMAN GORGE SECTION) the way. Mahina in 1899. Lake circuit track (3km) - a walk around the lake Donna Cave to Balancing Rock (2km) – wander RINYIRRU (LAKEFIELD) NATIONAL PARK Baral Marrjanga (540m) – an elevated boardwalk through eucalypts and ironwood trees as you through the lower rainforest canopy. offering beautiful views and signage about the (CYPAL) Traditional Owners. listen to the kookaburras. Lower river track (600m) – winds along the Kalpowar discovery walk (4km) – follow the CURTAIN FIG NATIONAL PARK The Archways (220m) – a short self-guided tour banks of the lovely through and then joins the Baral through a semi-open cave. Torches required. Marrjanga track. Curtain Fig boardwalk (180m) – this boardwalk vine forest and then open woodland. encircles a 500-year-old uniquely formed Note: Ranger-guided tours of other family- FLINDERS GROUP NATIONAL PARK (CYPAL) Rex Creek bridge (920m) – continuing on friendly caves are available. from the Baral Marrjanga, this track includes a strangler fig. The ‘Dart’ (300m) – this short track leads to suspension bridge over the Mossman River. MOUNT HYPIPAMEE NATIONAL PARK a rock inscribed during an 1899 naval survey ship visit. Rainforest circuit track (2.4km) – starting from circuit (1.2km) – see the end of Rex Creek bridge, this is a gorgeous a crater formed by an ancient Yindayin rock shelters (2.8km) – viewing of rock circuit track that winds through the spectacular natural gas explosion and visit a art images is the highlight of this cultural walk. . charming waterfall. KUTINI-PAYAMU (IRON RANGE) NATIONAL DAINTREE NATIONAL PARK PARK (CYPAL) (CAPE TRIBULATION SECTION) NATIONAL PARK Mount Tozer viewing platform (140m) – a short Jindalba boardwalk (650m) – a boardwalk Big Millstream Falls lookout stroll to enjoy the views of Mount Tozer. through the tropical lowland rainforest. (680m) – ideal for viewing of the Chilli Beach forest walk (720m) – another spectacular waterfall. Jindalba circuit track (3km) – traverse rainforest short walk, this one through coastal dune and creeks on this more challenging walk. World War II Heritage track (1km) – swamp vegetation. visit an area used by the Australian JARDINE RIVER NATIONAL PARK Marrja boardwalk (1.2km) – a boardwalk through Army during WWII. Signs describe the rainforest and mangroves. the lives of the soldiers. Twin Falls (Yaranjangu) (480m) – a walkway through acacia woodland to Twin Falls. Dubuji boardwalk (1.2km) – another excellent TULLY GORGE NATIONAL PARK boardwalk, this one winds through rainforest, Eliot Falls (Yaranjangu) (550m) – a shady swamps and mangroves, and is well signed with Butterfly walk (375m) – a short walk boardwalk leads to views of the lovely Eliot Falls. through tropical rainforest where information about rainforest species survival The Saucepan (670m) – walk through dry heath strategies. butterflies are often seen during spring and summer. featuring casuarinas and banksias. Kulki (600m) – a boardwalk leads to a lookout River walk (1.4km) – first visit the Tully Gorge Fruit Bat Falls (400m) – a short boardwalk to over ocean, rainforest and the gorgeous view the falls. Myall Beach. lookout, then follow the track along the river through a variety of woodlands and rainforest. The following parks are remote and access may Disclaimer Atherton Tablelands be by unsealed road requiring 4WD vehicle. West of Tablelands LIZARD ISLAND NATIONAL PARK For details on any of the tracks above, please DAVIES CREEK NATIONAL PARK refer to the appropriate national park web page FORTY MILE SCRUB NATIONAL PARK Chinamans Ridge (680m) - a short, steep track circuit track (1.1km) – with on the Department of National Parks, Sport and Forty Mile Scrub circuit walk (300m) – a chance two spectacular lookouts and a then a track leading to stunning views. Racing website. All walks have potential dangers; to discover an isolated pocket of semi-evergreen beside a creek fringed with paperbark and Watsons walk (1km) – a pleasant sandy track supervise children closely at all times and stay vine-thicket. pandanus trees, this is a great short walk. through paperbark trees. on marked tracks. 12 13 www.kidsinnationalparks.org.au

Kids in National Parks is an initiative of the National Parks Association of Queensland (NPAQ), which is dedicated to promoting the preservation, expansion and good management of national parks in Queensland. Founded in 1930, NPAQ has played a pivotal role in the establishment of many national parks in Queensland. We strive to educate the community about national parks and their benefits while fostering an appreciation and enjoyment of nature.

As a not-for-profit organisation, we are reliant on your donations to continue our work protecting the unique natural spaces that Queensland’s species call home.

Make a donation or become a member today! Visit www.npaq.org.au/get-involved

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