Australia - Wanderstories

Upper Gold Creek

Upper Gold Creek is a long circuit but you are rewarded with a lush rainforest walk through a flat sandy creek bed. This off-track walk showcases some of Paluma's highlights, such as Foxlee's Lookout, Gold Creek Falls, and Crystal Creek Falls.

Paluma Range National Park

Double Barrel Creek

This fern-filled creek is in the heart of Paluma Range National Park and best done during or just after the wet season when there's a bit of flow in the creek. There are no large waterfalls in this creek but there are several small cascades.

Paluma Range National Park

The Blue Lagoon and The Three Lagoons Hike

The Blue Lagoon is a large waterhole located in upper Crystal Creek. The Townsville Bushwalking Club has done this hike several times and it's often done in conjunction with other swimming holes around the area. This hike is nicknamed "The Three Lagoons Hike".

Paluma Range National Park

Dolby Creek and upper Crystal Creek

On this hike you will see both Dolby and Crystal Creeks, Dolby's and Johnstone's huts, an array of water races, and several mines of varying sizes. So, whether you are a history buff or nature and landscape enthusiast, there is something for everyone here. This is a fantastic full-day hike!

North Queensland

Kelly Mountain

Kelly Mountain, and known to some as Mount Kelly, rises to an elevation of 186 metres and provides views out across the Burdekin River and the surrounding landscape.

Paluma Range National Park

Paluma Range Road Hidden Waterfalls

Most of these waterfalls only come to life after heavy rain and flood events. With gorgeous creeks and waterfalls at every corner, this journey makes for a great photography trip.

Eungella National Park

Mackay Highlands Great Walk

The Mackay Highlands Great Walk, which starts at the township of Eungella, 80 kilometres west of Mackay, is a medium-to-hard multi-day hike through wet rainforest, farming communities, dry eucalypt woodlands, and a mountain range.

Girringun National Park

Flagstone Canyon, Flagstone Creek

Flagstone Canyon is a fantastic big drop and committing canyon for advanced canyoneers. The canyon features the impressive multi-terances Flagstone Falls with approximately 300 metres of elevation drop in 200 metres.

Girringun National Park

How to get to the top of Flagstone Falls

Flagstone Falls is an impressive multi-terraced waterfalls that drop down the range 300 metres.

Girringun National Park

The Wall of Waterfalls

There's something special about this place. It's a wall of waterfalls where you can see six waterfalls in one spot. We call it the 'Wall of Waterfalls'.

Girringun National Park

Garrawalt Canyon, Garrawalt Creek

Garrawalt Falls is impressive enough to look at, let along rappel down them. This majestic canyon provide long drops, rappels through water, and plenty of pack swims. This canyon will not disappoint.

Girringun National Park

How to get to Garrawalt Falls

Garrawalt Falls is a scenic area where the creek crops off the Sea View Range escarpment. Although it may not be as spectacular as the nearby Wallaman Falls, Garrawalt Falls has a vertical drop of 90 metres into a gorge followed by a series of cascades into the large pool below.

Townsville

Three natural rock slides near Townsville

Most Townsvillians know of the rock slides, that's the one just after Paradise Waterhole near the base of Mount Spec. However, there are several rock slides, but first, let's start

Paluma Range National Park

Nolan's Gully rock slides

Located one hour north of Townsville in Paluma Range National Park, Nolan's Gully rock slides has several waterfalls to jump from, rocks to slide on, and pools to swim in.

Paluma Range National Park

How to get to Paradise Waterhole, Big Crystal Creek

Paradise Waterhole, also known as Paradise Lagoon, is only a short walk from the Crystal Creek day-use area. Here, you can relax and unwind while the kids jump into the water and have a swim.

Girringun National Park

Mount Westminster Abbey

Mount Westminster Abbey rises 926 metres above sea level in the Broadwater area. A large cliff at the top provides views across views of Hinchinbrook Island, Hinchinbrook Channel, and Dalrymple Gap.

Wooroonooran National Park

Mount Bellenden Ker

Mount Bellenden Ker (Centre Peak) rises above the Bellenden Ker Range – also known as the Wooroonooran Range – at a height of 1,589 metres and is the second highest mountain in the state of Queensland.

Bowling Green Bay National Park

Double Creek and Sharp Elliott

Located in the Mount Surround area (near Giru), it's yet another beautiful spot inside Cape Bowling Green National Park. Just of the highway, you'll find Double Creek with fresh water running straight down from the Elliot Massif, this is a perfect place for a summer's weekend day trip.

Bowling Green Bay National Park

Spring Creek and The Shoulder

Spring Creek and The Shoulder are located in Bowling Green Bay National Park. The Shoulder (1,022 m) is between Mount Elliot and Sharp Elliot and can be approached via Hidden Falls or Spring Creek.

Wooroonooran National Park

Nandroya Falls

Nandroya Falls Track is a popular on-track walk through danse rainforest and is located near Palmerston, Queensland, Australia. It features the stunning, multi-drop, 50 metre waterfall which is accessed via the six kilometre loop trail.

Central Queensland

Minerva Hills National Park

Minerva Hills National Park is located 4 km northwest of Springsure in Central Queensland, Australia. This area was formed 23-34 million years ago by volcanic activity. Today, Minerva Hills features cliffs, jagged peaks, gorges, open woodlands, dry rainforest, and spectacular views.

Townsville

Rowes Bay Wetlands Boardwalk

The Rowes Bay Wetland Boardwalk, also known as the Sand Island Tracks, consists of a vegetated sand island and surrounding low lying salt flat, which is seasonally a shallow freshwater wetland. The sand island is vegetated with diverse woodland and provides habitat for large iconic species.

Townsville

Kayaking to or around Magnetic Island

Paddling can be so rewarding, and we are lucky to have such a gem of a kayaking destination that is perfectly located next to Townsville. Many locals surf ski across to Picnic Bay in the mornings before work or have a relaxing paddle around the island on the weekend. Pick your perfect paddle!

How To

Trail Running in Townsville

Some say trail running is simply running in nature. And, Townsville is lucky to have some of the best trails in Australia. Run up Castle Hill after work from the heart of the city, and you will not only have a great run, but also 360° views of the area!

Bare Hill Conservation Park

Bunda Bibandji Rock Art Walking Track

Bunda Bibandji (a.k.a. Bare Hill) is home to the largest Aboriginal rock art complex in the Cairns Hinterland region. Prior to their forced removal in 1916, this was an important birthing and hunting place for the Buluwandji People.

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