BUSHWALKING
Edmund Kennedy
National Park is within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Few
parts of North Queensland’s wet tropics can boast the range
of vegetation types found in this park. Only 4klm north of
Cardwell, Edmund Kennedy National Park offers visitors walking
trails, beach access, picnic area and carpark.
To follow in the
footsteps of the early settlers, take the Dalrymple Gap Walking
Track over the Cardwell range. The trail starts 15 klm south
of Cardwell. Passing
through the Girringun National park, the 10klm walking track is
suitable for experienced walkers. The trail is comprised of open
eucalypt forest with rainforest strips in the creek lines. For
a shorter walk visit the historic brick-lined bridge.Rugged Hinchinbrook
Island, 5 klm offshore from Cardwell, casts an imposing presence
being Australia’s largest island National
Park. With 393 square klm
of spectacular beaches, glorious rainforests, wilderness walks
and majestic Mount Bowen, there’s much to explore.
A 32 klm
trek which covers the eastern coast of Hinchinbrook Island, known
as The Thorsborne Trail, is popular with experienced hikers. The
journey takes around four days to complete and walkers must be
self-sufficient. Bookings should be made in advance by contacting www.epa.qld.gov.au or
the Rainforest & Reef Information Centre on info@greatgreenwaytourism.com. This
trail is described as one of the 6 best wilderness walks in the
world. Only 40 walkers are allowed on the trail at any time in
groups of no more than 6 to minimize human impact on the delicate
environment.
A tiny Eco resort situated at the north
eastern tip of Hinchinbook island boasts a self imposed guest limit
of just 50 people at any one time.
Next
stop along the Kirrama Range road is Blencoe Falls, a part of the
Girringun National Park and one of the most stunning waterfalls
in Australia. Blencoe
Falls is the northern gateway to Wet Tropics Great Walk, encompassing
over 110klms of bushwalking trails and campsites.
Blencoe Creek
plunges 90m to the pool below before cascading a further 230m to
the base of the gorge. Camping, bushwalking and scenic drives enhance
the visitors experience of this diverse Wet Tropic area.
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