Antill Plains Creek Tributary - Trip Report

Saturday, 12th April 2025
Leader Luen Warneke

We had just a small crew for this walk; three of us in total, with Luen leading the walk and one member joining the Townsville Bushwalking Club for their very first walk. A good introduction to a proper rock-hopping adventure. Access to this creek requires permission through private property, and after receiving the farmer's approval we crossed the grazing land and began following farm tracks toward the hills.

The ground was boggy in places, and sections of the track were muddy enough to keep us hopping between grass clumps. A few weeds and overgrown patches slowed things down before the farm tracks gradually faded into old overgrown vehicle tracks. Along the way we passed scattered Chinese chunky apple bushes, a sign that we were getting closer to the national park boundary.

Soon enough the landscape began to tighten and the creekline appeared ahead. The tributary itself was lined with tall she-oaks, their fine needles filtering the sunlight over the rocky creek bed. From here the terrain changed completely.

This creek is very rocky and technical, requiring constant rock hopping, scrambling and careful climbing upstream through the granite boulders. Progress was slow but fun, the kind of terrain that keeps you fully engaged with every step. The further we climbed, the larger the granite boulders became. Partway upstream we reached one of the creek’s most unusual features - a large granite cave tucked beneath a massive overhanging block.

To continue, we had to crawl through the cave, squeezing between smooth granite walls before emerging on the other side. It’s a strange little passage and one of those features that gives the creek its character. Climbing out of the cave brought us to the top of a cliff section, where the creek opened up again.

Not long after the cave we reached the main waterfall - a beautiful slabby cascade dropping into a clear swimming hole. Granite walls framed the pool and the water slid down polished rock into the basin below. It was the perfect place to stop.

We had a long swim and break, enjoying the cool water and the quiet of the gorge. After the break we continued further upstream, scrambling through more granite boulders and shallow pools.

Eventually we reached another waterfall in the right-hand fork of the creek, where we stopped again for a short rest before turning back.

On the way back we stopped again at the main cascade swimming hole, squeezing in one more swim before heading downstream.

The return trip followed the same rocky creekline back through the she-oaks before climbing out of the creek and retracing our steps across the farm tracks and grazing land.

By the time we reached the cars it had been a big day of rock hopping, scrambling and swimming - exactly the kind of adventure this small granite tributary delivers. Antill Plains Creek Tributary is not a place for casual wandering. It's technical, slow-going terrain and best suited to experienced bushwalkers comfortable with scrambling and off-track travel. But for those willing to work for it, the reward is a beautiful little granite gorge filled with caves, cascades and swimming holes. And for one member, it made for a memorable first walk with the club. Big day. Fun day.