Butterfly Falls weekend - Euphorion, Ornithoptera, and Birdwing Falls - Trip Report
Hidden waterfalls in Girringun National Park on this Townsville Bushwalking Club adventure to Euphorion Falls, Ornithoptera Falls, and Birdwing Falls. Two groups explored rainforest tracks, rock-hopped creeks, and dramatic escarpment views beneath Wallaman Falls.
Leader for group 1: Madoc
Saturday 25 June 2022 9:00 am (most camped the night before)
Leader for group 2: Luen
Sunday 26 June 2022 6:00 am (day trip)
On this particular weekend, the Townsville Bushwalking Club ran two separate trips into the spectacular Butterfly Falls area of Girringun National Park, each exploring the same remarkable network of waterfalls beneath the Wallaman Escarpment.
The first walk took place on Saturday and was led by Madoc. However, many of the hikers choose to camp the Friday night and make a proper weekend out of it.
Before heading down to the waterfalls, Madoc took the group to a remote lookout on the Wallaman Escarpment. From this vantage point, walkers were able to look across the vast Stony Creek valley toward Birdwing Falls and the rugged terrain below. It provided a unique perspective - seeing the very waterfall system the group would soon be exploring from above.
From there, the group made their way to the start of the Butterfly Falls Track and descended through woodland and dense rainforest toward the amphitheatre of waterfalls. The track becomes rough and steep in places, weaving through thick vegetation before dropping into the creek system.
At the base of the descent, the group reached the impressive twin waterfalls of Euphorion Falls and Ornithoptera Falls, named after the Cairns birdwing butterfly. The rocky amphitheatre here is a stunning spot, with water cascading down smooth rock walls into shaded pools surrounded by lush rainforest.
From this natural amphitheatre, the walkers continued downstream with a short but enjoyable rock-hop along the creek to the top of Birdwing Falls, a dramatic waterfall that plunges around 90 metres into the Stony Creek valley below.
The following day, Luen led a second group into the same area. This group first went to Wallaman Falls to see the southern-hemisphere's tallest single-drop waterfall. Then also visited the Birdwing Falls lookout along the Wallaman Escarpment before heading down the Butterfly Falls Track toward the waterfalls.
After visiting Euphorion Falls and Ornithoptera Falls, the group again made their way downstream to the top of Birdwing Falls. For those keen to explore a little further, Luen led the group off-track around the left-hand side of the falls. Carefully navigating steep slopes and rocky terrain, the group descended to the base of Birdwing Falls, where the scale of the waterfall and surrounding cliffs becomes truly impressive.
After spending time enjoying the view and the remote rainforest setting, the group climbed back up the same route and returned along the Butterfly Falls Track and one last look at the now clouded in Wallaman Falls and Herbert River Valley Lookout.
Overall, it was a fantastic and successful weekend for both Townsville Bushwalking Club groups, exploring one of the most spectacular waterfall systems in North Queensland. For those seeking even more adventure, Madoc plans to return later to lead a canyoning trip into Euphorion Falls, where participants will be able to abseil into the gorge and explore more of this rugged and rarely visited landscape off-track.
