Discover Secret Falls in Wooroonooran Park

Welcome back to the "Take A Hike" blog! If you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle and find a true wilderness experience, you will love our latest podcast episode. Hosts Blair Woodcock, along with Luen Warneke and Cherry Judge, share the inside scoop so you can discover some secret falls you won't find anywhere else.

Our destination is Wooroonooran National Park, nestled in the Misty Mountains near Innisfail and the Atherton Tablelands. If you base yourself at the Henrietta Camping Area, you are in the perfect spot to tackle some incredible, unmaintained trails.

The Trek to Cowley Falls

Getting to Cowley Falls takes a bit of effort, but the reward is a spectacular 80-meter waterfall surrounded by lush, untouched rainforest and beautiful orchids. Here is the route the team recommends:

• The Starting Point: Drive about five minutes from Henrietta Camping Area to Gravel Pit Road, just off the Palmerston Highway.
• Friendship Falls (Little Cowley Falls): Follow an old paddler track marked with pink tape down into the South Johnston River gorge. This will lead you to Friendship Falls.
• Beware the Snapping Jaws: Yes, there are estuarine crocodiles (salties) in this area! To stay safe, walk about a kilometre upstream along the South Johnston River to Mitcha Creek. Once you hit the boulders and rocks a couple of hundred meters up the creek, you are out of croc territory and at the base of Cowley Falls.
• Explore the Cave: There is a cave right underneath the falls. You can crawl around behind the cascading water for an incredible view and a perfect photo op.

The Return Journey

For the average hiker, this trip will take about 4 to 6 hours return. To get back, you can either retrace your steps or challenge yourself by taking the steep ridgeline beside Cowley Falls. It requires scrambling on all fours and pulling yourself up by roots and vegetation, but it eventually contours around to the top of the falls. From there, you can walk out via the remnants of an old, overgrown national park track.

A Quick Bonus: Tipun Falls

If you want a shorter adventure, Luen shared another hidden gem just off the highway. Head in the opposite direction from Henrietta Camping Area. Where a creek passes under the road, walk just 100 meters into the rainforest to find Tipun Falls. It is smaller than Cowley, but just as beautiful and untouched.

Remember, these are unofficial, off-track routes. You can find more detailed notes on Wanderstories, but always be prepared, pack appropriately, and stay croc-wise. Happy bushwalking, and we will catch you on the next trail!