Five-Mile Creek
Discover Five Mile Creek near Cardwell, a rugged 1977 bushwalk through a gorge with towering cliffs, deep pools, and pack swims. Highlights include a dramatic 100m multi-stage waterfall, rocky ridges, and rainforest scenery—an adventurous North Queensland hike best done in the dry season.
November 11, 12 '77
Alan Watson, Ross Ninnis
Permission from the Norwegian.
It is possible to get up to end of creek in 4-5 hours .. is possible day walk.
Time from the Norwegian to creek - ~ 1/2 hour.
Best time of year : at end of year - low water level.
Five Mile Creek is a reasonable sized creek (a large catchment area). The creek is in a gorge with towering rocky hills, looming vertically overhead. Some parts of creek are best swum with pack. Waterproof pack & good footwear is essential.
At end of creek, there is an amphitheatre of falls. The main falls drop at least 100m in at least 2 stages. It is possible to go further up the creek if you scale the steep ridge.
We came across a collection of bones in the creek: many long vertebrae, some scales and a furry tail. We tried to imagine what beast could have scales and a furry tail. After scratching our heads for 5 minutes, we concluded it must be a huge python (20-25 ft??) that had partly eaten a wallaby, & died in the creek.
R. Ninnis
Map:
CARDWELL 1:100,000 (not very useful)
KIRRAMA 1:100,000
Rating: medium.
