Gowrie Creek + Sword Ck + Broadwater Ck

Discover the hidden creeks of North Queensland in 1970: Gowrie Creek’s easy scenic valleys, Sword Creek’s rainforest rock-hopping and giant tooth peak, and Broadwater Creek’s cascades, ranges, and black bream. Classic bushwalking adventures with swimming holes and rugged beauty near Townsville.

① GOWRIE CREEK - 18/19 July 1970

L. Darvuriza, P. Rumanne, J. Coleman, P. Biddle, P. Davis, A. Atkin

Search for falls ( Broadwater we think) - an unsuccessful creek - a delightful valley with good walking - cattle pads, grassy black soil plains. Thoroughly recommended.

* Easy trip & exceedingly pleasant creek & valley.

② SWORD CK - 13th - 14th - 15th June

Ted Kelly, Lon Darwenig, Mike Moodie, Peter Hermann

Follow up bed of valley - open forest & blady grass. As the valley narrows the rainforest starts & it becomes necessary to stay in the creek & rock-hop. From here onwards the creek is beautiful - big pools etc. - some swimming is necessary? (or expedient?). At the end of the valley a giant leaning tooth sticks up - appears unclimbable by non-mechanical methods. 2 of us climbed out of the valley around the giant tooth to a spur which looked down on it. Sword Ck splits into several branches containing cascades. There does not appear to be one main waterfall. A magnificent area.

③ BROADWATER CK 10/11 th Oct. 1970

Take Copley's Road. Drive until Broadwater Ck is met. Leave car & cross ck on a 4wd drive track. Follow approx 1/2 mile & then branch off to LHS to meet Ck. (carefully note where Ck is met). Follow up Ck until night & and made a small range (good idea to follow range along resort way & then redescend to ck).

A truly beautiful creek - numerous black bream.

C. Darwenig