Local Trails Around Town: Castle Hill & Beyond
Take a Hike and discover some of the local trails around town, like Castle Hill, Mount Louisa, and the Douglas Hills! Join Blair, Cherry, and Luen as they explore Townsville's rich hiking history, hidden tracks, and best scrambling spots.
Welcome back to the Take A Hike podcast! In this episode, host Blair Woodcock sits down with Townsville Bushwalking Club regulars Cherry Judge and Luen Warneke to Take a Hike and discover some of the local trails around town, like Castle Hill, Mount Louisa, and more.
Before diving into our local backyard, Cherry and Luen shared some recent adventures. The club recently explored Hidden Gorges, complete with water creek systems and a "mini Uluru" rock formation. Meanwhile, a cruisy trip to Forgotten Falls along the K Traverse in Paluma included a birthday cake celebration right by Platypus Pool.
Castle Hill: A Treasure Trove of Trails
Did you know Townsville was originally called "Castle Town" until 1864, named after its iconic central feature? Castle Hill was illegally logged for years and suffered damage from goats (giving us the Goat Track) before being officially gazetted as a recreational reserve in 1888. Today, it boasts over 20 different walking tracks, off-track explorations, and even a dedicated bouldering guidebook!
The Best Castle Hill Tracks
- Dianella & Triandra Tracks: Cherry's absolute favourite is Dianella, starting from the Western Cemetery. It meets up with Triandra, which takes you around the base of the old quarry... where you can still spot a giant romantic heart sign!
- Scramble Track: A surprising, steep hidden gem that links Triandra and Ironbark, taking you straight up a scramble to the summit.
- Widowmaker: Luen's top pick. Starting from the wooden platform where the stairs, Goat Track, and Cutheringa Track meet, this track offers exposed pink granite slabs, sea breezes, and epic photo opportunities. Just stay away from the edge!
- Cutheringa Track: Known for its intense stairs. While some trail runners groan about the added steps, they have been vital in preventing erosion and preserving the track. For context on fitness, Luen used to run up Cutheringa in about 10 minutes - though most of us are more than happy to take our time!
Beyond the Hill: Mount Louisa and Douglas Hills
If you want to mix up your fitness routine or avoid the busy Castle Hill crowds, Mount Louisa offers fantastic options. The council has created an excellent, popular track starting from the corner of Bayswater Road and Western Street. From the summit, you can tackle the Crest Trail towards the radar, or explore older trails winding down to Dalrymple Road.
Don't forget the Douglas Hills! While it is a well-known mountain bike reserve, there are also dedicated walking tracks. You can take the path up Windarra Avenue to the summit, explore the JCU Summit trail, or challenge yourself on the JCU Stairs.
You don't always have to drive out to Paluma or Cape Bowling Green to find a great walk. There is plenty to explore right here in our own backyard. Stay safe on the trails, and happy hiking!
