Long Hikes For Your Townsville Long Weekend
Hear about some long hikes you can do this long weekend in Townsville! Blair Woodcock, Luen Warneke, and Cherry Judge share 3-day treks in Girringun National Park, Wallaman Falls, the Herbert River, and Leave No Trace rules for rock cairns.
Welcome to another episode summary of the Take A Hike podcast! With the October long weekend approaching, Blair Woodcock, Luen Warneke, and Cherry Judge from the Townsville Bushwalking Club dive into how to spend two to three days exploring North Queensland's stunning trails. If you want to hear about some long hikes you can do this long weekend in Townsville and the surrounding region, read on!
Wallaman Falls and Girringun National Park
Wallaman Falls is the perfect launchpad for a long weekend. It boasts Australia's highest permanent single-drop waterfall and features a sensational campground right by the banks of Stony Creek.
Practical Tips for Wallaman:
- Getting There: Head towards Ingham and follow the well-signposted, fully paved road to the falls.
- Camping: Book your site through national parks. It is super affordable, and you are directly supporting park maintenance.
- Local Knowledge: Take the time to chat with the Girringun rangers when they check your pass. Their local knowledge is incredible.
- Beyond the Falls: Bring inflatable toys or kayaks! You can launch them into Stony Creek and paddle upstream, away from the main falls for a smarter, quieter option.
Taking on the Great Walk
If you want a true multi-day adventure, consider sections of the Great Walk network. This Y-shaped trail system connects Wallaman Falls, the Herbert River (Yamanie pickup point), Henrietta, and Blencoe Falls.
Depending on your route, this is a 3-day or 5-day trek. However, it shouldn't be taken lightly.
- Herbert River Section (Blencoe to Yamanie): This is largely river walking through sand, over rocks, and navigating small cliffs. You need to be fully self-sustained and strictly "croc-wise".
- Wallaman to Yamanie/Henrietta: This route follows a fire trail where you can spot remnants of old cattle yards. Be prepared for steep descents and wild, rugged country.
Hidden Waterfalls
The Wallaman to Yamanie section is peppered with hidden streams and waterfalls dropping off the range, such as:
- Garrawalt Falls
- Flagstone Falls (just a short 100-meter detour off the track)
- Butterfly Falls
These require a bit of off-track walking and navigational experience. For detailed guides on these wild side trips, the team recommends checking out wanderstories.space.
Leave No Trace: The Problem with Rock Cairns
When spending days out on the trail, following "Leave No Trace" principles is vital. You should only leave footsteps and take memories.
The team highlighted a specific issue: building rock cairns. While people think they look pretty, anything unnatural has no place in wild creek environments.
Why you should stop stacking rocks:
- Navigational Confusion: Rock cairns have historically been used for navigation in high country areas. If you build random ones near a creek, other hikers might follow them and accidentally get off track.
- Habitat Destruction: The crevices within rock beds are homes and hiding places for fish, lizards, and other small organisms.
- Water Filtration: Moving rocks disturbs the vital algae that grow underneath them, which naturally filter the creek water.
What to do if you see rock cairns: Dismantle them carefully and slowly. Do not kick them over, as this can cause further damage to the rocks and the habitat.
Enjoy the long weekend, stay safe out on the trails, and happy hiking! Next time, we'll feature options for both novices and those looking for a serious challenge.
