Townsville Bushwalking Club’s Crystal & Gold Falls hike turned into adventure and emergency. Stunning swims, steep scrambles, and a helicopter rescue tested teamwork and preparation, with all walkers safely out by nightfall. A reminder of both beauty and risks in Mt Spec’s waterfalls.
Mt Halifax (1,063 m) near Rollingstone is a steep, challenging 10 km return hike with ropes, ridgelines, waterfalls, and rainforest. This tough full-day climb rewards experienced bushwalkers with sweeping views across Townsville and the coast. Best tackled in dry months with full gear.
Townsville Bushwalking Club’s Garrawalt Creek 3-day hike swapped Orpheus Island for Wallaman Falls. Camp by the creek, explore rapids, reach the spectacular top falls, discover a beer keg, and dream of Flagstone Creek adventures.
A classic three-day bushwalking adventure from Puzzle Creek to Running River, featuring waterfalls, sandy campsites, gorge views, tricky scrambles, and slippery rocks in the rain. A challenging but rewarding journey through rugged North Queensland terrain.
A challenging rainforest trek from Paluma village to Bambaroo via Mt Spec and the Bambaroo Track. Highlights include Crystal Falls, Wilfred’s hut, golden bowerbird bowers, giant strangler figs, leeches, snakes, and a Frosty Mango ice cream finish.
Lost (North) Creek bushwalk: A navigational detour turned into an off-track adventure—bush-bashing past dry creeks and cycads before popping out on Alligator Creek. Rock-hopped to the falls for lunch with views, then returned via the NP track. Unplanned, unforgettable.
Seven walkers set out to find a memorial plaque near Mt Cook on Magnetic Island, honouring two canoeists lost in 1962. After a hot, hilly trek through gullies, stinging trees, and ridgelines, they found it overlooking Pallarenda—before pushing on to Horseshoe Bay and, finally, the pub.
Explore Five Mile Creek near Cardwell with the Townsville Bushwalking Club. A two-day hike of rock hopping, gorges, boulder scrambles, swimming holes and a 70 m waterfall, offering rugged terrain and scenic rainforest adventure north of Townsville.
Twelve hikers tackled the steep climb to the WW2 B-24 Liberator Texas Terror wreck on Mt Straloch, Hinchinbrook Island. After a long day of rock-hopping, rope climbs, stinging trees, and close calls, the group reached the memorial cross before descending to meet the boat—tired but elated.
Paluma to Bambaroo via Waterfall Creek (2012): A tough 2-day through-walk with spectacular cascades, sheer drops, and 800 m descent. Rain turned granite slick, forcing bush-bashing through lantana and vines before finally emerging at Bambaroo farm after dark – tired, soaked, but triumphant.
Mt Elliot summit (2012): A tough two-day adventure via North Creek to the summit, with rainforest climbs, dry saddles, thick wait-a-while, and shredded legs. Camped high, then descended Alligator Creek past cascades and falls. Hard, scenic, and a real club achievement.
Townsville Bushwalking Club’s 2012 Kokoda Track trek (Kokoda → Owers Corner) marked the 70th anniversary: a 9-day, 96 km crossing of the Owen Stanley Range with ~6,000 m ascent/descent, village camps, powerful WWII history, and outstanding PNG porter support.