Saltwater Creek Gorge - Trip Report

Leader: Luen Warneke
Date: Saturday 1 March 2025
Participants: 13

Thirteen of us met at the Yabulu BP before carpooling north to the start of the walk, where we parked in a gravel pit off the Bruce Highway. From there, we set off along a grassy road, taking a short bush shortcut of about 100 m to trim a little distance before rejoining the track. A couple of small creek crossings and some easy flat walking got the group moving nicely.

The off-track section began through long grass that hid plenty of loose rocks underfoot and kept everyone on their toes. Once through that patch, the terrain became much friendlier. We picked up what looked like cattle pads and generally followed the line of least resistance beside the creek, weaving through open country at the base of the range. It was mostly flat going to this point, and the group made good time as the mountain slowly drew us in towards Saltwater Creek.

Before long, the landscape changed dramatically. Freshly shifted red dirt appeared underfoot, and it was obvious the recent rains and flooding had done some serious damage. We followed the disturbed soil for a few hundred metres until the source of it revealed itself - a huge, raw landslip carved into the hillside. It was an impressive sight, still looking very fresh, and we spent a while taking photos, exploring the site, and appreciating its scale.

Beyond the landslip, the mountain pressed us closer into the creek, and the walking became more technical. We started rock hopping up the left-hand side of the creek, climbing over boulders, roots, and uneven ground. It was only about 700 m to the gorge from there, but the terrain slowed us down. Just before the gorge, a second, smaller landslip appeared on the right-hand side upstream - another reminder of how much the area had changed after the big wet season.

The gorge itself was a beauty, and well worth the effort. We stopped there for lunch and a swim, surrounded by smooth granite, clear pools, and the steep walls of the creek corridor. A few of us climbed around and a little farther upstream to check out the small falls above the main gorge, where there was a very cool little hole in and behind the waterfall that you could duck into and enjoy from the inside.

After lunch and a long enough break to cool off, we retraced our route back out, again following the easiest ground we could find. One of the funnier moments of the day came back at the big landslip, when Danielle managed to lose a shoe in the deep mud. It took some committed digging - arms deep at one point, but the shoe was eventually recovered from the red sludge to much amusement and relief.

We picked up the grassy road once more, crossed the same two small creeks, and on the way out explored a slightly different track towards the end, including a stop at an old timber and corrugated iron shed. From there, it was a short stroll back to the cars and the end of a great day out. A great day out with some hidden waterholes and some fascinating evidence of just how powerful the recent floods had been.

Also, a fun historical note to finish: Crystal Creek was originally known as Saltwater Creek, but the name was later changed to avoid confusion with the nearby Saltwater Creek during the tin mining era.

- Luen