Snake 101 & The Dalrymple Gap Guide

Welcome back to the Take A Hike podcast blog! In this episode, host Blair Woodcock is joined by the Townsville Bushwalking Club's very own Cherry Judge and Luen Warneke. We are talking about two very different aspects of hiking in North Queensland: unexpected snake encounters and the beautiful, historic Dalrymple Gap track.

Snake 101: A Surprising Python Encounter

We kicked off the episode with a wild story out of Behana Gorge near Cairns. A hiker recently had a close encounter with a python dangling from a tree. Usually, pythons are non-venomous and keep to themselves - mostly sticking to a diet of frogs or the occasional possum (like the one we spotted in a creek at the Fairfield!).

So, what prompts a python to strike? As Cherry and Luen pointed out, snakes generally only attack when they feel cornered or threatened. If you stumble upon a snake, it is best to give it plenty of space and back away.

Top Tips for Snake Safety on the Trails

• Make your presence known: Snakes do not hear airborne noise well, but they feel vibrations. Walk with heavy footfalls so they know you are coming.
• Use walking sticks: These are great for feeling your way forward and creating extra vibrations.
• Gear up: Thick canvas gaiters (worn up to the knee) and loose, long pants provide an excellent barrier against strikes.
• Buddy up: Always try to walk with a friend. If the worst happens, you have someone there to help.

Hiking The Dalrymple Gap

After the snake talk, we moved on to a much more relaxing topic: The Dalrymple Gap walking track. Located just south of Cardwell (and definitely within range of a post-hike crab sandwich), this 10km track is a fantastic day hike through beautiful rainforest.

Track Highlights and History

The Dalrymple Gap is a historic route once used for bullock carts. It is famous for an incredible old bridge built using bricks shipped all the way from Scotland!

Which Way to Walk?

You can start from either the Broadwater side or the Cardwell side. Our tip? Start on the Cardwell side. You get the steep hill out of the way right at the beginning, leaving you to enjoy a beautiful downhill walk past stunning creeks.

If you are walking one-way, expect it to take about 3.5 hours, or allow 6 hours for a return trip. Just keep an eye out for "wait-a-while" vines and the stinging Gympie-Gympie tree along the way.

Weekend Adventures

To wrap up, Luen Warneke is heading off to the Russell River area and Moochoopa Falls, while Blair and Cherry are off to intercept a Townsville Bushwalking Club hike at Diorite Falls with a mountain bike and a picnic.

Stay safe on the trails, watch out for those potholes, and happy hiking!