Terraces turns North - Trip Report

Sunday 28 September 2025

Leaders: Ian Wallace & Cherry Judge
Party: Cherry, Ian, Graeme, Wendy, Joel, Sue, Amanda, and Neli
Grade: Moderate–hard (off-track, rock-hopping, scrambling)
Location: Bowling Green Bay National Park — North Creek (Sandy Creek)
Distance / time: ~10 km, ~5 hrs
Ascent: ~300 m

The plan was to walk The Terraces, in the Bowling Green Bay National Park, Mount Elliot Section, but due to a miscommunication, we did not have permission from the landowner to access The Terraces Walk through his land. The Townsville Bushwalking Club will never walk on private property without the explicit permission of the owner, and we do not endorse trespassing. With quick thinking, the group switched to North Creek (Sandy Creek) in another part of the Bowling Green Bay National Park. Despite lower-than-usual flow, the creek still carried enough water in the upper sections to liven the waterfalls and provide excellent swimming spots.

• Cleared track: The first part of the walk, and the last part for the return, was along the track to Alligator Creek Falls, following the creek until we came to Sandy Creek, also known as North Creek, a tributary of Alligator Creek.
• Lower creek section: From the access point, we followed the creek bed upstream, weaving between shallow pools and dry stretches.
• Rock-hopping and scrambling: Progress involved steady rock-hopping, occasional scrambles, and pushing through rare pockets of trees and scrub.
• Waterfalls & swimming: The main waterfall was flowing lightly, but enough to tumble over the ledges. At the top, we found a superb swimming hole with panoramic views down the valley, giving us an “infinity pool” feeling, making it the perfect spot for cooling off and having some lunch.
• Wildlife encounters: Lizards scuttled across the rocks, snakes were spotted sunning near the banks, many birds were seen and heard, and a wild boar was flushed from the scrub. Several Convolvulus hawk moths (known as “night’s gentle glider”) also made an appearance, despite their best efforts not to be seen, due to excellent camouflage with the grey rocks.

The weather was glorious — warm and sunny, with just enough cloud cover in the morning to keep the temperature comfortable. However, it started to warm up a lot on the return walk in the early afternoon. Creek flow was modest but adequate. The rock surfaces were dry, making scrambling straightforward, and the pools were inviting for the well-earned swims.

Started mid-morning, returned by mid-afternoon. Total ~5 hrs with swim breaks.

Of course, we finished with the traditional ice creams from the Alligator Creek Roadhouse.

What began as a setback turned into a classic North Queensland off-track adventure. The group adapted to the change in plans, enjoying a rewarding day of rock-hopping, wildlife encounters, and swimming in pristine creeks. North Creek was the consolation prize, but what a fantastic consolation prize it was. The Terraces will still be there for another day, but North Creek delivered.

- Ian