Wet Season Hikes in Townsville & What to Pack

Let's embrace the wet season! In the latest episode of the "Take A Hike" podcast, Blair Woodcock, alongside regular guests Luen Warneke and Cherry Judge from the Townsville Bushwalking Club, dives into how to safely enjoy the recent deluge of rain. From flooded creeks to off-track navigation, here is how you can get out there and explore safely.

Riding the Flooded Creeks

The recent heavy rains have transformed usually dry or placid areas into rushing waterways. For experienced adventurers, this opens up a whole new world of water-based activities, such as packrafting and tubing.

• Alligator Creek: When flooded, this creek can boast grade three rapids! It's a short window – sometimes just a few days – to walk up to Cockatoo Creek with your 20kg raft or kayak and ride it down.
• Black River: A slightly safer option for paddlers is the run from the Black River Road bridge down to the Bruce Highway bridge. It's a shorter run with fewer obstacles.
• Rollingstone Creek: If tubing is more your speed, Rollingstone and Crystal Creek are fantastic options when water levels are right. However, always go with someone experienced if it is your first time.

Chasing Waterfalls: Saddle Creek and Dolby Creek

If you prefer to stay on your feet rather than in a raft, the wet season is the perfect time to explore smaller water catchment areas that are usually dry.

Saddle Creek

Located just past the Little Crystal Creek Bridge on the Paluma Range Road, this off-track adventure starts at an old depression-era road camp. You navigate down through the long grass and vines, following the creek past cascades and waterfalls, eventually finishing at Paradise Waterhole. Keep in mind: even though it's only about 3km as the crow flies, navigating around big drops and thick bush can make this a 5 to 6 hour journey!

Dolby Creek & Junction Falls

Flowing into Crystal Creek near the Paluma Dam, Dolby Creek is a stunning, creek-based walk. Like Saddle Creek, it requires off-track navigation, weaving in and out of the creek bed as the terrain allows. It is full of beautiful mini waterfalls and swimming holes.

Safety First: The Realities of Flash Flooding

Wet season hiking is not your average weekend stroll. Creeks with large catchment areas can flash flood within minutes. A heavy downpour at the top of the Paluma Range can turn a gentle creek into a hazard before you know it. Always be aware of the weather and remember tragic incidents at places like the Babinda Boulders... Mother Nature is powerful.

What to Pack: Waterproofing Your Gear

Townsville humidity and rain are notoriously tough on camping gear. Here is how the pros keep their gear dry and lasting longer:

• Invest in a Pack Liner: Forget single-use garbage bags. A proper pack liner from an outdoor store is inexpensive, reusable, and much better for the environment.
• Dry Bags: Make sure you roll them up properly without creases. If you plan to submerge your pack, double- or triple-bag your important items! Avoid cheap fabric dry bags with plastic spray coatings, as they degrade quickly.
• Proper Storage: Store your gear inside the house, not in a hot, humid garage. Keep sleeping bags and down jackets hung up or unstuffed in loose bags to maintain their loft.
• The Ziploc Confession: While we try to avoid single-use plastics, Ziploc bags are undeniably handy for phones, keys, and partitioning food. If you must use them, be like our hosts and wash them out to reuse them until they fall apart!

If you want to learn how to navigate off-track safely and make the most of the wet season, the best thing you can do is learn from experienced locals. Head over to the calendar page to check out the upcoming events and become a member. Happy hiking!