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Blencoe Falls, Girringun National Park

  • Nature, culture and history

    • Park alerts and park summary

    Getting there and getting around

    Blencoe Falls can be accessed via the coast from Kennedy or inland via Mt Garnet. Access to Blencoe Falls should only be attempted in dry conditions, and 4WDs are recommended. Local flooding may restrict access. Contact the RACQ to enquire about local road conditions (see tourism information links below for RACQ contact details).

    From Kennedy

    Turn west off the Bruce Highway, 11km north of Cardwell at Kennedy. Drive a further 7km along the Kennedy Creek Road and turn right into Kirrama Range Road. Follow the signs through the scenic Kirrama Range. Most of the road is unsealed, steep and windy. Allow at least two hours to travel the 66km.

    From Mt Garnet

    Blencoe Falls is 96km south-east of Mt Garnet. The two-hour drive passes through several cattle stations along the Kennedy Development Road, Kirrama — Mt Garnet Road and Kirrama — Cashmere Road.

    Wheelchair accessibility

    There are no wheelchair-accessible tracks or facilities in this section of Girringun National Park.

    Park features

    The Blencoe Falls Section of Girringun National Park boasts spectacular scenery and an array of plant and animal life. Blencoe Falls plunges 90m to the pool below, before cascading a further 230m to the base of the gorge.

    Open forest dominates the escarpments and she-oaks line the Herbert River. Along the gullies and upper slopes of the Herbert River Gorge, vine-thicket rainforest scattered with hoop pines persists.

    In the open forest, animals such as the elegant whiptail wallaby and gangly emu try to find sanctuary from the heat. In the river and creeks, freshwater turtles can be seen basking on logs or peering through the surface of the water.

    Natural, cultural and historical values make this region a truly special place. We invite you to explore the park, learn about its history and enjoy the diverse plant and animal life.

    Read more about the nature, culture and history of the Blencoe Falls Section of Girringun National Park.

    Camping and accommodation

    Camping

    Blencoe Falls campsite has toilets, and water can be collected from Blencoe Creek. Remember to treat water before use. Camping permits are required and fees apply.

    To avoid trampling vegetation, disturbing wildlife and causing erosion, please keep your 4WD on marked tracks. Failure to stay on the track may incur a penalty.

    If you prefer to rough it, then limited bush camping opportunities exist as part of the Wet Tropics Great Walk. These are "hike-in" sites and the camper needs to be totally self-sufficient.

    Other accommodation

    There is a range of holiday accommodation in and around the towns between Townsville and Cairns and inland at Mt Garnet. The options include hotels, motels, bed and breakfast, hostels, farm stays, eco-lodges, caravan parks and commercial camping areas.

    For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Things to do

    Walking

    Blencoe Falls provides a gateway to the Wet Tropics Great Walk. With 110km of walking opportunities, including short and overnight walks, there is something for everyone.

    (1) Jabali — 5km return (Allow 1.5–2hrs) Grade: Moderate

    The Jabali (Ju-bah-li — whiptail wallaby) walk provides sensational views of Blencoe Falls and an opportunity to experience the rugged country of the Australian bush. Read more about this walk.

    (2) Blencoe Falls lookout — 400m return (Allow 20 minutes) Grade: Easy

    Along this short stroll, a distant dull rumble becomes a roar as you get closer to Blencoe Falls. At the lookout, soak up the sights and sounds of the falls as they race towards the Herbert River. Relic hoop pines shrouded in mist can create an eerie feeling.

    (3) Jambal walk — 20.6km return (Allow 2 days) Grade: Difficult

    The Jambal (Jum-bul — snake) walk to the Herbert River Gorge is for experienced, self-sufficient walkers with a high level of fitness.

    (4) Juwun walk — 43.5km one way (Allow 4-6 days) Grade: Difficult.

    The Juwun (Jorn — Herbert River Gorge) walk is a strenuous walk through the Herbert River Gorge from Blencoe Falls to Yamanie Section pick-up and is suitable only for experienced, self-sufficient walkers with a high level of fitness. Read more about this extended walk.

    Fishing

    Fishing is permitted in Girringun National Park. Size, take and possession limits apply. Contact the Department of Primary Industries for further information. Always remember to be croc wise in croc country.

    Lookouts

    The Herbert River Gorge lookout provides amazing views of the Herbert River as it meanders its way through the gorge.

    Things to know before you go

    The Blencoe Falls Section of Girringun National Park is remote and help can be hours away. Remember to tell a responsible person where you are going and when you expect to return. Have a contingency plan in place if you fail to contact them by the agreed time. If you change your plans, inform them. Be aware that mobile phone coverage is limited.

    A bushwalking registration form is available on line or from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Information Centres.

    Essentials to bring

    Opening hours

    Girringun National Park is open 24 hours a day. Some walks may be closed during the wet season, between September and May. Additional closures may occur for management purposes including weed and feral animal control.

    Permits and fees

    Camping permits are required for camping in Girringun National Park and fees apply. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your campsite. Fees apply.

    Pets

    Please leave your pets at home; domestic animals are not permitted in Girringun National Park.

    Climate and weather

    High rainfall summers and drier winters characterise the north-east Queensland tropical savanna region. Daytime temperatures and humidity can be high at any time of the year and nights can be very cool. In July the average overnight minimum temperatures are between 9 degrees Celsius and 18 degrees Celsius. Temperatures may drop as low as zero degrees Celsius and frosts can occur in elevated areas. Please carry suitable clothing to accommodate all extremes. July to October are generally the driest months, but heavy rain can fall at any time.

    For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Fuel and supplies

    Fuel and supplies are available from local towns such as Cardwell, Kennedy and Mt Garnet.

    Staying safe

    In the event of an emergency, communication equipment is vital. You should carry at least one form of communication equipment. Mobile phone coverage is very limited and should not be relied upon as the only form of emergency communication. In case of an emergency, if network access is available, dial 000 with a CDMA mobile phone or 112 with a normal digital mobile phone.

    For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.

    Looking after the park

    See Caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

    Park management

    The Blencoe Falls Section of Girringun National Park was gazetted as part of Lumholtz National Park in 2000. Lumholtz National Park become Girringun National Park in 2003. It is managed for the purposes of nature conservation and nature-based recreation.

    A management plan for Girringun National Park will be produced in the future.

    Tourism information links

    Flinders Mall Information Centre (Townsville Enterprise Ltd)

    For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au.

    For information on road conditions contact:

    RACQ (The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland)
    • www.racq.com.au (see Motoring, Road Safety and Road Conditions Report)
    • ph 1300 130 595 for 24 hour road reports

    Further information

    EPA Reef and National Parks Information Centre
    • Old Quarantine Station, Pallarenda
    • PO Box 5391, Townsville QLD 4810
    • ph (07) 4722 5224
    • fax (07) 4722 5222
    • email tsv.infocentre@epa.qld.gov.au
    • Open 8.30am–5pm Monday–Friday, except public holidays and Christmas to New Year
    EPA Customer Service Centre
    • 160 Ann Street, Brisbane
    • PO Box 15155, City East Qld 4002
    • ph (07) 3227 8185
    • fax (07) 3227 8749
    • email csc@epa.qld.gov.au
    Smart Service Queensland (for camping bookings)

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    Last updated: 12 June 2009