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Davies Creek National Park, Dinden National Park and Bare Hill Conservation Park

  • Nature, culture and history

    • Park alerts and park summary

    Getting there and getting around

    The campgrounds and walking tracks within these parks can be accessed via a number of roads in the Cairns area.

    Davies Creek National Park campground

    From Cairns take the Captain Cook Highway north to the Kennedy Highway. After travelling through Kuranda, go a further 21km before turning left on to Davies Creek Road. The campground is 7km along this road. The road may be closed in the wet season (November — March) due to flooding. Contact QPWS Cairns to enquire about local road conditions. This road is gravel, corrugated and unsuitable for caravans and trailers.

    Dinden National Park campground and Kahlpahlim Rock

    Six campsites are situated in Dinden National Park, a further 5km along Davies Creek Road from Davies Creek National Park. The start of the Kahlpahlim Rock walking trail is past both campgrounds, 14.5km along Davies Creek Road. Visit only in the dry season (April — October). Four-wheel-drive vehicles are advisable for access to the campsites.

    Clohesy fig tree circuit walk, Dinden National Park

    This walk is accessed via Clohesy River Road, which starts at the Kennedy Highway, 31km south of Mareeba or 10km from Kuranda. The Clohesy fig tree is 9km along this road and access is only possible by four-wheel-drive vehicles. The creek crossings may be impassable after rain. Contact QPWS Cairns or QPWS Atherton to enquire about local road conditions. A permit from the Wet Tropics Management Authority is required to traverse Clohesy River Road beyond the fig tree. See permits and fees for more information.

    Bare Hill Conservation Park

    Bare Hill Conservation Park is within Dinden National Park. Bunda Bibandji (Bare Hill) can be accessed by four-wheel-drive vehicle via Bridle Creek Road. From the Kennedy Highway, follow Davies Creek Road for 2.3km and turn left onto Bridle Creek Road. The carpark and start of the walking track are located 5.3km along this road and access beyond the carpark is by walking track only.

    Wheelchair accessibility

    The Clohesy fig tree walk in Dinden National Park is wheelchair accessible as are the toilets at the Davies Creek National Park campground and picnic area.

    Park features

    Dinden National Park straddles the Lamb Range. Rainforest cloaks the wetter eastern side of the range, where Lake Morris, the main water reservoir for Cairns, is situated. Eucalypt woodland occupies the drier rain-shadowed areas on the western slopes. Between these two contrasting vegetation types runs a strip of a rare forest type known as wet sclerophyll. Davies Creek Falls is a magnificent waterfall that cascades over huge granite boulders and is a feature of Davies Creek National Park.

    A number of birds, such as the eastern yellow robin, the white-cheeked honeyeater and white-naped honeyeater are particularly fond of the wet sclerophyll forest of these two national parks. Endangered northern bettongs are also found in Davies Creek National Park and parts of Dinden National Park. These rat-kangaroos, smaller than a rabbit, are found only in very limited areas of north Queensland and nowhere else in the world. Researchers also recently discovered southern brown bandicoots residing in Davies Creek National Park — a long way from the nearest known population on the Cape York Peninsula.

    The Djabugay Aboriginal people traditionally used this area for ceremonies, painting, and tool making. Examples of their artwork in red and yellow ochre are showcased in Bare Hill Conservation Park.

    Camping and accommodation

    Camping

    In Davies Creek National Park there are several campsites close to Davies Creek. These sites cannot be pre-booked. In Dinden National Park there are six nestled among tall open forest near Davies Creek. These sites must be pre-booked.

    Visitors should bring a gas or fuel stove, fuel and drinking water. Creek water is not suitable for drinking.

    Camping permits are required and fees apply.

    Other accommodation

    There is a range of holiday accommodation in and around Cairns, Mareeba, Kuranda and Atherton. For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Things to do

    Walking

    There are many walking tracks in Davies Creek and Dinden national parks and Bare Hill Conservation Park, ranging from short and easy through to the difficult 12km Kahlpahlim Rock trail.

    Davies Creek National Park

    Davies Creek Falls circuit — 1.1km (20 minutes) Grade: Easy

    Two kilometres beyond the Davies Creek National Park campground is another carpark with a marked trail that leads to a lookout offering views over the 75m Davies Creek Falls. From the lookout, a circuit track runs alongside a particularly tranquil section of the creek lined with paperbark trees, pandanus and banksias. This track leads to a sandy creek-side picnic area, where platypus may be seen, and returns to the carpark up a slope dotted with grass trees.

    Dinden National Park

    Clohesy fig tree circuit walk — 600m (15 minutes) Grade: Easy

    This wheelchair-accessible boardwalk encircles the magnificent Clohsey fig tree. Signs along the walk interpret the local rainforest environment.

    Kahlpahlim Rock walking trail — 12km return (6–7 hours) Grade: Difficult

    At around 1300m above sea level, Kahlpahlim Rock is the highest point on the Lamb Range, providing views over Lake Morris, Cairns and Davies Creek. The trail starts from a carpark on Davies Creek Road. It follows a former logging trail through rainforest with impressive kauri pines before entering casuarina and banksia forest. The sheer size of the rock and the views over the Davies Creek catchment are impressive. This steep but beautiful trail can be undertaken as a return walk along the original Kahlpahlim trail or as a circuit route returning via the ridge trail (located about 1km short of the summit) and Davies Creek Road. The trail is well marked with orange trail markers but should only be undertaken by fit and experienced walkers. The best time to visit is in the drier months between September and November. It is best to start the walk early, in the cool of the day. You will need to carry plenty of water and inform a reliable person of your plans. It is not advisable to start the walk when the top of the mountain is covered in cloud or after wet weather.

    Turtle Rock circuit trail — 8km (3–4 hours) Grade: Difficult

    This trail commences between campsites 3 and 4 in Dinden National Park. The trail follows Davies Creek for a short way before heading up a gradually steepening ridge to the 936m summit. Impressive boulders and spectacular views in all directions are features of this rough, steep trail. The trail continues over the summit and returns via a different ridge, to join up with the ascending trail nearer Davies Creek. It is a difficult trail that should only be undertaken by fit and experienced walkers. The best time to visit is in the drier months between September and November. It is best to start the walk early, in the cool of the day. You will need to carry plenty of water and inform a reliable person of your plans.

    Bare Hill Conservation Park

    Bare Hill (Bunda Bibandji) walking track — 2.8km return (1 hour) Grade: Easy/Medium

    Bare Hill is the European name for the granite mountains at this site but the Djabaguy Aboriginal people call the area Bunda Bibandji. It is situated in a rocky landscape of dry open forest, with cycads and grass trees. The track leads from the Bridle Creek Road carpark up a gradual climb to two Aboriginal rock art galleries. Although faded, human and animal figures in red and yellow ochre can be seen. Help to protect these sites by not touching the artwork and by remaining behind barriers.

    Guided tours and talks

    Various commercial operators run tours to Lake Morris, the Clohesy fig-tree walk, Davies Creek campground and picnic area, Davies Creek Falls circuit walk and Kahlpahlim Rock. These tours include various activities such as bushwalking, scenic drives, mountain biking and spotlighting.

    Djabugay Country Tours offers guided tours of the Bare Hill walking track. Learn about the Aboriginal rock art from the Traditional Owners. To arrange for a guided tour contact:

    Djabugay Country Tours

    For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Picnic and day-use areas

    The Davies Creek National Park campground doubles as a day-use area. This shaded area on granite slabs slopes beside the creek and features tables, wheelchair-accessible toilets and fireplaces. Please remember that collecting firewood is prohibited in national parks.

    Viewing wildlife

    Davies Creek and Dinden national parks offer excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife. See a number of plant and animal species, including some of conservation significance. Be sure to enjoy the colourful and aromatic wildflower displays in spring.

    Other things to do

    Paddle in Davies Creek or relax on the granite boulders worn smooth by flowing water over thousands of years.

    Mountain biking is also a popular activity in these two national parks.

    Things to know before you go

    Essentials to bring

    Opening hours

    These three parks are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, weather permitting.

    Permits and fees

    Driving permits

    A permit from the Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA) is required for driving on Clohesy River Road after the Clohesy fig tree boardwalk. Telephone WTMA on (07) 4052 0555. No fees apply.

    There is no vehicle access past the carpark and locked gates on Bridle Creek Road. Locked gates at the eastern end of Clohesy River Road also prevent vehicle access to the Cairns City Council Water Reserve. To access the Cairns City Council Water Reserve by mountain bike from Clohesy River Road, a permit is required from Cairns City Council. The council can be contacted on (07) 4055 7414.

    Camping permits

    Camping permits are required for both Davies Creek and Dinden national parks' campgrounds and fees apply. A tag with your permit number must be displayed at your campsite.

    Campsites at Davies Creek National Park cannot be pre-booked. On arrival visitors must complete a camping permit and lodge fees at the self-registration shelter near the toilets.

    Campsites at Dinden National Park however must be pre-booked.

    Pets

    Domestic animals are not permitted in Davies Creek National Park, Dinden National Park or Bare Hill Conservation Park.

    Climate and weather

    Davies Creek and Dinden national parks and Bare Hill Conservation Park are pleasant year round, however the drier, cooler months of May to November are the best time to visit. The day-use area in Davies Creek National Park is shady and the creek provides cool rock pools to paddle in or camp beside. Remember that heavy rainfall can occur at any time. After rain, the roads can be boggy and paddling in the creek can be dangerous due to the higher flow of water. For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Fuel and supplies

    Fuel and supplies are available at Cairns, Mareeba, Kuranda and Atherton. For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Staying safe

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

    Looking after the park

    See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

    Park management

    Davies Creek National Park, Dinden National Park and Bare Hill Conservation Park are managed to provide, to the greatest possible extent, for the permanent preservation of the area's natural condition and the protection of the areas cultural resources and values. The Djabugay Aboriginal people and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service co-operatively manage the parks.

    Most of Dinden National Park is within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.

    A draft management plan has been prepared for Davies Creek National Park and a management plan for Dinden National Park will be prepared in the future.

    The Bare Hill (Bunda Bibandji) Conservation Park Management Strategy 2007-17 guides the management of this area.

    Tourism information links

    The Gateway Discovery Centre

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

    Further information

    QPWS Cairns Office
    • 5B Sheridan St, Cairns
    • PO Box 2066, Cairns QLD 4870
    • ph (07) 4046 6600
    • fax (07) 4046 6751
    • email cic@epa.qld.gov.au
    QPWS Atherton Office
    • 83 Main St, Cairns
    • PO Box 975, Atherton QLD 4883
    • ph (07) 4091 1844
    • fax (07) 4091 3281
    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 (for camping bookings)

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    Last updated: 02 October 2007