Cairns is the tropical adventure capital of Australia and the unique place where the Daintree Rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. It is located in Queensland at the top of Australia. It has some of Australia’s best outdoor adventure tours and nature day tours in Cairns including scuba diving reef trips and helicopter rides, as well as iconic destinations like Palm Cove and Fitzroy Island. I have put together the best Hikes, Waterfalls and beaches to visit in Cairns more focused in the North of Cairns.
Palm Cove
Palm Cove is one of the most iconic beaches in Cairns. Located on the northern beaches, approximately 30 minutes north of the CBD is a long stretch of palm-tree-lined sand. There is also a stinger net at the surf club for safe swimming and some world-class restaurants.
Earl Hill Hike
Earl Hill is a 2.9 kilometer return out and back trail located at Trinity Beach north of Cairns. It features a great forest setting and is good for all skill levels. You could also park at Half moon bay and take the bakara trail up to the top of Earl Hill Summit.
Stoney Creek Falls via small waterfall
This is one of those trails which may be hard to navigate as there is limited signage along the way. There is pink ribbons which sometimes put you back on the track. I would recommend downloading the map off all trails before you begin. You park at Stoney Creek carpark and head along the bridge. You will then see a sign saying glacier rock follow this path for a little until you find a clearing in the forest. It is very easy too pass this path so here is where all trails will come handy. From there the track is quite defined and easy to follow where you will cross over the creek. You will also see small falls from here too.
Once you have crossed the creek head up the creek for a little until you see an opening in the forest and pink ribbons. You then follow the trail up the hill, which is quite steep and slippery on the leafes. Once you make it up to the top you will see Stoney Creek station. You then follow the train tracks to the right till you get to the bridge and waterfall.
You can either return via the same way or follow the creek back. To get to the bottom of the creek there is a sketchy path which you will see when you get to the bridge. Take lots of care down the trail. Once at the creek you can swim at the falls before making your way down the rocks.
Kuranda
Kuranda is a small town located 30km from Cairns City. There is a range of walking tracks suited to every age and fitness level. You can get to Kuranda by car, train or Skyrail. The walking trails are easily accessed on foot from the center of town.
Jumrum Creek Jungle walk: Is a 3km circuit allow 1 hour and start from the Visitor Information Centre. The trail follows a short paved path past the fire station on Coondoo Street to the Jumrum Creek Conservation Park. It then winds through rainforest, crosses Jumrum Creek, and then climbs to Barron Falls Road. It then connects to the Jungle Walk, which continues through rainforest to the River Walk beside the Barron River. From the river walk to the train station and back up Coondoo Street to the information Center. If your short on time take the trail along the river from the train station. The trail is an easy 1km return trail along the Barron River.
Barron Falls and Rainforest Canopy Walk
The walk is 1km return from the carpark. The canopy walk connects Barron Falls Road with Barron Falls Lookout via the Barron Falls Railway Station. The boardwalk is suspended high above the forest floor, the boardwalk weaves through the lush rainforest canopy before descending to the Falls Lookout.
Crystal Cascades and Hidden Falls
The walk out to crystal cascades is a 1.5km return easy to follow trail up the falls and back to the carpark. The hidden falls is unsigned but an easy to follow trail. It is located to the left of the carpark. The walk out to the hidden falls is about a 10 minute walk to the bottom of the falls. it is a slight bit of rock scramble to climb to the top of the first waterfall to the bottom of hidden falls.
Turtle Rock Hike
is a circuit walking track located in the Dinden National Park about 61km’s from Cairns. The hike features a spectacular boulder lookout, light rock scrambling and an easy river crossing. The trailhead is accessed from nearby the node 3 and 4 campsites on Davies Creek Road. This road is unsealed but is well-graded. A 4WD is ideal but you’ll make it with a regular 2WD sedan or hatchback.
The hike is a 6.7km circuit allow 2.5hours to complete the hike. The Turtle Rock hike is best completed in an anti-clockwise circuit. This way, you’ll smash the steepest part of the hike early on, leaving a gentle decline back to the carpark. The track is worn and easy to follow. There are also orange arrows on the trees that mark the route.
Davies Creek Falls
Located on the other side of the Lamb Range near the Tablelands town of Mareeba, About 1 hour from Cairns. It is one of the largest waterfalls near cairns in terms of height. What’s great about this waterfall is that it only takes a very short hike to reach the infinity pool with views of the water flowing down huge granite boulders into the Davies Creek National Park gorge. The circuit is 1.1km return. Passing two lookouts which will take you to the top of the Falls. You complete the circuit passing a small creek and sandy swim spot before making is back to the carpark.
Emerald Creek Falls
The circuit to the top and bottom of Emerald Creek Falls is 2.9km and takes 1 hour to complete. It is located in the Dinden West Forest Reserve 70km from Cairns. You can swim at the bottom of the waterfall.
Glacier Rock Hike
The Glacier Rock hike is a short out-and-back trail offering magnificent coastal views from Cairns to the Northern Beaches. The gentle climb up to the 450 m Glacier Rock lookout is a great hike near cairns. Begin at the Stoney creek carpark. From here the trail crosses the bridge and climbs steadily up the Douglas track. Once nearing the top you will notice a picnic bench which offers amazing views. From here continue up the track past the power lines. Before you enter the forest again for 1.2km you will then reach the top. The trail is well signed it is 6.9km 2 hour return hike.
Hartley’s creek Falls
Hartley’s Creek Falls is a cascading waterfall located at the end of a gentle walking track near Wangetti, north of Cairns near Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. For the beginning of the hike head to Hartley’s creek retreat. There isn’t much parking space but we parked just out the front of the retreat. From here you will see a small sign pointing which way is the waterfall trail begins. The trail is 7.5km 2 hour return hike up to the waterfall and back. The trail is a gradual ascent to the bottom of the waterfall. It is an easy trail to follow and well signed along the way. You can also swim at the waterfall for a refreshing dip before the return back to the car.
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