Wallaman Falls to Pack Trail campsite
- Distance: 23.3km
- Time: 1 day
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On your first day of walking, you will follow an old forestry track through a range of landscapes including she-oak dominated country, open forest and rainforest.
From the Wet Tropics Great Walk information shelter, wander down the road and across the Stony Creek Bridge to the start of the walk.
Small gullies teeming with ferns and palms are scattered throughout the forest. If you look carefully, you might catch a glimpse of the brilliant blue Ulysses butterfly or forest kingfisher as they seek sanctuary from the heat.
About 5km along the track you will come to a large clearing. This was once a forestry quarry. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is rehabilitating the area. In time, this scar on the landscape will disappear.
The remains of an old forestry camp can be seen a further 7.2km down the track. For about 10 years this camp was home to the road gangs, forestry officers and timber cutters who worked here. Just past the forestry camp is Garrawalt Creek, a perfect spot to stop for lunch. Spend a moment peering into the rock pools and you could be rewarded with a glimpse of a platypus or hear the plop of a water dragon seeking refuge in the stream.
After lunch, you will cross three more creeks. Flagstone Creek is the last creek crossing for nearly 14km, so fill up your water containers. Continue on a further 4.4km to the Pack Trail campsite, your home for the night.
Pack Trail campsite to Yamanie turnoff
- Distance: 4.7km
- Time: 3 to 4hrs
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After a peaceful night sleeping under the stars the walk this morning will take you back in time.
Relive the past by walking part of the Dalrymple Track forged in the 1860s by George Dalrymple and his team. The track provided an essential route for bullock teams hauling supplies from the Port of Cardwell to the frontier homesteads.
Be prepared for a steep decent on unstable surfaces. Part way down the steep hill, there is a break in the canopy. Enjoy the sensational views across the Herbert River Valley.
At the base of the hill you will pass through a big scrubby gully. Not far past this point, those doing the Buujan Quiinbiira walk will need to keep watch for the sign-posted turnoff to the Yamanie Section pick-up.
Yamanie turnoff to Stony Creek campsite
- Distance: 9.2km
- Time: 2.5 to 3.5hrs
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Those doing the Jagany and Gugigugi walks continue on through the open forest towards Stony Creek.
About 1.8km along the track, keep watch for a grove of cycads. These plants are ancient and were part of the landscape when dinosaurs roamed the land. They were the dominant form of vegetation about 193 to 136 million years ago, and have changed very little since then.
Garrawalt Creek is only another 3km away. This is a great place to stop for lunch or just for a rest under a shady tree. The creeks along this part of the walk run into the Herbert River which is not far from the track. Crocodiles can be found in the Herbert River. Be wary! You are now in croc country.
Estuarine or saltwater crocodiles are an important part of north Queensland’s wetlands, freshwater and marine areas. They are the largest predator in these habitats and help to maintain the overall health and balance of these ecosystems. They live mainly in the tidal reaches of rivers, as well as in fresh water lagoons, swamps and waterways — up to hundreds of kilometres from the sea. Crocodiles are most active at night. Remember to be croc wise in croc country.
Continue on for another 4.4km till you reach the Stony Creek campsite. Set up camp, and enjoy a well-earned rest for the night.
Stony Creek campsite to Henrietta gate
- Distance: 19.6km
- Time: 1 day
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Fill your water bottles before leaving the campsite. Water is not available for nearly 13km.
As you wander the track, you will see that some areas are not the pristine natural environments you expect to find in a national park. Despite the presence of weeds and feral animals, this area is special.
Previously, most of the area was used for grazing. It was purchased by the Queensland Government in 1994, and is now part of Girringun National Park. The area is protected habitat for the endangered mahogany glider and work is underway to control the spread of weeds and remove feral animals.
Henrietta Creek is the ideal spot to stop for lunch and to fill your water bottles before tackling the last section of the track. Another 6km and you will pass lemon tree gully, named for it’s lemon tree that still bears fruit.
Only 5.2km of walking remains until you reach the Henrietta gate and your pick-up point.
Yamanie turnoff to Yamanie Section pick-up
- Distance: 9.5km
- Time: 2.5 to 3.5hrs
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Enjoy a pleasant walk through open forest, along the high banks of the Herbert River. Keep your eyes and ears open for resident wildlife. Listen for the noisy chatter of scaly-breasted lorikeets or the deep, gruff call of a wompoo fruit-dove.
Scattered throughout the open forest are small gullies filled with riparian rainforest including large fig trees. The transformation in the vegetation is sudden, affected by changes in soil quality and moisture levels.
Spend a moment peering into the river and be rewarded with a glimpse of a platypus. Freshwater turtles can be seen basking on logs or peeking through the surface of the water. The river is also home to many different fish such as barramundi and mangrove jack.
In a big, long, deep waterhole in the Herbert River, you will find another of the locals - a large estuarine crocodile took up residence years ago. Remember to be croc wise in croc country.
