Snapshot
| Where | Bellenden Ker Range, Far North Queensland — Josephine Falls and the Bartle Frere trailhead 75km (about 1 hour's drive) south of Cairns, the nearest airport · Goldsborough Valley 46km south-west of Cairns · Palmerston (Doongan) section 33km west of Innisfail |
|---|---|
| Getting there | Sealed Bruce Highway to most trailheads — Josephine Falls is reached by turning right 2km south of Miriwinni and driving 8km, conventional vehicles fine · Goldsborough Valley's last 5km is unsealed, narrow and winding · K-Tree Road to South Johnstone camping area is high-clearance 4WD only · Wet-season closures affect K-Tree Road, the Misty Mountains tracks and the Bartle Frere access road, and the Goldsborough Valley road may close between November and April or after heavy rain |
| Best time | May–October, the dry season — reduced rainfall and better trail conditions for walking and waterfall viewing |
| Worst time | December–April — heavy rain drives fast, rapidly rising water through the creeks, the Goldfield Trail may close, and the Josephine Falls walks may close October–May |
| Time needed | 2–3 days to cover the park's main sections; the Bartle Frere summit needs 2 days on its own |
| Cost | No park entry fee is listed; camping $7.75 per person per night or $31.00 per family per night (one or two adults plus children under 18, up to 8 people; under 5s camp free) — book and pay before arriving |
| Facilities | Campgrounds with toilets, picnic tables and (in some sections) coin barbecues; no fuel or supplies inside the park — Babinda, Gordonvale, Innisfail, Cairns and the Atherton Tableland towns are the refuelling points; mobile coverage unreliable, especially on the Goldfield Trail |
| Best for | Experienced bushwalkers, self-drive waterfall campers and Cairns-based travellers after a serious day walk |
| Difficulty |
4 of 5 — Demanding
The short walks are easy, but the headline walks are Grade 5 or Grade 4 — the Bartle Frere trail is unformed, very steep and unmarked in places, and the Goldfield Trail is a full day of rough walking with creek crossings. |
Driving there? Car hire and what to check →
Wooroonooran National Park covers most of the Bellenden Ker Range between Cairns and Innisfail, lying within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area proclaimed in 1988. It holds Queensland's highest peak, Mount Bartle Frere, which rises to 1,611m at the summit from a trailhead at 100m altitude, and it is country with deep custodians — the Mamu Aboriginal people are the Traditional Owners of the Palmerston (Doongan) section and ask that visitors walk respectfully, while the Bartle Frere area is the country of the Noongyanbudda Ngadjon people, who maintain close spiritual connections with the mountain they know as Chooreechillum. More than 500 rainforest tree species grow on the fertile basalt soils of the Palmerston section alone.
What surprises people is how spread out it is: five separate access points, from Walshs Pyramid 26km south of Cairns to Josephine Falls 75km south, linked by nothing but the Bruce Highway and your own planning.
Go if…
- You want a genuine multi-day Australian summit walk — the Bartle Frere trail is Grade 5, 15km one way over two days
- You're based in Cairns and want serious rainforest walking within about an hour's drive
- You like mixing an easy waterfall swim with a hard day on the same trip
- You're self-sufficient: pre-booked camping, your own water plan and a vehicle that handles unsealed access
Skip it if…
- You want formed, graded paths — most of the headline tracks are rough, steep and, on Bartle Frere, unformed
- You're travelling December to April and can't be flexible — floods close the Goldfield Trail and can shut the access roads
- You need reliable phone coverage, fuel or shops inside the park — there are none
- You're not willing to book and pay for camping before arrival; there is no self-registration at any campground
What to expect
Reviewed
Wooroonooran is a park of separate doorways rather than one entrance station, and the driving matters. Walshs Pyramid sits 26km south of Cairns near Gordonvale; Goldsborough Valley is 46km south-west of Cairns; Josephine Falls and the Bartle Frere trailhead are 75km south of Cairns, reached by turning right off the Bruce Highway 2km south of Miriwinni and driving the last 8km; and the Palmerston (Doongan) section begins 33km west of Innisfail, where the Palmerston Highway leaves the Bruce Highway 5km north of town. Most of that is sealed and fine in a conventional vehicle, but Goldsborough Valley's last 5km is unsealed, narrow and winding, and K-Tree Road to the South Johnstone camping area is high-clearance 4WD only. The wet season rearranges the map: K-Tree Road, the Misty Mountains tracks and the Bartle Frere access road all carry annual wet-season closures, and both ends of the Goldfield Trail can flood, so check the QPWS park alerts before you leave town.
The reward is the forest itself. The Josephine Falls walking track passes through complex mesophyll vine forest, the most complex rainforest type in Australia, and cold water coming off the mountain supports plants that normally grow much higher — Atherton palms and potato ferns with 3m fronds. Hope's cycad, possibly the world's tallest cycad, grows here up to 20m tall with cones to 70cm. The Palmerston (Doongan) section, on fertile basalt soils, carries more than 500 rainforest tree species including black bean, milky pine, water gum and red tulip oak. Watch for musky rat-kangaroos foraging for fallen fruit in the early morning and late afternoon, double-eyed fig-parrots in the canopy, Ulysses butterflies and lace monitors on the creek banks.
Track surfaces are the other thing to plan for. The Josephine Falls walking track is formed — concrete and steps — but it stays wet and mossy in a rainforest that keeps its own microclimate; the Goldfield Trail is a different animal, 19km one way of rougher walking that crosses creeks and climbs a low saddle between Bartle Frere and Bellenden Ker over about 7–9 hours of walking. The Bartle Frere trail is unformed and very steep, with rock scrambling in places and an average gradient of 1 in 5 from 100m altitude to the 1,611m summit; Queensland Parks recommends experienced, extremely fit walkers travelling in groups. At Windin Falls the red clay turns to grease when wet and the last 50m to the falls is very steep. Wear ankle-supporting footwear, expect mud after rain, and treat any creek crossing as something to turn back from rather than push through.
Water is the hazard that catches people out. Queensland Parks warns that heavy rain in the upper catchments can push fast-flowing, rapidly rising water through the park's creeks even when it is sunny where you stand, so supervise children closely around waterways and always be Crocwise. Swimming is restricted to designated areas and subject to seasonal closures — the Josephine Falls area walks may close between October and May, and the Goldfield Trail may close between December and April. Babinda Boulders — the Goldfield Trail's northern trailhead, 7km from Babinda — is a separate, council-managed reserve outside the national park, with its own rules and its own hazards, so swim only in the signed areas there too.
Where to stay
People base themselves in Babinda or Gordonvale for the southern walks, in Innisfail for the Palmerston section, or in Cairns itself; the park campgrounds are the only accommodation inside the park.
When bookings open: Queensland camping areas book online up to 12 months ahead, and the window rolls forward daily, so there is no single opening day; QPWS advises booking at least six weeks ahead for popular spots. Official booking page. Checked 9 October 2026.
| Stay | Guest rating | Best for | Distance | Style | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henrietta Creek camping area (QPWS) | Not rated | Nandroya Falls, Tchupala Falls and the Palmerston rainforest walks | Palmerston (Doongan) section, 33km west of Innisfail | Grassy rainforest sites beside the creek next to the Palmerston Highway · e-permit booking required | Book now |
| Goldsborough Valley camping area (QPWS) | Not rated | Mulgrave River camping and the Goldfield Trail | 46km south-west of Cairns; last 5km unsealed | Shaded riverbank sites with fire rings and toilet facilities · e-permit booking required | Book now |
| Junction camping area (QPWS, Bartle Frere trail) | Not rated | Starting the Bartle Frere trail from the west | Western access to the Bartle Frere trail, 35km south-east of Atherton | Tent-only trail camping, no facilities · maximum 8 people per night per camping area, maximum group size 4 | Book now |
| Misty Mountains Rainforest Retreat | Not rated | A comfortable base between Babinda and the Bartle Frere trail | Bellenden Ker, between Babinda and the Josephine Falls turn-off | Self-contained retreat with pool, parking and kitchens in some rooms | Check rates |
| FNQ Blooms Tropical Flower Farm Lodge | Not rated | Groups and families wanting a house near the Josephine Falls road | Bartle Frere, close to the park's southern access | Two-bedroom cottage lodging with air-conditioning and wifi | Check rates |
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What to do here
7 walks & sights
Josephine Falls walking track and swimming area
An easy formed walk from the day-use area 75km south of Cairns to the tiered cascades, through complex mesophyll vine forest with Atherton palms and potato ferns along the creek. Swimming is only allowed in designated areas and the Josephine Falls area walks may close between October and May for flooding, pest control or extreme weather — check QPWS alerts before driving out.
Mount Bartle Frere trail
Queensland's highest peak at 1,611m, climbed from 100m altitude at an average gradient of 1 in 5. The track is unformed and very steep with rock scrambling in places — Queensland Parks restricts it to experienced, extremely fit bushwalkers in groups. Four camping areas (Junction, Western Summit, Eastern Summit, Big Rock) sit along the trail, all pre-booked, tent-only and without facilities; there is no guaranteed water. The Josephine Falls to Broken Nose alternative is 10km return, about 8 hours, Grade 5.
Goldfield Trail
Links the Goldsborough Valley day-use and camping areas with the Boulders Scenic Reserve, 7km from Babinda, crossing creeks and climbing a low saddle between Bartle Frere and Bellenden Ker. The two ends are over 60km apart by road with no public transport between them, and the trail may close between December and April. Mobile coverage is unreliable — carry a satellite phone or PLB.
Walshs Pyramid
A steep, exposed climb to a 922m free-standing pyramid 26km south of Cairns near Gordonvale. The trailhead is a gravel road off Moss Road, about 800m south of the Mulgrave River bridge, and the track is the same path up and down. Start early — the upper pyramid has little shade and the descent is hard on tired knees.
Babinda Boulders
The Goldfield Trail's northern trailhead in a separate, council-managed reserve 7km from Babinda, where granite boulders have sculpted pools and a swimming hole in rainforest. It has picnic facilities and a sealed approach road, but the water carries the same flood risk as the rest of the park, so swim only in the signed areas and never after heavy rain.
Nandroya Falls circuit and Tchupala Falls (Palmerston)
Two of the best rainforest walks in the Palmerston (Doongan) section, 33km west of Innisfail. The Nandroya Falls circuit starts on the western side of Henrietta Creek camping area, crosses the footbridge and reaches the falls after 1.7km on the left branch; Tchupala Falls is a short, steep-sided track about 2km uphill from Crawfords lookout.
Mamu Tropical Skywalk (Palmerston)
A privately run canopy walk 27km along the Palmerston Highway from the highway turn-off, with a 350m elevated walkway about 15m above the forest floor and a 37m observation tower over the North Johnstone River gorge. Over 1.2km of walking tracks link back to the car park, and Crawfords lookout is 1km further along the highway.
Wooroonooran itineraries: 1, 2 or 3 days
3 plans
One day: Josephine Falls and the Palmerston falls
- Morning. Josephine Falls walking track, 75km south of Cairns — 1.2km return, about 30 minutes, Grade 2, on formed track through mesophyll vine forest to the tiered falls. Swim only in the designated areas and check the QPWS alerts page first, since the Josephine Falls area walks may close between October and May.
- Midday. Drive the Palmerston Highway, which leaves the Bruce Highway 5km north of Innisfail (83km south of Cairns). About 2km uphill from Crawfords lookout, the Tchupala Falls track runs 1.2km return, about 40 minutes, Grade 2.
- Afternoon. The Nandroya Falls circuit, 6km return, about 3 hours, Grade 3, starting from the western side of Henrietta Creek camping area and crossing the footbridge — the left branch reaches the falls after 1.7km.
About 8km of walking in one day and no nights. Base yourself in Babinda or Gordonvale, with Cairns an easy run back up the highway, and fuel in Babinda, Gordonvale, Innisfail or Cairns, because there are no fuel outlets in the park.
Two days: add Walshs Pyramid and camp on the Mulgrave
- Day 1. Josephine Falls walking track (1.2km return, about 30 minutes, Grade 2) in the morning, then the Palmerston Highway falls — Tchupala Falls (1.2km return, about 40 minutes) and the Nandroya Falls circuit (6km return, about 3 hours, Grade 3) from Henrietta Creek camping area.
- Day 2, early. Walshs Pyramid, 26km south of Cairns near Gordonvale — 6km return, 5–6 hours, Grade 5, to a 922m peak. Start at first light; it is a steep, exposed climb and there is no shade on the upper pyramid.
- Day 2, late afternoon. Drive to Goldsborough Valley, 46km south-west of Cairns, and camp on the banks of the Mulgrave River. The last 5km is unsealed, narrow and winding, so take it slowly in a conventional vehicle.
About 8km of walking on Day 1 and the 6km Walshs Pyramid return — about 14km in total, and one night at Goldsborough Valley. Book and pay for camping before you arrive through the Queensland National Parks Booking Service, and fuel in Babinda, Gordonvale, Innisfail or Cairns, because there are no fuel outlets in the park.
Three days: the Goldfield Trail
- Day 1. As the one-day plan: Josephine Falls walking track, then Tchupala Falls and the Nandroya Falls circuit off the Palmerston Highway.
- Day 2. Walshs Pyramid (6km return, 5–6 hours, Grade 5) early, then camp at Goldsborough Valley on the Mulgrave River, 46km south-west of Cairns.
- Day 3. The Goldfield Trail, 19km one way, about 7–9 hours of walking, Grade 4, climbing over a low saddle between Bartle Frere and Bellenden Ker to the Boulders Scenic Reserve, 7km from Babinda. The two trailheads are over 60km apart by road with no public transport between them, so walk out and back as far as you like, or pre-arrange a car shuffle before you start.
About 33km of walking across three days and two nights if you walk the Goldfield Trail's full 19km. Book and pay for camping before you arrive through the Queensland National Parks Booking Service, and fuel in Babinda, Gordonvale, Innisfail or Cairns, because there are no fuel outlets in the park. The Bartle Frere trail is a separate two-day Grade 5 expedition with its own pre-booked trail camping areas, so it is not part of this plan.
Experiences worth booking
Behana Adventure Tour
Check availability →
From Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Wildlife & Waterfalls
Check availability →Tours run by independent operators and booked on Viator. Booking links go to Viator, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are "from" figures in AUD, checked 2026-11-09.
Suggested gear for Wooroonooran
17 items
- Water bottles or a hydration bladder Carry at least 2 litres per person on the walks.
- Water treatment tablets or a filter Treat creek and camping-area water before drinking.
- Sun hat, sunscreen (SPF 50+) and sunglasses
- Sturdy, broken-in walking shoes or boots
- Day pack (20–30 L)
- First aid kit, including blister care
- Insect repellent
- Head torch with spare batteries
- Lightweight rain jacket
- Personal locator beacon Mobile coverage is unreliable in remote parks.
- Creek-crossing shoes or sturdy sandals The Goldfield Trail crosses creeks, and the Gooligans picnic area to Henrietta Creek walk requires wading across Henrietta Creek.
- A warm mid-layer and waterproof shell for the summit Mountains here run much cooler than the coast with quickly variable weather, and Bartle Frere tops out at 1,611m.
- A satellite phone Queensland Parks warns that mobile coverage on the Goldfield Trail is unreliable and names satellite phones and PLBs as the most effective equipment.
- Offline topographic maps (paper or downloaded) The Bartle Frere trail is unformed and rough tracks here carry few directional signs, with no signal to fall back on.
- A larger water carry than you think you need The only water near the Bartle Frere trail camps is a small creek at Western Summit with no guaranteed flow, and the wet season runs 23–32°C.
- Tent and a fully self-sufficient camping kit The four Bartle Frere trail camping areas are tent-only, with no toilets, showers, barbecues or picnic tables.
- Spare tyre, tyre repair kit and a full tank Goldsborough Valley's last 5km is unsealed and winding, K-Tree Road is high-clearance 4WD only, and there is no fuel in the park.
How this compares
Wooroonooran vs Girringun (Wallaman Falls)
Wallaman Falls, in the ranges south-west of Ingham, is one very big single-drop waterfall reached by a short lookout walk, with harder treks beyond it. It suits a traveller who wants a dramatic waterfall without committing two days to a summit. Choose Wallaman Falls for a single-drop waterfall and shorter walks; choose Wooroonooran for a spread of day walks and a genuine multi-day summit.
- Difficulty
- 2 of 5 — Moderate
- Access
- Sealed road access south-west of Ingham; day walks from the falls lookout area
- Best for
- Waterfall watchers · short walks · travellers between Townsville and Cairns
Wooroonooran vs Mount Hypipamee
Mount Hypipamee, on the Atherton Tableland, pairs a volcanic crater lake with short formed rainforest walks and easy roadside access. It is the comfortable half-day option for the same Wet Tropics forest. Choose Mount Hypipamee for accessible crater-lake scenery; choose Wooroonooran for full-day and multi-day walking with real elevation gain.
- Difficulty
- 1 of 5 — Easy
- Access
- Sealed road on the Atherton Tableland; short formed walks from the car park
- Best for
- Families · short walks · tableland touring
Wooroonooran vs Hinchinbrook Island National Park
Hinchinbrook Island, off Cardwell, is a multi-day coastal trek with beach camping and a strictly limited number of walkers on track at once. It trades rainforest summits for island scenery and tidal headlands. Choose Hinchinbrook for coastal trekking and beach camps; choose Wooroonooran for rainforest summits and easier day-walk options.
- Difficulty
- 3 of 5 — Challenging
- Access
- Boat transfer from Cardwell; walker numbers are capped and permits are required
- Best for
- Multi-day trekkers · beach camping · self-sufficient groups
Before you go
- No park entry fee is listed, but every campground is a pre-booked e-permit site — book and pay through the Queensland National Parks Booking Service before you arrive (13 QGOV, or over the counter)
- Camping is $7.75 per person per night or $31.00 per family per night — one or two adults plus children under 18, up to 8 people total; children under 5 camp free
- Display your booking number tag at your campsite: self-registration is not available and camping is only permitted in the booked area or site
- Book at least 6 weeks ahead for public and school holidays; Queensland camping bookings open on a 12-month horizon
- Fuel and supplies in Babinda, Gordonvale, Innisfail, Cairns and the Atherton Tableland towns — there are no fuel outlets inside the park
- Mobile coverage is unreliable, especially on the Goldfield Trail — Queensland Parks names satellite phones and PLBs as the most effective communication equipment, and recommends carrying at least one form of it
- Check the QPWS park alerts page before leaving town: K-Tree Road, the Misty Mountains tracks and the Bartle Frere access road carry annual wet-season closures, and the Josephine Falls and Goldfield Trail walks may close in the wetter months
- Fire rules vary by section — the park page lists campfires allowed under conditions while the Palmerston (Doongan) section lists no campfires, so confirm the rule for your specific campground
When to go
seasons & the hard months
May to October is the dry season and the best window for the whole park: less rain, firmer tracks and more reliable access to the Josephine Falls and Goldsborough Valley sections. It is also the sensible time for the two-day Bartle Frere trail and the exposed climb of Walshs Pyramid, which has little shade on the upper pyramid, so start at first light whatever the month.
December to April is the wet season. Heavy rain in the upper catchments sends fast, rapidly rising water through the park's creeks, the Goldfield Trail may close, and K-Tree Road, the Misty Mountains tracks and the Bartle Frere access road carry annual wet-season closures. The Josephine Falls area walks may close anywhere from October to May, so check the QPWS alerts page before you drive out in any month.
Questions
5 answers
The park is spread along the Bruce Highway south of the city: Walshs Pyramid is 26km south of Cairns, Goldsborough Valley 46km south-west, and Josephine Falls 75km south, about an hour's drive. The Palmerston Highway turn-off is 83km south of Cairns.
It is Grade 5, 15km one way over two days, climbing from 100m to 1,611m at an average gradient of 1 in 5. The track is unformed and very steep with rock scrambling in places, and Queensland Parks restricts it to experienced, extremely fit bushwalkers in groups.
Swimming is allowed only in designated areas, and the Josephine Falls area walks may close between October and May for flooding, pest control or extreme weather. Check the QPWS alerts page before you go and never swim after heavy rain.
No park entry fee is listed. Camping is $7.75 per person per night or $31.00 per family per night, with under 5s free, and every campground must be booked and paid for before you arrive through the Queensland National Parks Booking Service.
No. There are no fuel outlets or shops in the park, so fill up in Babinda, Gordonvale, Innisfail or Cairns. Mobile coverage is unreliable, especially on the Goldfield Trail, and Queensland Parks recommends carrying a satellite phone or PLB.
Nearby & next
Official information
Always check current alerts before you travel.