Wooroonooran National Park

Thick with ancient rainforest and veined by crystal-clear rivers, Wooroonooran National Park is one of Queensland's most spectacular wet tropics reserves. Straddling the Palmerston and Russell River catchments, this World Heritage-listed wilderness offers a raw, immersive escape into Australia's prehistoric landscape. Think towering kauri pines, cascading waterfalls, and the sound of tropical birds echoing through lush canopy. Whether you're hiking to a swimming hole or tracing a river's course through the jungle, Wooroonooran delivers that profound sense of being in a truly ancient place.

Highlights & What to See

• Josephine Falls: A series of tiered granite pools and slides, perfect for cooling off after a short walk through the rainforest.
• Boulder Creek & Goldsborough Valley: Remote swimming holes and picnic spots accessible via gravel roads, offering superb birdwatching and solitude.
• Mount Bartle Frere: Queensland's highest peak (1,622 m). Experienced hikers can tackle the challenging summit trail for sweeping views over the coast and rainforest.
• Palmerston Track (Tchupala Falls): A short, wheelchair-accessible boardwalk leading to a lookout over the cascading Tchupala Falls and the Palmerston River gorge.
• Crater Lakes National Park (Lake Eacham & Lake Barrine): Two volcanic crater lakes within the park, offering swimming, canoeing, and walking trails through towering rainforest.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors spend a full day exploring a single area, such as the Josephine Falls–Boulder Creek loop. For a more thorough experience, dedicate two days: day one to the southern section (Josephine Falls, Goldsborough Valley) and day two to the northern section (Palmerston Track, Crater Lakes). Hikers tackling Mount Bartle Frere should allow a full day (8–10 hours) for the climb alone. The park is easily combined with a stay in nearby Innisfail or the Atherton Tablelands.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Innisfail: A charming sugar-town with art deco architecture and excellent Asian-fusion eateries, just 30 minutes away.
• Atherton Tablelands: Rolling green hills, waterfalls, and small villages offering farm gates, markets, and the famous Curtain Fig Tree.
• Mamu Tropical Skywalk: A canopy walkway in the adjacent Wooroonooran section near Paronella Park, offering treetop views of the rainforest.
• Paronella Park: A whimsical Spanish-style castle set in a lush tropical garden with waterfalls and a history steeped in romance.
• Mission Beach: A laid-back coastal town with access to the Great Barrier Reef and white-sand beaches, about an hour east.

Please check official sources for current details.