Girringun National Park

Deep in the heart of the Queensland wet tropics, Girringun National Park is a World Heritage-listed wonderland of ancient rainforests, tumbling waterfalls, and dramatic gorges. This is a place where the forest floor is carpeted in ferns and the air hums with the sound of cascading water. For adventurous travellers with a 4WD, it offers some of the most rewarding wilderness experiences in the state, from swimming at pristine plunge pools to hiking through lush, bird-filled valleys.

Highlights & What to See

• Wallaman Falls: Australia's tallest single-drop waterfall (268 m). The lookout offers a vertigo-inducing view, and the Stony Creek track leads to a refreshing plunge pool at the base.
• Broadwater Campground & Swimming Hole: A serene spot on the banks of the Herbert River, perfect for a cool dip and a picnic. The surrounding forest is alive with butterflies and birdlife.
• Blencoe Falls: A spectacular two-tiered cascade that plunges 90 m into a deep gorge. Access is via a rougher 4WD track, but the payoff is a secluded, breathtaking view.
• Jungle Walking: The park's network of walking trails, like the 1.2 km Wallaman Falls circuit, weaves through dense, ancient rainforest where you can spot king ferns, strangler figs, and perhaps a cassowary.
• Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for the elusive platypus in the Herbert River, as well as musky rat-kangaroos and a dazzling array of birds including the Victoria's riflebird.

Suggested Time to Spend

To truly soak up the park's grandeur, plan for a full day or even an overnight stay. A day trip from Cardwell or Ingham allows you to visit Wallaman Falls and a swimming spot, but to explore Blencoe Falls and the deeper gorges, an overnight camp at Broadwater is ideal. The park's unsealed roads are slow going, so factor in extra drive time. Early morning or late afternoon are the best times for wildlife spotting and photography.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Cardwell: A charming coastal town with a beautiful foreshore, the Cardwell Spa Pool, and access to Hinchinbrook Island.
• Ingham: A sugarcane town with a strong Italian heritage, known for its bakeries and the Tyto Wetlands bird hide.
• Hinchinbrook Island National Park: A wild, mountainous island with the famous Thorsborne Trail, accessible by ferry from Cardwell.
• Paluma Range National Park: Home to the crystal-clear swimming holes of Little Crystal Creek and the historic village of Paluma.
• Great Basalt Wall National Park: A unique landscape of volcanic rock formations and dry rainforest, a short drive west.

Please check official sources for current details.