Barron Gorge National Park extends from the coastal lowlands to the elevated regions of the Atherton Tableland and features rugged mountain scenery, tropical rainforests, diverse wildlife and a fascinating history. The park lies within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
The Barron River dominates the park. Rising from the rainforests of Mount Hypipamee National Park, the river winds 60 km across the Atherton Tableland through one of Australia's highest rainforest belts. The river then enters the deeply-incised Barron Gorge, which forms a rugged, twisting trough between the Macalister and Lamb ranges. The river falls 250 m onto the narrow coastal lowlands and flows to the Coral Sea, just north of the Cairns Airport. During the wetter months, floodwaters regularly create a spectacular sight at Barron Falls. During the dry season, the view is less dramatic.
The park is part of the traditional lands of the Djabugandji Bama (local Aboriginal people) who maintain a close spiritual connection with this country. Before Europeans arrived, Bama traversed this country, developing trails linking the coast to the uplands. These historic trails now form sections of a walking track network.
From Cairns, travel north along the Captain Cook Highway. Turn onto the Kennedy Highway, which winds up the coastal mountain range, and take the turn-off to Kuranda. Alternatively take the scenic railway that runs from Cairns to Kuranda or the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway from Smithfield, north of Cairns.
From Kuranda, drive 3.5 km along Barron Falls Road, following the signposts to the Barron Falls car park. This is the access to the Barron Falls lookout, which is also a stop on the scenic railway line. Wrights lookout (and the start of the Surprise Creek walk) is a further 1.4 km along the road from the car park.
The upper section of the park can also be accessed from Speewah Conservation Park, a starting point for long-distance walks. From Kuranda, travel a further 6.5 km along the Kennedy Highway, turn left into Speewah Road and follow the signs to Speewah Conservation Park for 5.2 km.
From Cairns, drive 16 km north along the Captain Cook Highway and turn left onto Cairns Western Arterial (Kamerunga Road) at the roundabout.
To access Lake Placid and the lower Barron Gorge, drive 2.5 km then turn right onto Lake Placid Road. Continue 1.5 km to Lake Placid or take the Barron Gorge Road turn-off and drive a further 3 km into the gorge. This scenic road ends at the bridge to the Barron Gorge Hydro-Power Station.
To access Stoney Creek, from the roundabout on the Captain Cook Highway drive 3.5 km along the Cairns Western Arterial (Kamerunga Road) and turn right onto Stoney Creek Road. The Smith track trailhead is on the left, 1 km from the turn-off. Follow the road for 2.1 km through the residential area to the car park and the start of the Garndal Garndal Stoney Creek walk and the Douglas track trailhead.
Din Din Barron Falls boardwalk, lookouts and toilets are suitable for wheelchair access with assistance. The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway has wheelchair-accessible facilities.
Camping is not permitted in Barron Gorge National Park. A camping area is provided in Speewah Conservation Park adjacent to the park's western boundary.
There is a range of holiday accommodation in and around Kuranda, Mareeba and Cairns. For more information see the tourism information links.
Short walks, upper section
Din Din Barron Falls lookout (Grade: easy)
Distance: 1.2 km return
Time: Allow about 40 mins walking time
Details: An elevated, wheelchair-accessible (with assistance) boardwalk suspended high above the forest floor winds through lush, rainforest canopy to the Barron Falls lookouts and Barron Falls railway platform. Enjoy views over the gorge and spectacular Barron Falls. Watch the gondolas on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway glide above the far-side of the gorge and, twice each day, watch the Kuranda Scenic Railway tourist train pull into the platform below. Toilets are located in the car park.
Wrights lookout (Grade: easy)
Distance: 3 km return
Time: Allow about 1 hr walking time
Details: From the Barron Falls car park, walk along Wrights lookout road to Wrights lookout, which offers wide-ranging vistas over Barron Gorge, towards the city of Cairns and the coast. Return along the same track.
Surprise Creek walk (Grade: moderate)
Distance: 2.8 km return
Time: Allow about 1.5 hrs walking time
Details: From Wrights lookout, this walk follows the first section of the McDonalds track, part of the long-distance walking track network. The walk follows a service road with moderate grades and a rough slippery surface. Rainforest gives way to open woodland before the track descends steeply to Surprise Creek. Upstream from the bridge there are deep, clear pools and tumbling rapids. The walk returns along the same track.
Short walks, lower section
Stoney Creek Garndal Garndal track (Grade: easy)
Distance: 2 km return
Time: Allow about 30 mins walking time
Details: From the car park at the end of Stoney Creek Road (the Stoney Creek trailhead), this rough track climbs up through Stoney Creek gorge, beside Stoney Creek, to the causeway at the old weir. The track is unformed with a rough, uneven surface of rocks and twisted tree roots. The walk passes clear limpid pools and small waterfalls before ending on a large boulder overlooking the creek, just downstream of the weir. Take care near the weir access. Return along the same track.
Long distance walks
For more adventurous and well-prepared walkers, a network of walking tracks provides long distance walksbetween the three main trailheads (Kamerunga, Kuranda and Speewah) within the park.
Picnic and day-use areas: Picnic tables are provided at Lake Placid in the lower section and at Wrights lookout in the upper section of the park.
Commercial operators provide rafting experiences on the Barron River. Rafting is a low-impact, environmentally-friendly activity that allows visitors to experience the less accessible areas of the lower gorge.
Commercial operators provide scenic boat tours on the Barron River in the upper section of the park. Private canoeing and kayaking is also an enjoyable way to experience the Barron River within the park.
Fishing is not permitted in Barron Gorge National Park.
The park is a natural corridor for wildlife, linking the northern and southern sections of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. The diverse landscape and vegetation types support a rich variety of animals, including possums, tree-kangaroos, flying-foxes and spotted-tailed quolls. There is an abundance of brightly-coloured birds and butterflies that contrast with the lush, green rainforest, including the brilliant-blue Ulysses butterfly. Lucky visitors may even see the endangered southern cassowary, a large, flightless bird standing up to 2 m tall. Reptiles, fish, and frogs are also plentiful.
Barron Gorge Hydro-Power Station was Australia's first underground power station, built in 1935 to harness the immense power of water flowing over Barron Falls. Construction of Tinaroo Dam, a weir at Kuranda and a larger, more recent hydro-electric power station, have significantly reduced the water volume over the falls. To reach the station, walk or drive 3 km along the scenic Barron Gorge Road from Lake Placid to the picnic area and cross the bridge to the Barron Gorge Hydro-Power Station Visitor Centre. Stroll along the bank beside the lake actually part of the Barron River for scenic views of the steep, forested slopes of the lower Barron Gorge and the white-water rapids of the Barron River. Enjoy a picnic in the shade. Be crocwise estuarine crocodiles are found in the lower Barron River, including Lake Placid.
The 34 km Kuranda Scenic Railway runs through the park and is considered a remarkable engineering feat. Built between 1882 and 1891, the railway has 15 hand-made tunnels and around 40 bridges.
This tourist cableway transports visitors over the park s rainforest canopy, travelling 7.5 km from the lower section of the park at Caravonica to the upper section of the park at Kuranda on the Atherton Tableland. For more information see the tourism information links. Djabugay Aboriginal guides offer walking tours of the rainforest as part of the Skyrail experience, sharing their knowledge about Barron Gorge National Park.
