About Blencoe Falls

• Getting there and getting around
• Park features
• Camping and accommodation
• Things to do
• Things to know before you go
• Staying safe
• Looking after the park
• Park management
• Tourism information links
• Further information

Getting there and getting around

• Blencoe Falls map (PDF, 95K)* 

With the Kirrama Range Road closed, access to Blencoe Falls is via Mount Garnet. Access should only be attempted in dry conditions and four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended. Access roads are not suitable for caravans.

Blencoe Falls is 96 kilometres south-east of Mount Garnet. From Mount Garnet travel four kilometres west along the Kennedy Highway and turn left onto Gunnawarra Road. About 52 kilometres along Gunnawarra Road turn left onto the Kirrama–Cashmere Road and travel 40 kilometres to Blencoe Falls. The two-hour drive passes through several cattle stations. Flooding may occur during the wet season (December to April).

Contact the RACQ to enquire about local road conditions.

Check with the Bureau of Meteorology for updated weather reports.

Wheelchair accessibility

There are no wheelchair-accessible tracks or facilities at Blencoe Falls, Girringun National Park.

Park features

Blencoe Falls, Girringun National Park boasts spectacular scenery and an array of plant and animal life. Blencoe Falls plunges 90 metres to the pool below, before cascading a further 230 metres to the base of the gorge. Just as impressive is the Herbert River Gorge with its towering cliffs and dry rugged ridges.

Open forest dominates the escarpments and she-oaks line the Herbert River. Along the gullies and upper slopes of the Herbert River Gorge, vine-thicket rainforest scattered with hoop pines persists.

In the open forest, animals such as the elegant, whiptail wallaby and gangly emu try to find sanctuary from the heat. In the river and creeks, freshwater turtles can be seen basking on logs or peering through the surface of the water.

Natural, cultural and historical values make this region a truly special place. We invite you to explore the park, learn about its history and enjoy the diverse plant and animal life.

Read more about the nature, culture and history of Blencoe Falls, Girringun National Park.

Camping and accommodation

Camping

Walk-in and vehicle-based camping is available at Blencoe Falls camping area. Toilets are provided and water can be collected from Blencoe Creek. Remember to treat all water before use. Camping permits are required and fees apply.

• Find out more about camping at Blencoe Falls, Girringun National Park
• Book your camp site online.
• If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.

To avoid trampling vegetation, disturbing wildlife and causing erosion, please keep your four-wheel-drive vehicle on marked tracks. Failure to stay on the track may incur a penalty.

If you prefer to rough it, then limited bush camping opportunities exist as part of the Wet Tropics Great Walk. These are ‘hike-in’ sites and campers need to be totally self-sufficient.

Other accommodation

There is a range of holiday accommodation in and around Mount Garnet and Ravenshoe.

For more information see the tourism information links below.

Things to do

Walking

• Blencoe Falls map (PDF, 95K)* 

Blencoe Falls provides a gateway to the Wet Tropics Great Walk. With 110 kilometres of walking opportunities, including short and overnight walks, there is something for everyone.

Blencoe Falls lookout—400 metres return (allow 20 minutes) Grade: easy

To access this walk, drive one kilometre north-west of the camping area and turn left where signed. It is 5.2 kilometres to the carpark. Near the carpark, the Herbert River Gorge lookout provides amazing views of the Herbert River as it meanders its way through the gorge.

A distant dull rumble becomes a roar as you walk towards Blencoe Falls. At the lookout, soak up the sights and sounds of the falls as they race towards the Herbert River. Blencoe Falls plunges 90 metres to the pool below, before cascading a further 230 metres to the base of the gorge. Relic hoop pines shrouded in mist can create an eerie feeling. Enjoy the view but remain behind the safety fence at all times and supervise children carefully.

Jabali walk—5 kilometres return (allow 1.5–2 hours) Grade: moderate

The Jabali (pronounced Ju-bah-li and meaning 'whiptail wallaby') walk starts just west of the camping area and allows visitors to discover the rugged country of the Australian bush. The walk travels through open eucalypt forest as it meanders towards the Blencoe Falls lookout. Return the same way or arrange for someone to pick you up at the Blencoe Falls lookout carpark.

Jambal walk, Wet Tropics Great Walk—20.6 kilometres return (allow 2 days) Grade: difficult

The Jambal (pronounced Jum-bul and meaning 'snake') walk to Blanket Creek bush camp, in the Herbert River Gorge, should only be attempted by experienced, self-sufficient walkers with a high level of fitness. Read more about the Jambal walk.

Juwun walk, Wet Tropics Great Walk—43.5 kilometres one way (allow 4–6 days) Grade: difficult.

The Juwun (pronounced Jorn and meaning Herbert River Gorge) walk is a strenuous multi-day walk through the Herbert River Gorge from Blencoe Falls to the Yamanie pick-up point. The walk is suitable only for experienced, self-sufficient walkers with a high level of fitness. Read more about the Juwun walk.

Fishing

Fishing is permitted in Girringun National Park. Size, take and possession limits apply. Contact the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation for further information. Crocodiles live in the Herbert River—always remember to be croc wise in croc country.

Things to know before you go

Blencoe Falls, Girringun National Park is remote and help can be hours away. Remember to tell a responsible person where you are going and when you expect to return. Have a contingency plan in place if you fail to contact them by the agreed time. If you change your plans, inform them. Be aware that mobile phone coverage is limited.

Essentials to bring

Blencoe Falls is a remote area and visitors must be self-sufficient. Remember to pack:

• a first-aid kit including a space blanket
• adequate clothing including wet-weather gear
• sturdy, reliable footwear
• a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
• insect repellent
• adequate water-carrying containers
• a water treatment device for treating all drinking water
• at least one form of emergency communication equipment—mobile phone coverage is limited
• rubbish bags
• firewood (collecting firewood in Girringun National Park is prohibited).

Opening hours

Girringun National Park is open 24 hours a day. Some walks may be closed during the wet season, between December and April. Additional closures may occur for management purposes including weed and feral animal control.

Permits and fees

Camping permits are required and fees apply for camping in Girringun National Park. A camping tag with your booking number must be displayed at your camp site.

• Book your camp site online.
• If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.

Pets

Domestic animals are not permitted in Girringun National Park.

Climate and weather

High rainfall summers and drier winters characterise the north-east Queensland tropical savanna region. Daytime temperatures and humidity can be high at any time of the year and nights can be very cool. In July the average overnight minimum temperatures are between nine and 18 degrees Celsius. Temperatures may drop as low as zero degrees Celsius and frosts can occur in elevated areas. Please carry suitable clothing to accommodate all extremes. July to October are generally the driest months, but heavy rain can fall at any time.

Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology.

For more information see the tourism information links below.

Fuel and supplies

Fuel and supplies are available from local towns such as Ravenshoe and Mount Garnet.

Staying safe

• In the event of an emergency, communication equipment is vital. You should carry at least one form of communication equipment. Mobile phone coverage is very limited and should not be relied upon as the only form of emergency communication. In case of an emergency, if network coverage is available, dial 000 on your charged mobile phone. If 000 doesn’t work, you can try 112.
• Cattle may be encountered in the camping area. Never startle or approach these animals and ensure they have a clear path to the scrub.
• Never jump or dive into water.
• Take care around cliffs, steep slopes and rock faces along tracks and at lookouts.
• Supervise children closely.
• Protect yourself from the sun. Wear sunscreen, a hat and a long-sleeved shirt, even on cloudy days.
• Carry adequate drinking water. Treat all water before drinking.
• Estuarine crocodiles live in the Herbert River Gorge. Please remember to be croc wise in croc country.

For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.

Looking after the park

• Wash at least 50 metres from the creek. Use gritty sand and a scourer instead of soap to clean dishes. Scatter water so that it filters through the soil before returning to the creek.
• Rubbish facilities are not provided. Please take your rubbish home with you.
• Check your clothing and shoes regularly for seeds and dispose of them in your rubbish to avoid the spread of weeds.
• Domestic animals are not permitted in national parks as they can disturb and harm wildlife.
• Do not chase, scare or feed animals.
• Camp only in designated camp sites.
• Use toilets provided.
• To avoid trampling vegetation, disturbing wildlife and causing erosion, please keep your four-wheel-drive vehicle on marked tracks. Failure to stay on the track may incur a penalty.
• Remember, this area is a national park—everything is protected.

See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

Park management

Blencoe Falls, Girringun National Park was gazetted as part of Lumholtz National Park in 2000 before a name change in 2003. Girringun National Park is managed by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service for the purposes of nature conservation and nature-based recreation.

Tourism information links

Atherton Tableland Information Centre
www.athertoninformationcentre.com.au
Corner Main and Silo Roads, Atherton Qld 4883
ph (07) 4091 4222
email athinfocentre@trc.qld.gov.au 

Cairns and Tropical North Visitor Information Centre
www.cairnsgreatbarrierreef.org.au
51 The Esplanade, Cairns Qld 4870
ph (07) 4051 3588
email info@ttnq.org.au

Ravenshoe Visitor Centre
www.ravenshoevisitorcentre.com.au
24 Moore Street, Ravenshoe Qld 4888
ph (07) 4097 7700
email info@ravenshoevisitorcentre.com.au

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au

For information on road conditions contact:
RACQ (The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland)
www.racq.com.au
ph 1300 130 595 for 24-hour road reports

Further information

Contact us 

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Last updated 7 June 2011

Blencoe Falls, Girringun National Park

• About Blencoe Falls
• Camping information
• Nature, culture and history