Environment and Resource Management

About Davies Creek and Dinden

Getting there and getting around

Clohesy River Road. Photo: Julie Dutoit, DERM.

Clohesy River Road. Photo: Julie Dutoit, DERM.

Davies Creek and Dinden national parks are on the Atherton Tableland. From Cairns, travel towards Kuranda via the Kennedy Highway. After passing the Kuranda turn-off, travel a further 21 km before turning left on to Davies Creek Road. This gravel road is corrugated and unsuitable for caravans.

Davies Creek National Park

Follow Davies Creek Road for 6.2 km to reach Davies Creek campground. Davies Creek Falls circuit track is 2 km beyond the campground. For most of the year this section of road is accessible to conventional vehicles.

Dinden National Park

Dinden campground is on Davies Creek, 10 km along Davies Creek Road—3.8 km past Davies Creek campground. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended for access to the campground.

Between camp sites three and four is the start of the Turtle Rock circuit trail. Continue driving along Davies Creek Road, past the campground, to reach the start of the Kahlpahlim Rock (Lambs Head) trail.

Also within Dinden National Park, enjoy the scenic drive along Clohesy River Road and walk the Clohesy River fig tree boardwalk. Clohesy River Road is accessed from the Kennedy Highway (9 km north of the intersection with Davies Creek Road or 10 km south of Kuranda). Access is only by four-wheel-drive vehicles and the creek crossings may be impassable after rain. A Wet Tropics Management Authority permit is required for driving motorised vehicles (including trail bikes) on the Clohesy River Road beyond the Clohesy fig tree. All vehicles must be road registered. Contact the DERM Business Centre in Cairns or Atherton for further information. No fees apply.

Roads within Davies Creek and Dinden national parks may be closed in the wet season (December to April) due to flooding or after heavy rain for maintenance. Visit the Bureau of Meteorology for updated weather reports.

Wheelchair accessibility

The toilets at the Davies Creek campground are wheelchair-accessible as is the Clohesy River fig tree boardwalk in Dinden National Park.

Park features

Davies Creek National Park provides habitat for the endangered northern bettong. Photo: DERM.

Davies Creek National Park provides habitat for the endangered northern bettong. Photo: DERM.

Davies Creek Falls, a magnificent waterfall cascading over huge granite boulders, and the impressive Clohesy River fig tree are major features of these national parks.

Dinden National Park straddles the Lamb Range—the string of mountains behind Cairns. Rainforest cloaks the wetter eastern side of the range where Lake Morris, the main water reservoir for Cairns, is situated. Eucalypt woodland occupies the drier rain-shadowed areas on the western slopes. Between these two contrasting vegetation types runs a strip of a rare forest type known as wet sclerophyll.

A number of birds, such as the eastern yellow robin, the white-cheeked honeyeater and white-naped honeyeater, are residents of the wet sclerophyll forest of these two national parks. Endangered northern bettongs are also found in Davies Creek National Park and parts of Dinden National Park. These rat-kangaroos, smaller than a rabbit, are found in very limited areas of North Queensland and these parks have their main population. Researchers recently discovered southern brown bandicoots in Davies Creek National Park—a long way from the nearest known population on Cape York Peninsula.

Camping and accommodation

Fireplaces and picnic tables at Davies Creek campground. Photo: Julie Dutoit, DERM.

Fireplaces and picnic tables at Davies Creek campground. Photo: Julie Dutoit, DERM.

Camping is available at Davies Creek campground and further along Davies Creek Road at Dinden campground. Davies Creek campground is a self-registration camping area while Dinden campground is an e-permit campground where camp sites must be booked in advance.

Toilets are provided at both campgrounds. All camp sites are next to Davies Creek and water can be collected from the creek. Remember to treat all water before use. Fires are only allowed in the fireplaces provided. Firewood must not be collected from the park. Camping permits are required and fees apply.

Other accommodation

There is a range of holiday accommodation in and around Cairns, Mareeba, Kuranda and Atherton. For more information, see the tourism information links.

Things to do

Valley views from the Davies Creek Falls circuit track. Courtesy of Julie Dutoit.

Valley views from the Davies Creek Falls circuit track. Courtesy of Julie Dutoit.

Davies Creek Falls. Courtesy of Julie Dutoit.

Davies Creek Falls. Courtesy of Julie Dutoit.

Clohesy River fig tree boardwalk. Photo: Julie Dutoit, DERM.

Clohesy River fig tree boardwalk. Photo: Julie Dutoit, DERM.

Walking

There is a range of walking tracks in Davies Creek and Dinden national parks from short and easy through to the difficult 12.3 km Kahlpahlim Rock circuit walk.

Davies Creek National Park walks

Davies Creek Falls circuit track—1.1 km return (20 mins) Grade: easy

This circuit track begins in the car park, 2 km beyond Davies Creek campground. The marked trail leads to two lookouts. One provides a view back along the valley while the other overlooks Davies Creek Falls as it plunges 75 m into the valley below. Please enjoy the views from the lookouts but remain behind the barriers at all times—deaths have occurred at this site.

From the lookout, the track continues alongside a tranquil section of the creek lined with paperbark trees, pandanus and banksias. The track then leads to a sandy creek-side picnic and swimming area, where platypus may be seen, and returns to the car park up a slope dotted with grass trees.

Dinden National Park walks

Turtle Rock circuit trail—8 km return (3–4 hrs) Grade: difficult

This is a difficult trail that should only be undertaken by fit and experienced walkers. It is best to start the walk early in the cool of the day. Never walk alone. Carry plenty of water and inform a reliable person of your plans.

This trail starts near the toilet block between camp sites three and four in Dinden campground. It travels through open eucalypt forest scattered with grass trees before climbing a ridge. The track becomes quite rough and steep with loose gravel in the final climb to the 936 m summit. At the summit there are impressive boulders and spectacular views in all directions. The trail continues over the summit and descends via a different ridge, reaching and crossing Davies Creek between camp sites five and six. This section of the walk is marked by orange markers on trees. A short walk along Davies Creek Road takes you back to where you started.

Kahlpahlim Rock circuit (Kahlpahlim Rock and Ridge trails)

At around 1300 m above sea level, Kahlpahlim Rock is the highest point on the Lamb Range. The sheer size of the rock and the views over the Davies Creek catchment are impressive. Two steep but beautiful trails (Kahlpahlim Rock and Ridge trails) lead to the granite boulders of Kahlpahlim Rock. They converge near the top allowing hikers to walk the track as a circuit.

These trails are well marked with orange trail markers but are difficult and should only be undertaken by fit and experienced walkers. Start the walk early, to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and allow time to return. It is not advisable to start the walk when the top of the mountain is covered in cloud or after wet weather. The best time to visit is in the drier months between September and November.

Access to the trail heads is seasonal and four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended. Carry at least 2–3 L of drinking water per person—water is not available along the trails. Inform a reliable person of your plans.

Ridge trail—9.2 km return (5 hrs) Grade: difficult

The Ridge trail starts 11 km along Davies Creek Road (1 km beyond the turn-off to Dinden camp sites five and six). It travels through open forest featuring tall rose gum, turpentine and casuarina trees. This trail has a steep incline and passes through open, partly shady country. After 3.6 km take the left-hand trail at the junction and walk 1 km to the enormous granite boulders of Kahlpahlim Rock. For your safety do not venture past the boulders.

Kahlpahlim Rock trail—10.8 km return (6 hrs) Grade: difficult

The Kahlpahlim Rock trail starts 13.3 km along Davies Creek Road (2.3 km beyond the start of the Ridge trail). The trail ascends steeply along a former logging track before passing through rainforest, featuring magnificent blue kauri pine trees, and crossing two small creeks. Listen for calls of tooth-billed bowerbirds that loudly mimic the songs of other birds. After leaving the rainforest, the trail travels steeply through dry forest of casuarina and banksia trees before coming to a junction 4.4 km along the trail. Walk 1 km along the right-hand trail to reach the enormous granite boulders of Kahlpahlim Rock. For your safety do not venture past the boulders.

Kahlpahlim Rock circuit—12.3 km return (6–7 hrs) Grade: difficult

This track can be walked as a circuit starting at either trail head described above. A 2.3 km walk along Davies Creek Road returns to your vehicle. The Kahlpahlim Rock trail is quite steep but is shaded for much of the way. The Ridge trail offers a more manageable incline, but passes through open, less shady country.

Clohesy River fig tree boardwalk—300 m return (20 mins) Grade: easy

This wheelchair-accessible boardwalk encircles the magnificent Clohsey River fig tree. Signs along the walk interpret the local rainforest environment.

This walk begins 9 km along Clohesy River Road via the Kennedy Highway (9 km north of the intersection with Davies Creek Road or 10 km south of Kuranda). Access is only possible by four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Guided tours and talks

Various commercial operators run tours to Davies Creek and Dinden national parks. For more information, see the tourism information links.

Driving

Explore the Shoteel Creek and Clohesy River valleys on a scenic drive along Clohesy River Road. This 33 km return drive is only suitable for four-wheel-drive vehicles as it is an unsealed road with numerous river crossings. Explore the many clear flowing creeks, read about the history and geology of the area and visit the Clohesy River fig tree. A Wet Tropics Management Authority permit is required for driving on the Clohesy River Road beyond the Clohesy fig tree and all vehicles must be road registered. Contact the DERM business centres in Cairns or Atherton for further information. No fees apply.

There is no access to Lake Morris or Cairns beyond the locked gates at the end of Clohesy River Road. Turn around in the signed clearing just before the gate as the road beyond is narrow with steep drop-offs. 

There are two locked gates along Bridle Creek Road. Motorised vehicles (including trail bikes) are not allowed on this section of road.

Picnic and day-use areas

Davies Creek campground doubles as a day-use area. This shaded area beside the creek has picnic tables and wheelchair-accessible toilets. Fires are only allowed in the fireplaces provided and firewood must not be collected from the national park.

There are two other picnic areas with access to the creek. One is 200 m before the Davies Creek campground. The other is along the Davies Creek Falls circuit track, 2 km beyond Davies Creek campground. No facilities are provided and camping is not permitted in these picnic areas.

Mountain biking

Mountain bikes are allowed on Clohesy River, Bridle Creek and Davies Creek roads, but not on any of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service walking tracks or boardwalks.

Permits are not required to ride mountain bikes along Clohesy River Road. To travel through to Lake Morris a permit from the Cairns Regional Council is required to pass the locked gate. Contact Cairns Water.

There are two locked gates along Bridle Creek Road. Mountain bikes may pass through these gates but motorised vehicles (including trail bikes) are not allowed on this section of road.

Viewing wildlife

Davies Creek and Dinden national parks offer excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife. See a number of plant and animal species, many with significant conservation status. Enjoy the colourful and aromatic wildflower displays in spring.

Other things to do

Swim in Davies Creek or relax on the granite boulders worn smooth by thousands of years of flowing water.

Things to know before you go

Essentials to bring

To ensure you have a safe and enjoyable visit, make sure you pack:

Opening hours

Davies Creek and Dinden national parks are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The parks are occasionally closed during wet weather or for other management purposes.

Permits and fees

Driving permits

A Wet Tropics Management Authority permit is required for driving on the Clohesy River Road beyond the Clohesy River fig tree. All vehicles must be road registered. Contact the DERM business centres in Cairns or Atherton for further information. No fees apply.

Motorised vehicles (including trail bikes) are prohibited past the car park and locked gates on Bridle Creek Road. Locked gates at the eastern end of Clohesy River Road also prevent vehicle access to the Cairns Regional Council water reserve. To access the water reserve by mountain bike or on foot, a permit from Cairns Water is required.

Camping permits

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

Camp sites at Davies Creek campground cannot be booked. On arrival visitors must complete a camping permit and lodge fees at the self-registration shelter near the toilets.

Camp sites at Dinden campground must be booked.

Special permits are required for commercial or organised group activities. Contact the department for further information.

Pets

Domestic animals are not permitted in Davies Creek or Dinden national parks.

Climate and weather

Davies Creek and Dinden national parks are pleasant year-round; however, the drier, cooler months of May to November are the best time to visit. Davies Creek National Park is shady and the creek has cool rock pools to swim in or camp beside. Remember heavy rainfall can occur at any time. After rain the roads can be boggy and swimming in the creek can be dangerous due to the higher flow of water.

Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology. For more information, see the tourism information links.

Fuel and supplies

Fuel and supplies are available at Mareeba, Atherton and Kuranda. For more information, see the tourism information links.

Staying safe

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

Looking after the park

Water quality

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

Park management

In 1971, the Davies Creek area was recognised for its outstanding recreational values and gazetted as national park. The gazettal of nearby Dinden National Park followed in late 2005.

Davies Creek and Dinden national parks are managed by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to provide, to the greatest possible extent, for the permanent preservation of the area's natural condition and the protection of the areas cultural resources and values.

Most of Dinden National Park is within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and is managed in collaboration with the Wet Tropics Management Authority.

Tourism information links

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

Kuranda Visitor Information Centre
www.kuranda.org
Centenary Park, Kuranda Qld 4881
phone: (07) 4093 9311
email: info@kuranda.org 

Mareeba Heritage Museum and Tourist Information Centre
www.mareebaheritagecentre.com.au
345 Byrnes Street, Mareeba Qld 4880
phone: (07) 4092 5674
email: info@mareebaheritagecentre.com.au

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

Further information

Contact us

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Last updated 20 March 2012

Davies Creek National Park and Dinden National Park

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