Environment and Resource Management

About Goldfield trail

Getting there and getting around

North-west end

The Goldsborough Valley day-use and camping area, at the north-west end of the trail, is 46 kilometres south of Cairns. Travel 24 kilometres south of Cairns along the Bruce Highway and turn right onto the Gillies Highway at Gordonvale. Continue along this road for about 6.5 kilometres to the Goldsborough Valley turn-off on the left. Cross Peets Bridge and continue for 16 kilometres to the camping and day-use area, the Goldfield trail begins at the far end of the Goldsborough Valley camping area. The last five kilometres of the road to the camping and day-use area is unsealed but well graded, although it can be slippery in wet conditions. Please take care—drive slowly, watch out for wildlife and oncoming traffic and check road conditions and river crossings before setting out.

South-east end

The south-east end of the trail is at The Boulders Scenic Reserve, seven kilometres from Babinda. Drive 57 kilometres south of Cairns along the Bruce Highway to Babinda. Turn right into Munro Street and follow the signs to The Boulders Scenic Reserve.

Both ends of the Goldfield trail can be reached by conventional vehicle but access roads, bridges and the trail may be closed due to flooding, particularly during the wet season (December to April). Check with RACQ for road conditions and the Bureau of Meteorology for updated weather reports.

Wheelchair accessibility

The Goldfield trail is not wheelchair accessible. There are wheelchair-accessible toilets and day-use areas at both ends of the trail.

Park features

The Goldfield trail allows visitors to experience the beauty and diversity of Wooroonooran National Park. The trail links The Boulders Scenic Reserve and Goldsborough Valley day-use and camping area and travels through a lush tropical rainforest with refreshing creek crossings.

Originally the trail was a rough track from the coast over a saddle in the Bellenden Ker Range. Prospectors created the track in the 1930s, eager to reach the north-west slopes of Bartle Frere in search of gold. Although the trail fell into disuse when the goldfield failed to live up to its promise, the trail was re-opened in 1986 as an international volunteer project and is now popular with visitors.

The north-west half of the trail follows the banks of the East Mulgrave River along an old logging track, through stands of trees and sections of high grass.

Read more about the nature, culture and history of the trail.

Camping and accommodation

Camping

There is a bush camping area with no facilities halfway along the Goldfield trail at the Mulgrave River top causeway—at the end of the old logging road. Campers must be completely self-sufficient, carrying food, water and a fuel or gas stove. Camping permits are required and fees apply.

Camping is also available at the Goldsborough Valley camping area, at the north-west end of the trail. Again camping permits are required and fees apply.

There is also a campground outside the national park near The Boulders Scenic Reserve. Contact the Cairns Regional Council for more information.

Other accommodation

There is a range of holiday accommodation between Townsville and Cairns, including hotels, motels, B&Bs, hostels, farm stays, eco-lodges, caravan parks and commercial camping areas. For more information see the tourism information links below.

Things to do

Walking

Goldfield trail—19 kilometres one way (7–9 hours) Grade: moderate

This trail links The Boulders Scenic Reserve, seven kilometres from Babinda, and Goldsborough Valley. The ends of the trail are over 60 kilometres apart by road and neither is serviced by public transport. Walkers should consider this before setting out and arrange transport at their destination, or consider returning to their starting point. Alternatively the trail could be walked on different days, from either The Boulders or Goldsborough Valley, as two separate return trips.

At The Boulders Scenic Reserve the trail starts beyond the children’s play area, near the toilets. Take the right-hand path at the Y junction and cross the wooden bridge. The trail follows Babinda Creek upstream and after one kilometre enters Wooroonooran National Park. The trail leaves the main creek edge but continues along flat ground, crossing several smaller creeks. This section was partly logged before being declared Bellenden Ker National Park in 1921. The park name was changed to Wooroonooran National Park in 1994.

After about three kilometres the trail rejoins the creek and starts to climb steadily for the next kilometre or so. There are no grand views from this trail but about four kilometres from the start you begin to get the first of many glimpses of the high Bellenden Ker Range through the trees. At about 4.5 kilometres there is a fairly large creek lined with king ferns. Walkers wanting to do a shorter 4–5 hour return walk should turn back here.

After crossing the creek the trail becomes slightly wetter with more king ferns. Red-bellied black snakes are reasonably common, sunning themselves in patches of sunlight. These are venomous snakes and should be avoided. At about 5.5 kilometres the trail crosses another picturesque creek with mossy boulders and large king ferns. You can rest in this peaceful setting and listen for the calls of the rainforest birds: the raucous screams of the sulphur-crested cockatoos or the chatter of smaller bush birds like the scrubwrens and thornbills. Look out for Australian brush-turkeys turning over leaf litter on the forest floor.

From this creek the trail climbs steeply but beyond six kilometres it becomes undulating, with more views of the Bellenden Ker Range. The ground is quite rough and care should be taken, especially after wet weather. After some fairly steep climbs and descents you may hear, on your right, the roar of the East Mulgrave Falls, about two kilometres away.

After about eight kilometres the trail follows a ridge with valleys dropping away to the left. Some very steep descents eventually bring walkers to flatter ground and a series of creek crossings. Beyond the nine kilometre mark there is a wide creek crossing and the forest opens out. Follow the trail for a further two kilometres to reach the causeway over the East Mulgrave River. Not far beyond this it joins the Mulgrave River.

The clear, deep pools of the river are a refreshing sight. Although there are no facilities, bush camping is permitted but permits must be booked in advance. Please note that after heavy rain it may be impossible to wade across the East Mulgrave River causeway.

From the causeway the trail follows a wide, former logging track along the banks of the Mulgrave River, crossing numerous creeks. Rainforest, with some picturesque strangler figs, arches over much of the trail with abundant native gingers at ground level. After 15 kilometres the trail crosses an area of high grass with views of Kearneys Falls to the right. Another four kilometres brings walkers to the Goldsborough Valley camping area and the end of the trail.

The trail may also be walked in the other direction, starting from the Goldsborough Valley camping area and finishing at The Boulders Scenic Reserve.

Read more about the nature, culture and history of the trail.

Picnic and day-use areas

Picnic tables, shelter sheds, gas barbecues and toilets are provided at Goldsborough Valley, Wooroonooran National Park and also at The Boulders Scenic Reserve.

Fishing

Fishing is permitted in the Mulgrave River. Fisheries regulations apply—information on bag and size limits, restricted species and seasonal closures is available from the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation.

Bicycling

Cycling is permitted on an eight kilometre stretch of the Goldfield trail from the Goldsborough Valley camping area to the causeway over the East Mulgrave River (refer to map (PDF, 109K)*). Cyclists must not travel beyond the causeway. Group sizes for cyclists must be no larger than 10 people. Permits are not required except for a commercial or group activity.

Please remember this is a multi-use track so:

Things to know before you go

To ensure you have a safe and enjoyable hike, please prepare thoroughly. Remember to tell a responsible person where you are going and when you expect to return. Let them know your route and contact them on your return. Have a contingency plan in place if you fail to contact them by the agreed time. If you change your plans, inform them.

Essentials to bring

Walkers of the Goldfield trail must be fully self-sufficient. Pack essential equipment and bushwalking gear including:

Opening hours

Wooroonooran National Park is open 24 hours a day. The Goldfield trail may be closed during the wet season, between December and April. Additional closures may occur for management purposes including pest plant and animal control. All walkers should check trail conditions before planning a trip.

Permits and fees

Camping permits are required and fees apply.

There are no permits or fees required for day trips to Wooroonooran National Park. Permits are required for commercial or group activities, including large groups and educational groups. Please contact us for more information.

Pets

Domestic animals are not permitted in Wooroonooran National Park.

Climate and weather

To ensure your visit is fun and comfortable, try to visit between May and November when the weather and trail conditions are at their best.

Daytime temperatures and humidity can be high at any time of the year and nights can be cool. Please carry suitable clothing for all extremes. May to November is generally the driest period, but heavy rain can fall at any time.

For more information see the tourism information links below.

Fuel and supplies

Fuel and supplies are available from local towns including Babinda, Gordonvale, Innisfail and Cairns.

Staying safe

Walking the Goldfield trail is an extremely rewarding journey, but is also potentially dangerous. Rocks can be very slippery, the water cold and water levels can change suddenly and without warning. Flash floods are common in the wet season.

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

Looking after the park

Parks and forests protect Queensland's wonderful natural diversity and scenery. Help keep these places special by following the guidelines below.

Remember this 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

Wooroonooran National Park forms part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. It is managed for the purposes of nature conservation and nature-based recreation.

Wooroonooran National Park is managed by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, in collaboration with the Wet Tropics Management Authority and the Traditional Owners.

Tourism information links

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

Cairns and Tropical North Visitor Information Centre
www.cairnsgreatbarrierreef.org.au   
51 The Esplanade, Cairns Qld 4870
ph (07) 4051 3588
fax (07) 4051 7509
email info@ttnq.org.au 

Babinda Information Centre
Munro Street, Babinda Qld 4861
ph (07) 4067 1008
fax (07) 4067 1118
email babindainfo@qld.chariot.net.au 

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

Further information

Contact us.

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Last updated 7 June 2011

Goldfield trail, Wooroonooran National Park

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