Juwun and Jambal walks
Herbert River Gorge
Spectacular gorges, towering cliffs, rugged countryside and dry rainforest-clad ridges. Discover all this on the Juwun (Herbert River Gorge) and Jambal (snake) walks.
Before undertaking an overnight walk please ensure you have collected the relevant trail guide. Trail guides are available at selected Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service offices and selected accredited information centres.
Getting there
Blencoe Falls can be accessed via the coast from Kennedy or inland via Mt Garnet. Local flooding may restrict access. Contact the RACQ www.racq.com.au to enquire about local road conditions. Access to the Yamanie Section of Girringun National Park is from Ingham.
Blencoe Falls
Access from both the coast and inland should only be attempted in dry conditions, and 4WD vehicles are recommended.
- From Kennedy - turn west off the Bruce Highway, 11km north of Cardwell at Kennedy. Drive a further 7km along the Kennedy Creek Road and turn right into Kirrama Range Road. Follow the signs through the scenic Kirrama Range. Most of the road is unsealed, steep and windy. Allow at least 2hrs to travel the 66km.
- From Mt Garnet - Blencoe Falls is 96km south-east of Mt Garnet. The 2hr drive passes through several cattle stations along the Kennedy Development Road, Kirrama-Mt Garnet Road and Kirrama Cashmere Road.
Yamanie Section pick-up The Yamanie Section of Girringun National Park is 60km from Ingham, about a 45min drive. Travel west from Ingham along Abergowrie Road. At the end of the road you will find a gate - the entrance to the park. Please ensure you close the gate behind you. Beyond the gate, 4WD vehicles are recommended.
Climate
High rainfall summers and drier winters characterise the north-east Queensland tropical savanna region. To ensure your walk is fun and comfortable, try to visit between May and September when the weather and track conditions are at their best.
Daytime temperatures and humidity can be high at anytime of the year and nights can be very cool. In July the average overnight minimum temperatures are between 9 degrees Celsius and 18 degrees Celsius. Temperatures may reach as low as 0 degrees Celsius and frosts can occur in elevated areas. Please carry suitable clothing to accommodate extremes. July to October are generally the driest months, but heavy rain can fall at any time.
The track
The Juwun and Jambal walks provide challenging walking adventures. The Juwun walk passes through the traditional lands of three Aboriginal groups - the Warrgamay, Warungnu and Girramay. All of the Wet Tropic Great Walk tracks have been given language names by the Traditional Owners. They hope you will enjoy the walks and respect this sacred place.
The walks may be closed during the wet season, between September and May. Additional closures may occur for management purposes including weed and feral animal control programs.
Juwun and Jambal walks
Following is an overview of the Juwun walk broken into sections identified by natural landmarks. The distances are approximates and dependant on the route that you take. Allow 4 to 6 days to complete the walk.
For those undertaking the shorter Jambal walk (2 days), follow the Juwun walk to Blanket Creek and then return the same way.
Walk times are approximate only. They are based on what an average walker would expect to travel in good conditions. You will need to adjust these times to suit your group's level of experience and fitness. The times are for walking only. Remember to allow plenty of extra time for rest stops, meal breaks and sightseeing.
Beyond Blanket Creek, no bush camping sites have been identified. There is no designated walking track in the gorge.
Blencoe Falls to Blanket Creek
- Distance: 10.5km
- Time: 3hrs
The Juwun walk starts to the east of the Blencoe Falls campground. Ensure you carry adequate drinking water for the day's walk. There is no reliable water source available between the Blencoe Falls campground and Blanket Creek.
Wind your way through 9km of open forest before you reach the escarpment. This countryside may appear dry and desolate, but it offers a lot to see. Look for emus and kangaroos resting from the heat and listen for laughing kookaburras or screeching sulphur-crested cockatoos.
This country is rugged and one of extremes. During the dry season, the land is parched and vulnerable to fire. Grasses die back and some trees lose their leaves, giving the appearance of a dying landscape. With the arrival of the wet season, the countryside is inundated with water and the plants spring back to life.
About 4km along the walk, a side track leads you to the top of the ridge. Take a break and enjoy the sensational views through the gorge.
The track then winds its way to the top of the escarpment above Blanket Creek before dropping steeply onto the banks of the Herbert River. This is the Blanket Creek bush camp, your home for the night. Beware! As refreshing as a dip may appear, do not swim, as the river is home to estuarine crocodiles.
For those undertaking the Jambal walk, enjoy a night camping under the stars before returning the same way. For a more enjoyable experience walk in the early morning.
Blanket Creek to Smoko Creek
- Distance: 5.5km
- Time: 3hrs
After a good night's rest under the stars, follow the Herbert River as it leads you towards your destination. Not far from Blanket Creek, there is a long series of shallow rapids with large, tall, rocky outcrops. This challenging stretch of river is affectionately named the Rock Garden. It got its name from the many canoeists that it has caught out.
Walls of rock over 100m high line both sides of the gorge. Through the middle runs the river, the centre of life in the gorge. It provides a permanent source of water for wildlife. Wallabies drink from it and sea eagles fish in it. For others, like the estuarine crocodiles, it is home.
Estuarine or saltwater crocodiles are an important part of north Queensland's wetlands, and freshwater and marine areas. They are the largest predator in these habitats and help to maintain the overall health and balance of these ecosystems. Estuarine crocodiles live mainly in the tidal reaches of rivers, as well as in freshwater lagoons, swamps and waterways - up to hundreds of kilometres from the sea. They are most active at night.
Rocky surfaces can make the trip through the gorge slow and difficult. In places, animal trails may make the walking easier. Keep watch for feral cattle and pigs. Never startle or approach these animals and ensure they have a clear escape path to the scrub.
Melaleucas and blue gums frame the point where the seasonal Smoko Creek runs into the Herbert River from the north-east. At the junction, boulders that are metres high are scattered across the river. The combination of water and time has made these rocks perfectly smooth.
Smoko Creek to the Big W
- Distance: 5km
- Time: 4hrs
From Smoko Creek, the river straightens. Notice that the walls of the gorge no longer appear as tall and the river flattens out into a wide shallow pool. Along the southern bank, large open flats are broken by a number of dry creek beds running into the Herbert River.
Keep watch for bird life such as shags, cormorants and sulphur-crested cockatoos. Sea eagles and falcons also reside in the gorge. Sea eagles feed on freshwater turtles, fishing them out of the river. Rings of empty turtle shells can be found in the 'drop zones' beneath their nests or favourite perches.
Just when you think that this straight stretch of river will go on forever, you reach a large bend. This is the start of the Big W. Here, the gorge walls have closed in again. Take a moment to look back upstream, and enjoy the spectacular rock formations.
The Big W to Yamanie Creek
- Distance: 10km
- Time: 8hrs
The river slows around the Big W. Extensive bluffs line the southern side of the river and the first bend of the "W" is unpassable on the southern side. There is a marked change in vegetation throughout the "W".
Along most of the river, she-oaks scattered with bottlebrush, figs and sarsparilla line the riverbanks. These plants rely on high water levels to survive. The Herbert River floods each year and these plants have adapted to being inundated with water for weeks on end.
Floodwaters are powerful, and these plants must withstand the force of up to 20m of water rushing down the gorge. Through time, they have developed strategies to cope with these extreme conditions. Plant roots entwine around rocks, anchoring them to the ground. Trunks of the Leichhardt tree can re-shoot if they are broken or flattened in a flood. The stunted appearance of other plants indicates just how tough life in the gorge can be.
In the Big W, stands of paperbarks start to appear. On the southern side of the river, there are large flats of couch grass. After rain and grazing by cattle, the grass looks like a manicured lawn.
Yamanie Creek to Orange tree
- Distance: 5.5km
- Time: 3hrs
Yamanie Creek runs into the Herbert on the northern side of the river. The mouth of the creek is almost hidden from view. Take a detour to the spectacular Yamanie Falls. It should take you about 1.5hrs to walk the 1.8km stretch along Yamanie Creek to the falls. Along the way you will come across a fork in the creek. Keep to the right hand side.
As you approach the falls, the boulders get bigger. At the base of the falls, look up. Spectacular sheer cliffs frame the creek. From the top of the escarpment, Yamanie Creek plunges from the cliff top in a single-drop into a pool below. From here, the falls separate into five drops that tumble into a crystal clear rock pool. As you get closer to the bottom of the falls, large boulders create crevices and walkways to explore. Climbing pandanus clings to small ledges and crevices in the rock face.
A bluff on the southern side of the river, opposite the mouth of Yamanie Creek, is impassable. Just south of Yamanie Creek, the river splits into two, forming a lagoon on the northern side. Generally, the easiest walking is on the northern bank of the river. Cross back to the southern side at the rapids, just before the lagoon returns to the river.
Beyond the lagoon, there is a long stretch of river. After the junction, where the seasonal Herkes Creek runs into the Herbert River, there is a distinctive rocky bend filled with rapids. The river then straightens into a second long pool before reaching another set of rapids. To connect with the remainder of the track, ensure you cross to the southern bank of the river at the top of these rapids.
Orange tree to Yamanie Section pick-up
- Distance: 7km
- Time: 2hrs
At Orange tree, on the southern side of the river, follow the walking track through open forest along the banks of the Herbert River. Keep your eyes and ears open for resident wildlife. Listen for the noisy chatter of scaly-breasted lorikeets or the deep, gruff call of the wompoo fruit-dove.
Small gullies are scattered throughout the open forest. If you look carefully, you might catch a glimpse of the brilliant blue Ulysees butterfly or forest kingfisher as they seek sanctuary from the heat.
This country is special. It is the western boundary of the mahogany glider's habitat. Only recently re-discovered by science, the mahogany glider is an endangered species with only a tiny part of its habitat remaining.
The track winds back round to the Herbert River, where you must cross one last time. Resident crocodiles live in this part of the river. Always remain on the track and only cross the river at the marked location. Avoid travelling along the bank near sections of deep water as crocodiles may be encountered in dense grass and shrubs.
Over the last 2km, rainforest plants such as quandongs, candlenut and figs slowly merge into the open forest, eventually closing the canopy. You will appreciate the shade and the cooler temperatures to finish your walk.
This area was used extensively for grazing cattle by previous land managers. Many feral cattle still inhabit the area. Never startle or approach these animals. Ensure they have a clear escape path to the scrub, and do not camp near areas they frequent.
Facilities
Blencoe Falls
Toilets are provided at the campsite and water is located nearby. Treat all water before use.
Walk-in campsite
A bush-style campsite is available in the Yamanie Section. No facilities are provided.
Herbert River Gorge
There are no facilities or designated walking tracks in the Herbert River Gorge. A walking track is provided from Orange tree to the Yamanie Section pick-up.
Bush camping is available throughout the Herbert River Gorge. Only Blanket Creek has an identified bush campsite. No facilities are provided.
Cost and bookings
Camping permits are required for camping in Girringun National Park and along the Wet Tropics Great Walk. Permits must be obtained before you begin.
To obtain a camping permit:
- telephone 13 13 04, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- book online at www.qld.gov.au/camping
- visit a QPWS information centre.
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Last updated: 28 September 2005