Bartle-Frere Trail (Eastern Approach) - Walks - Experience Natural Encounters

Free Entry - Entry Information

Phone:

13 74 68

Alternate:

13 7468

Email:

qpws@nprsr.qld.com.au

Web:

www.nprsr.qld.gov.au

Description

Bartle Frere trail (Atherton Tableland trail head), Wooroonooran National Park. Climbing the summit of Queensland's highest mountain offers a challenging way to explore part of the World Heritage-listed rainforest of the Bellenden Ker Range in Wooroonooran National Park. The trail starts at an altitude of 100 metres and rises to 1,622 metres at the summit; an average gradient of one in five. Allow two days.

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Josephine Falls to Big Rock camp (allow two hours)

The walk from Josephine Falls carpark to Big Rock camp is relatively easy, with only a moderate climb (rising 400 metres over 3 kilometres). Many campers choose to leave their overnight packs at Big Rock camp and carry only day packs to the Bartle Frere summit.

Big Rock camp to Eastern Summit camp (allow five hours)

This section is a steep climb (rising 1,000 metres over four kilometres). The remains of an old mine are 100 metres off the trail at Eastern Summit camp, but take care as the descent to the mine is steep. There is a camping pad at Eastern Summit camp that you are encouraged to use to reduce impacts on the environment. Do not leave equipment on the camping pad during the day as the pad may be used to land a helicopter in an emergency. Those camping overnight will enjoy the beautiful sunset and sunrise, weather permitting.

Eastern Summit camp to Bartle Frere summit (allow one hour)

The final ascent (rising 300 metres over 500 metres) to the broad summit of Bartle Frere requires scrambling over boulders and can be slippery when wet. For your safety, grip bars have been installed to help you through the boulder field. Enjoy fabulous views over the township of Innisfail and the coast to the east. To the west you will see the undulating landscape of the Atherton Tableland.

From the summit, walkers can either return to Josephine Falls or continue on to Junction camp.

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About the Walk

Distance:

15 kilometres

Duration:

2 days (12 hours)

Category:

Multi-Day Walk

Difficulty:

Hard

Type:

Return

Start Point:

The Josephine Falls carpark. The trail starts at an altitude of 100 metres and rises to 1622 metres at the summit, an average gradient of 1 in 5.

Finish Point:

From the summit, walkers can either return or continue to The Junction Camp.

Walk Highlights

Coastal and tableland views
World Heritage Area
Majestic waterfalls
Queensland's highest peak
Diverse vegetation
Undulating landscape

Walk Hints

This 15 kilometre mountain rainforest trek is extremely demanding. The Bartle Frere East hike should only be undertaken by experienced and fit bushwalkers.

It is recommended that you allow two days for the ascent to the summit and back to either the east (Josephine Falls) or the west (Tablelands). There are two overnight campsites and a permit is required before you depart. If you plan on a one day trip, be aware that it will take approximately 12 hours.

Preparation is important for all hiking on Mt Bartle Frere, as it is likely you will encounter variable weather conditions. These may include heavy rainfall, reduced visibility from cloud, cold temperatures and sudden weather changes.

Take correct maps and a compass. Carry adequate food and water. No fires are permitted, so bring a fuel stove.

Walkers should be careful not to brush against spiky wait-a-while vines and the heart shaped leaf of stinging trees.

Daytime temperatures and humidity can be high at any time of the year and nights can be very cool. Please carry suitable clothing to accommodate all extremes. Some sections of walking tracks may be closed during the wet season, between October and May.

Remember that you will need to obtain a permit if you wish to camp overnight on Bartle Frere. Self registration forms available at the beginning of the walk should also be filled in by all walkers.

Best Time To Go

Visit between April and October when the weather and track conditions are at their best.

Property Details

Facilities

BBQ Facilities
Car park
Walking Tracks

Activities

Animal Watching
Birdwatching
Walking

Other Information

Disabled:
The walking track is not wheelchair accessible. The toilets, picnic shelter and picnic tables at Josephine Falls are wheelchair-accessible.

How To Get There:
Josephine Falls is 75 kilometres south of Cairns. Turn right off the Bruce Highway two kilometres south of Miriwinni and drive eight kilometres to Josephine Falls. Access is suitable for conventional vehicles.

Inclusions:
Camping fees apply.

Weather:
To ensure your visit is comfortable, try to visit between May and October when the weather and trail conditions are at their best. During this time, temperatures are generally cooler and the weather drier. Temperatures on the mountain are around 10 degrees Celsius cooler than on the coast. Be aware that strong winds of 25-40 kilometres per hour can occur and the wind chill factor can result in temperatures below freezing.
During the wet season, from December to April, rain can be extensive and very heavy. The region receives some of the highest rainfall in Australia, often more than 10,000 millimetres annually. The highest recorded annual rainfall for the summit was 11,850 millimetres in 1999. Day temperatures average about 30 degrees Celsius with 90 per cent humidity and nights can be cool.
Cloud envelops the upper ridges of the mountain suddenly and rainstorms are common all year round. Rain, cold and poor visibility can make camping and bushwalking uncomfortable and potentially unsafe. In extreme weather conditions the trail may be closed. Carry suitable clothing to accommodate all extremes.

Queensland Holidays - The Official Tourism Site for Queensland

NATURAL ENCOUNTERS

Bartle Frere Trail (Atherton Tableland Trail Head)
Cairns, Cairns Area

Description