Page 77 - Port Douglas Magazine 33

adventure. adventure.

To get to Mowbray from Port Douglas, take a left onto the Cook
Highway and after 3k take a right onto Mowbray River Road.
Continue ahead for about another 1k until you come to a fork - head
right onto Connolly Road and park just in front of Connolly Bridge.
Walk over the bridge and onto the road where you’ll pass a house
on your right, and the start of the track is signposted on the left just
after the paddock.
This track crosses the country of the Djabugay and Kuku Yalanji The Bump Track
Aboriginal people. It’s pretty much uphill all the way for just over
2k until you reach the viewpoint. The steepest sections are called
Slaty Pinch (after a 150m elevation) and then The Bump (after a
300+m elevation). Believe me, you’ll know when you reach them.
We haven’t seen too much wildlife here but spotted an echidna once,
plus a couple of roos nearby.
There are some historical information points on the way up where
you can have a read and take a short rest. Here you can imagine the
horse and bullock teams slogging those heavy wagons uphill in the Mowbray Falls
1900’s … you’ve got it easy in comparison, although it may not feel
that way now!
Just before the chair rest at about 1.5k in, you’ll see a glimmer of life
beyond the trees to your right and should see Mowbray Falls in the
distance. I’ve seen a few people give up just beyond this point, but For those brave hearts continuing onward to the Falls from the bench, you’ll be Tip: e track will be quieter during the week, as well as earlier and later

don’t. You’ll arrive at your hiker’s reward in another 500m where pleased to know it’s not as steep. Trot uphill for another 2k where you’ll cross in the day. Wear mozzie repellent and sunscreen as the track is partially
you can sit and enjoy the views. Robbins Creek. exposed.
Then after a further 500m you’ll see a narrower path on your right that leads to Big From Port Douglas, drive along the Cook Highway to Wangetti. Just after
mowbray falls Mowbray Falls which should have a few logs in front of it. From here it’s about 2k Hartley’s Creek take the rst right towards Hartley’s Creek Retreat and park just

to the falls which can get a bit steep in places, so allow about 50 minutes. We came
- 7 or 12k return here recently at the end of the wet season and it was pretty impressive to view from before it on the grass.

above. There’s a shallow stream to cool o before the falls if you need a quick
- 2.5hr or 4.5hrs refresher. Caution: Not that you would but the creek you just passed on the highway
Once you’re done and back on the main trail, it’s either a short 1.5k and relatively is not for swimming as there may be crocs present!
- moderate to hard at hike along the easier path to Black Mountain Road (if you’re lucky enough to

To continue or not to continue? … Venture beyond the Bump have a car waiting for you there) or you’ll complete the return 4.5k walk back down Take the clear path on the left of the retreat and continue past the white gate. As

Track bench will give you the option of the 12k return walk to Big the Bump track to Mowbray. this track is in the Macalister Range National Park, it has a slightly di erent terrain

Mowbray Falls (approx. 4-5hrs). and micro-climate to the rest of Port Douglas and The Daintree. You may nd that
it’s a bit drier and less humid with a savannah woodland, which makes a change!
However, it’s much easier to get to the falls from the other end After about half an hour or so you’ll reach Flat Rock which is signed. You can stop
of Bump Track which starts on Black Mountain Road. Pop Bump hartleys creek falls here to refresh, take a dip, or pitch up with a picnic. If staying, try crossing the creek
Track in your map’s app, and it takes about 40 minutes to drive there - 8k return
from Port Douglas but it’s a scenic route through Julatten. at the narrow section and continue upstream where you’ll come to a few small pools
and a mini fall. Have fun exploring the area and see if you can spot turtles lurking in
From there, it’s only a 7km return walk to Big Mowbray Falls (about - 3hrs return the water. Otherwise, turn left and jog on.
2.5 hours) and you don’t have to tackle that mammoth hill from the - moderate
Mowbray end. In another half hour you’ll spur down towards the rocks that lead to Hartley’s Falls.
Blazed during its former logging days, Hartley’s Creek is one of the easier longer Once there, take a left and continue for 200m until you reach it. If you’re here in
walks near Port Douglas that doesn’t require much hard graft and leads to a the wet season, then the waterfall should be pumping - enjoy your hiker’s reward
Did you know? waterfall grand nale. It tends to get busier with Cairns locals and is regularly and feel free to take a dip! No bathers? Too bad, but if there’s no-one else there …

is signi cant trail led to the creation of Port Douglas. enjoyed by hikers, bikers, couples and families. go wild!
Aussie bushman Christie Palmerston blazed this path in After a predominantly uphill 1.9k trek (with some downhill) along a well-worn
1877 to connect Port Dougie – or Island Point as it was footpath, you’ll arrive to a rocky gorge named ‘Flat Rock’, which is often the end

called - to the Hodgkinson gold elds on the Atherton point for families attempting this hike with young children. For those continuing to
Tablelands (now the Mareeba Shire). Hartleys Creek Falls Hartley’s Creek Falls, it’s another 1.4k.
PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 77