West Mulgrave Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls I have seen in Far North Queensland.
This hike requires a reasonably high level of fitness as it requires walking up a 40 degree mountain ridge for almost 1 kilometre, good knowledge and understanding of direction, stinging trees, creek crossings be ready to get caught by wait-a-while and wet on creek crossings.
The track is roughly 5.25km one-way and will take anywhere from 2-3hrs one-way depending on water level for creek crossings, trees fallen on the track and walking ability on very steep sections.
It is advised to take a machete or secateurs to clear fallen trees and wait-a-while on the track. Besides this the falls have beautiful crystal clear waters with two creek crossings and the falls pool itself.
Getting There:
The entrance of the walk begins on the road to Mount Bartle Frere from Topaz Road/Old Cairns Track, 7km after you turn off the Old Cairns Track to Mount Bartle Frere start you pass a large open cattle field on the left you will see a National Parks sign that says "Wooroonooran National Park, Tableland Section" (-17.366967, 145.752707) the entrance is in the bush land about 10m behind this, you should see pink ribbon.
The track starts of well marked with pink ribbon as you walk through the rainforest as you slowly decline from about 720m above sea level to 620m over about 2.5km, during this you mostly follow an old logging trail keeping close as you walk in cool rainforest below the canopy.
From here you begin the decent down the ridge from 620m to 380m over a kilometre of very steep downhill walking this equates to every 4m walked you are dropping 1m in altitude, watch your step at all times as after rain it can be very slippery on roots, leaves, loose dirt & vines sitting on the ground.
Once at the bottom you come to your first creek crossing you will notice the pink ribbon down stream of the flowing creek, the best way across is the head to the small island in the middle which doesn't require getting too wet. Depending on how much rain has fallen your best bet is to just walk straight across to the other side and follow the pink ribbon.
Once out of the creek follow the ribbon through the rainforest again, keep a close eye out as it can seem to disappear from you at times make sure to watch out for stinging tree in this area between the two creek crossings as some could be seen where trees had fallen. This path winds around for about 700m until you get to the next creek crossing.
Again check and make sure you can spot the pink ribbon on the other side of the creek to make sure you are on the right path and head the correct way once you cross the creek. Please be careful after rain this creek flows very fast and safety should be taken as the rocks are slippery. I'm not sure of the best path to advise to cross this creek as it is very dependent on the current rain dumping in the area. Expect to get wet though I imagine. We passed this creek after alot of rain had fallen in the area with water crossing ranging from hips at the minimum to almost armpit height in areas.
Once across follow the pink ribbon you're about 500m from the falls, this time you will notice you are walking upstream of this creek. Along this section of the track multiple trees had fallen across the track and a machete was required to cut paths through the trees fallen, always make sure to find the pink ribbon if the track isn't distinct or trees have fallen across before making your own path or walking the wrong way. Follow the pink ribbon and you will arrive at Far North Queensland's most amazing and secluded waterfall.
The track is roughly 5.25km one-way and will take anywhere from 2-3hrs one-way depending on water level for creek crossings, trees fallen on the track and walking ability on very steep sections.
It is advised to take a machete or secateurs to clear fallen trees and wait-a-while on the track. Besides this the falls have beautiful crystal clear waters with two creek crossings and the falls pool itself.
Getting There:
The entrance of the walk begins on the road to Mount Bartle Frere from Topaz Road/Old Cairns Track, 7km after you turn off the Old Cairns Track to Mount Bartle Frere start you pass a large open cattle field on the left you will see a National Parks sign that says "Wooroonooran National Park, Tableland Section" (-17.366967, 145.752707) the entrance is in the bush land about 10m behind this, you should see pink ribbon.
The track starts of well marked with pink ribbon as you walk through the rainforest as you slowly decline from about 720m above sea level to 620m over about 2.5km, during this you mostly follow an old logging trail keeping close as you walk in cool rainforest below the canopy.
From here you begin the decent down the ridge from 620m to 380m over a kilometre of very steep downhill walking this equates to every 4m walked you are dropping 1m in altitude, watch your step at all times as after rain it can be very slippery on roots, leaves, loose dirt & vines sitting on the ground.
Once at the bottom you come to your first creek crossing you will notice the pink ribbon down stream of the flowing creek, the best way across is the head to the small island in the middle which doesn't require getting too wet. Depending on how much rain has fallen your best bet is to just walk straight across to the other side and follow the pink ribbon.
Once out of the creek follow the ribbon through the rainforest again, keep a close eye out as it can seem to disappear from you at times make sure to watch out for stinging tree in this area between the two creek crossings as some could be seen where trees had fallen. This path winds around for about 700m until you get to the next creek crossing.
Again check and make sure you can spot the pink ribbon on the other side of the creek to make sure you are on the right path and head the correct way once you cross the creek. Please be careful after rain this creek flows very fast and safety should be taken as the rocks are slippery. I'm not sure of the best path to advise to cross this creek as it is very dependent on the current rain dumping in the area. Expect to get wet though I imagine. We passed this creek after alot of rain had fallen in the area with water crossing ranging from hips at the minimum to almost armpit height in areas.
Once across follow the pink ribbon you're about 500m from the falls, this time you will notice you are walking upstream of this creek. Along this section of the track multiple trees had fallen across the track and a machete was required to cut paths through the trees fallen, always make sure to find the pink ribbon if the track isn't distinct or trees have fallen across before making your own path or walking the wrong way. Follow the pink ribbon and you will arrive at Far North Queensland's most amazing and secluded waterfall.
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| West Mulgrave Falls |
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| Mulgrave Falls - Altitude of Walk |
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| Mulgrave Falls Walk |
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| Base of the Falls |
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| Top of West Mulgrave Falls |