Great Walks
Whether you decide on a short, full-day, overnight or extended walk, The Whitsunday Great Walk and the new Ngaro Sea Trail offer a rare visitor experience that few have ever partcipated in.
Walk highlights Enjoy a different Whitsunday experience and escape to the tropical refuge of the Conway Range. The Whitsunday Great Walk takes you on a 30km journey through Conway State Forest, starting at Brandy Creek, and finishing at Airlie Beach. Highlights of the Whitsunday Great Walk include wandering through majestic tropical rainforest, relaxing by seasonal creeks, and looking beyond coastal townships to the Whitsunday Islands. Use your senses to watch for the blue flash of a Ulysses butterfly, smell lemon myrtle flowers in summer and listen for the distinctive call of the Wompoo Fruit Dove. With tracks of varying distance and difficulty, everyone can explore the Conway Range. The entire Great Walk is a 30km three-day escape, with two campsites along the way, but you can choose shorter walks that are linked to the main track. Two short walks can be accessed from Brandy Creek and one from Airlie Beach. Camp sites are located along the Great Walk. The two main camps, Repulse Creek and Bloodwood, have access to toilets and drinking water. It is essential to book campsites in advance and obtain a camping permit from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) or the Whitsunday Information Centre (1300 717 407) before you begin. Please see below for more details on walkers' camps and permits. The Whitsunday Great Walk opened at the end of August 2004. Getting there Brandy Creek from Airlie Beach Travel west along Shute Harbour Road for about 10km and turn left onto Brandy Creek Road. Follow this road onto Forestry Road through to the carpark. This is the start of the Whitsunday Great Walk. Brandy Creek from the Bruce Highway One kilometre north of Proserpine (or 65km south of Bowen), turn off the highway onto Shute Harbour Road. Travel 12km before turning right onto Brandy Creek Road. Follow this road, and then Forestry Road through to the carpark. Climate The region has a well-defined dry season during winter. Average temperatures range between 10°C to 20°C. Between January and March, high humidity, strong seasonal rainfall and average temperatures of 20°C to 30°C make walking less comfortable. Try to walk between April and September, when conditions are less likely to be too wet or too dry. The track will be closed during the wet season from the beginning of February to the end of March and at other times if there is no drinking water available along the track. Check the weather before you go and contact QPWS (13 13 04) to make sure the Great Walk will be open. The track Brandy Creek to Repulse Creek Camp. 8.3km (3.5 - 4.5 hours). There are two choices to begin the Great Walk. You can stay on the main track, an old logging road through lush rainforest, or you can set out on the Kingfisher Circuit. This option will add at least 45 minutes to your day's walk and rejoins the main track after sections of steep stairs. Continue to the Wompoo Walk junction, where you can continue on the main track, or turn left to walk to a seasonal creek. Allow at least an hour for this diversion. Pass Impulse Creek and notice the change in vegetation. Hardy, brown tulip oaks replace the moisture-loving Mackay tulip oaks, and tough, woody vines replace delicate climbers. At the Repulse Creek Camp sign, you can choose to camp at one of the rainforest campsites or continue 100m further along the track to a sunnier spot. If you wish to walk further today, there are bush camps without facilities 1.8km and 3km ahead. Repulse Creek Camp to Bloodwood Camp. 11.5km (5 - 6 hours). Begin day two with a gentle walk through drier forest. Cross two creeks and enjoy the shade provided by rainforest plants growing in the creek's surroundings. The track becomes steep as you follow a ridge to the summit of Mt Hayward. Enjoy the cool breezes and rewarding view from the top. Continue along the ridge to Bloodwood Camp where you can enjoy views beyond Jubilee Pocket to the Whitsunday Islands. Bloodwood Camp to Airlie Beach. 8.5km (3.5 - 4.5 hours) Follow the coastal ridge towards Airlie Beach through low vegetation tangled with vines. This forest survives on rocky soils, and endures the seasonal hot sun and occasional tropical cyclones. Tackle a steep climb through low vine thicket and then descend through some taller forest before coming to a junction in the track. Here, you can turn left to extend the walk by about 1.5 hours and be rewarded with views beyond Cannonvale to the Dryander Range and the scattering of Whitsunday Islands. Descend into Airlie Beach and take time to enjoy your surroundings of grasstrees, cycads and gum trees. If the grasstrees are flowering, look for various honeyeater species coming in to feed. Two short walks can be accessed from the Brandy Creek carpark. Kingfisher Circuit. 2km return (45mins - 1.5 hours) A moderate level of fitness is required for steep sections. Be prepared for lots of stairs. Weave through giant strangler figs and tulip oaks decorated with basket ferns. As you relax by seasonal creeks, look for the brilliant blue flashes of Ulysses butterflies and listen for the squeak of grey fantail birds. Walk uphill past bright palm trees and return to the carpark on an old logging road. Wompoo Walk. 7km return (3 - 4 hours) A moderate level of fitness is required. Be prepared for uphill sections and shallow creek crossings after rain. Stroll down an old logging road through tall, lush rainforest and notice seedlings fighting for light in small clearings. After veering left, you will reach a calm creek lined with Alexandra Palms. You might catch a glimpse of a little Kingfisher and hear the deep, resonating calls of Wompoo Fruit Doves. Walkers' camps and facilities Two walkers' camps are located along the Great Walk. Both have access to toilets and drinking water. Storage boxes are also provided so you can keep food away from wildlife. Smaller bush camps are located between the two main camps if you wish to walk further on the first day. There are no facilities at these camps, but water tanks are provided at four different points along the track. Camping outside designated areas is not permitted. Cost and bookings The following camping fees apply for the Whitsunday Great Walk: Adult $5.00 per night Child (five years or older) $5.00 per night Family of four to eight (one or two adults with children aged five to seventeen (maximum eight in a group) $19.40 per night Walkers' camps must be booked in advance. Click Here to make an Online booking telephone: 13 13 04, 8am - 6pm, Monday to Friday. For more information: QPWS Whitsunday District Office Telephone (07) 4946 7022
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