Davies Creek is one of the most popular places in the Atherton Tablelands (Far North Queensland) to camp, hike, mountain bike and see waterfalls. Continue reading for a full guide on recommendations and what to expect.

Where and How to Get There

Davies Creek Road is a short drive East of Mareeba on Highway 1. Davies Creek Road begins sealed, but be aware that you’ll need to travel on 8km of unsealed gravel road to reach Davies Creek Falls and even more to reach the Upper Davies Creek campsites. Though a 4WD isn’t necessary, at least having some vehicle clearance will help you get into some of the campsites.

Davies Creek Mountain Bike Tracks

Not far off the main highway, these shared trails were built for mountain bike riding but are available to walkers (walkers please be careful). Horse and trail bike riding are not permitted.

There is a large parking area available next to Davies Creek Road – you will see signage for the bike tracks here.

Davies Creek Bike Track

Davies Creek Camping

Davies Creek camping is separated into UPPER and LOWER camping.

The LOWER camp grounds are adjacent to the day use area – and are walk-in sites (tent, swag etc). There are toilets and picnic benches available in this area, as well as a few information boards. There are EIGHT designated spots for you to book through the Queensland National Park website.

Lower Davies Creek Camping

UPPER Davies Creek also offers EIGHT designated campsites that are accessible by vehicle. There are four different locations off Davies Creek Road – each with TWO sites, Each two sites share a common long-drop toilet. They are all located very close to Davies Creek. Be sure to watch the video at the start of this article for videos and images of the sites.

Davies Creek Camping

Here is a general idea of each site for your planning purposes:

SITE 1 – Fairly steep descent into space. A lot of uneven ground, but perhaps good for a campervan or tent/swag.

SITE 2 – Shares entry point with SITE 1. One of the best sites. Literally metres from the creek (ensure flooding or heavy rain predicted). Fire pit and a 50m walk to a nice set of cascades. Good area for a swim too. Flat area that could even fit a camper trailer (need reversing skills).

SITE 3 – Another top choice for site. You could potentially get a camper trailer or even caravan in here. Right next to the creek and fairly flat. This site (along with SITE 4) is also the start of the Turtle Rock hike – so you may have people coming and going nearby.

SITE 4 – We thought this was one of the worst sites… Shared entry with SITE 3 but most of this spot is uneven and not directly next to the creek.

SITE 5 – This is an awesome camp spot! Right next to the creek and quite a large area for a campervan and even camper trailer. This and SITE 6 also mark the start/end of the Turtle Rock loop so you may have hikers passing nearby.

SITE 6 – We do not recommend this site. You could fit a tent or small campervan here, but access is rough and most of the site is steep and awkward.

SITE 7 – This is a nice and secluded spot with a large enough flat area to get a camper trailer or small caravan in to with good reversing skills (remember the road is all unsealed, along with some potholes). It’s a bit further away from the river than all other sites, but still a nice and secluded spot.

SITE 8 – This site was our pick. It’s the most secluded and the section of the creek that it occupies is really nice. There is a fairly large area for parking. You could get a camper trailer in here (the entrance to the site is slightly steep).

Davies Creek Falls

This waterfall is one of the largest and most easily accessible waterfalls in the region. The circuit hike is only 1km, and even shorter if you only walk to the falls and back.

Davies Creek Falls

There is a decent sized pool at the top of the falls you can swim in – but please be careful after heavy rains because the water flows like crazy!

As you swim here, there will be a small infinity edge which looks over the valley and surrounding National Park.

Davies Creek Hiking

There are SIX main popular hikes that can be accessed from Davies Creek.

  1. Clohesy River Fig Tree Boardwalk
  2. Bunda Bibandji Rock
    Art walking track
  3. Davies Creek Falls circuit
  4. Turtle Rock circuit
  5. Kahlpahlim Rock
  6. Varch Creek trail

(Emerald Creek Falls, nearby, also provides a 2km walk)

Davies Creek Hiking

CLOHESY RIVER FIG TREE BOARDWALK

Grade 2

Distance: 300m return

Time: 20min

Details: This walk begins 9km along Clohesy River Road via the Kennedy Highway (9km north east of the intersection with Davies Creek Road or 10km south west of Kuranda). Access is only possible by four-wheel-drive vehicles.

This wheelchair-accessible boardwalk encircles the magnificent Clohesy River fig tree. Signs along the walk interpret the local rainforest environment.

Clohesy River Fig Tree

BUNDA BIDANDJI ROCK ART WALKING TRACK

Grade 3

Distance: 1.9km return

Time: allow 1hr walking time

Details: Follow Davies Creek Road for 2.5km and turn left down Bridle Creek Road. Follow Bridle Creek Road for 5km to the signposted turn-off to Bunda Bibandji rock art walking track. Access is only possible by four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Walk through an open forest dominated by pink bloodwood with an understorey carpet of grass trees. Along the way, look for tree identification labels for a number of species and learn the traditional names of these plants. The track gradually climbs up to granite outcrops where two rock art galleries depicting figures in red and yellow ochre are found. The track is suitable for most ages and fitness levels with some bushwalking experience recommended. The track has a compacted surface, short uphill sections and some steps.

Davies Creek Falls

DAVIES CREEK FALLS CIRCUIT TRAIL

Grade 3

Distance: 1.1km return

Time: 20min

Details: This circuit track begins in the car park, 2km past Lower Davies Creek camping area along Davies Creek Road. The marked trail leads to two lookouts. One provides a view back along the valley while the other overlooks Davies Creek Falls as it plunges 50m into the valley below. Please enjoy the views from the lookouts but remain behind the barriers at all times—deaths have occurred at this site.

From the lookout, the track continues alongside a tranquil section of the creek lined with paperbark trees, pandanus and banksias. The track then leads to a sandy creek-side picnic and swimming area, where platypus may be seen, and returns to the car park up a slope dotted with grass trees.

Turtle Rock Davies Creek

TURTLE ROCK CIRCUIT TRAIL

Grade 4

Distance: 8km return

Time: 3–4hr

Details: This is a difficult trail that should only be undertaken by fit and experienced walkers. It is best to start the walk early in the cool of the day. Never walk alone. Carry plenty of water and inform a reliable person of your plans.

This trail starts near the toilet block between camp sites 3 and 4 in Upper Davies Creek camping area. It passes through open eucalypt forest scattered with grass trees before climbing a ridge. The track becomes quite rough and steep with loose gravel in the final climb to the 936m summit. At the summit there are impressive boulders and spectacular views in all directions. The trail continues over the summit and descends via a different ridge, reaching and crossing Davies Creek between camp sites 5 and 6. This section of the walk is marked by orange markers on trees. A short walk along Davies Creek Road takes you back to where you started.

Lambs Head Kahlpahlim

KAHLPAHLIM ROCK CIRCUIT

Grade 5

Distance: 12km return

Time: 5-7hr

Details: At around 1,300m above sea level, Kahlpahlim Rock (traditional name is Walbabalbalim) is the highest point on the Lamb Range. The sheer size of the rock and the views over the Davies Creek catchment are impressive. Two steep but beautiful trails (Kahlpahlim Rock and Ridge trails) lead to the granite boulders of Kahlpahlim Rock. They converge near the top allowing hikers to walk the track as a circuit. See the table below for details.

These trails are well marked with orange trail markers but are difficult and should only be undertaken by fit and experienced walkers. Start the walk early, to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and allow time to return. It is not advisable to start the walk when the top of the mountain is covered in cloud or after wet weather. The best time to visit is in the drier months between September and November.

Access to the trail heads is seasonal and four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended. Carry at least 2–3L of drinking water per person—water is not available along the trails. Inform a reliable person of your plans.

Varch Creek Trail

VARCH CREEK TRAIL

Grade 4

Distance: 20km return

Time: All day

Details: This is a long distance rainforest trail that crosses over Lamb Range down into Emerald Creek, eventually meeting up with Mount Edith Road. It starts on the same track as the southern approach to Lamb’s Head – Kahlpahlim. There are obvious trail markers the entire way (yellow and for the main trail, blue markers for the lookout). The lookout is worth scrambling up as it’s the only spot you get a view – be mindful it is slippery and requires some delicate footwork to avoid disturbing the bryophytes (the moss) growing here. Recommended for experienced hikers. 

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Currently travelling Australia! Our dream is to complete the 'Big Lap", and we've learned quite quickly that we want to share it for all to experience. We hope this website helps you all plan your next adventure.

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