4 Quick climbs around Cairns for some Cool Views

Explore FNQCairns

Oct 3

[Updated October 2022]

I always like to gain some perspective of places that I visit.

**Grabbing a quick view of Cairns on the way down**

Cairns, my hometown, is no exception. I love the way the mountains meet the coastline, the azure waters of the Great Barrier Reef stretch forever into the horizon and the rainforest coats the surrounding hills with all their greenery. So here’s my list of 4 quick climbs around Cairns that will give you some cool views of the region:

1. Red Arrow

A popular workout track for many Cairns locals – It’s also a really nice rainforest/bush walk that encompasses some great views of Cairns city, its airport (trust me the kids love this) and northwards to the beaches.The Red Arrow track has two entrances. The main entrance is along Collins Ave – to the right of the Tanks Art Centre. The second entrance starts behind the Botanic Gardens Discovery Centre. Both tracks will take you to the start of the Red Arrow Circuit loop. It's a short, steep climb to the top where you'll find two lookouts.

The first lookout allows you views of the airport and the northern coast all the way to Double Island (off Palm Cove). The other lookout is another 2-3 minute climb which will give you an almost birds-eye view of the airport, the surrounding mangroves, the mouth of Barron River and a great view out to Green Island.

If you follow the circuit track clockwise you will grab some glimpses of Cairns city and the esplanade through the trees as you begin your descent. If you’re like many of the Red Arrow fanatics you will now continue to do this loop for at least 3-5 times, preferably running. If you are towing kids around the track you’ll probably make a B-line to the café at the Discovery Centre, or the Botanic Gardens Café (which is inside the Gardens) and treat yourself to a strong coffee and one of their legendary waffles.

Distance: less than 1km to the top.

Time: 20-30+ minutes to climb.

Difficulty: Steep and bumpy terrain with lots of steps.

If you keep walking a bit further into the main Edge Hill precinct (5-mins past Botanic Gardens) you'll find an assortment of popular eating cafes. Our favourites are Teddy and Noa for great coffee and particularly yummy food. Ozmosis is popular amongst the Red Arrow walking set and there are a number of other cafes and Japanese eats further along.

NOTE: If you're keen you can continue upwards and join the Yellow Arrow Circuit (click to read my blogpost) which will take you down the hill through a different type of forest (drier) to the bottom of the hill and then you can loop back around using the cycle path to where you started.

If you’re super keen you can continue onwards and upwards and do the Blue Arrow Circuit (6.6km/4-5 hours in total) – at the Mount Lumley lookout you can stop and enjoy views across the Barron River near Stratford and out towards the Northern Beach suburbs.

2. Earl Hill

Known to many in the Northern suburbs of Cairns as the Red Arrow of the north. This popular track has just been given an upgrade (Stage 1) and instead of the steep and slightly unrelenting climb up its spur it now winds up the slope with the occasional stairs - a little bit similar to the Yellow Arrow track in Cairns.

But don't be too deceived - if you're feeling fit and want a workout you can 'rejoin' the old track 2/3rds of the way up, 20/25 mins in (take the left path) and you'll still get a thorough workout (a bit like the Red Arrow). If you go right at the fork it's easier on the legs and takes you to the summit where the views overlook Trinity Beach to the north and Yorkeys Marina and beach to the south. Don’t expect a clear vision of Cairns city though. There’s too many trees and bush at the top to get a 360-degree view but the climb is still worth it. You can easily spot Green Island from up here.

Earl Hill is a popular exercise track for people who live in the neighbourhood so expect it to be busy before and after work hours. It’s also a favourite with dog-walkers and families - any children younger than 5 years however might prove hard work (or at least plan for plenty of breaks).

For those that love a real bush track and want to get off the normal exercise route then take the bush track that leads off to the right 1/2 way up (15 mins in). This will lead you towards Trinity Beach and Half Moon Bay. You'll get some even better views of Trinity Beach and some glimpses of Trinity Park suburbs and Yorkey's Marina. The track 'officially' ends at the lookout so you can backtrack OR continue on the old bush tracks. It sounds like Stage 3 will mean an upgrade of these bush tracks.

The new bush track leads to better views of Trinity Beach

Bush track on the right

Dogs are allowed

Some of the old bush tracks still remain

If you keep to the right (when you find the old track) you'll be spat out into the new housing lots that have sprung up around Trinity Park/Bluewater Estate AND you can access Half Moon Bay. If you go left when you have the opportunity the bush track follows the edge of the hill and then zig zags down to Trinity Beach (you need to keep a close eye on the orange tape that's around the trees).

**Earl Hill & Trinity Beach from the bush track**

Stage 3 of the walking track upgrade will include extra track upgrades so it may include these old bush tracks. That means Earl Hill summit track will eventually be connected to Half Moon Bay and Trinity Beach via a decent walkway. Great news for the residents of the northern beaches and anyone else wanting to explore the largest stretch of bushland remaining in the northern beaches of Cairns.

The entrance to the Earl Hill Summit Track is off Roberts Road in the Bluewaters Estate (near Trinity Park). You'll find some parking along the roadside or park at the Bluewater Marina and walk back along Roberts Road, across the Moon River bridge to the bottom of the track.

Distance: 1km to the top.

Time: 30+ minutes to climb.

Difficulty: Medium.

3. Skypark (AJ Hackett) Bungy Tower

As you hop out of your car at the parking spot below you can already hear the screams and shrieks emitting from the Bungy tower in the rainforest above. There’s a wide concrete path to follow until you reach the bottom of the Bungy tower. Here you’ll find a fabulous setting with music pumping at full volume, a fully licensed bar and café, a waterfall and billabong, and people dropping out of the sky on a regular basis.

To get to the top of the Bungy tower you’ll need to climb a stairwell that is not for the feint hearted. Those with a fear of heights will probably be better staying barside. If you have young children you definitely need to keep close tabs on them if you decide to go to the top. If you want to keep them below sometimes there is a bouncy castle available that will provide the kids with some extra entertainment.

The view from the top of the Bungy Tower is well worth climbing all those steps. You can see straight out over the Northern Beach suburbs of Cairns, from Machans through to Yorkeys Knob. You also get a birds eye view of the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park where the recent UCI Mountain Bike World Cup (click to read my blog) was held. And of course, if you’re really keen you can take the ‘quick’ way back down and squeeze in a Bungy or Giant Jungle Swing (click to read my blog) too.

Distance: 50m to the top of the Bungy Tower.

Time: 10-20+ minutes from carpark.

Difficulty: Steep - concrete path and then stairway.

4. Copperlode Dam Road

This one is for the cheats amongst us that really don’t want to do too much ‘climbing’. Take a drive up Lake Morris Road (off Reservoir Rd) towards Copperlode Dam and you will soon reach a small carpark by the side of the road. Park your car here and you will enjoy some fine views of the city of Cairns. The road itself is narrow and popular amongst cyclist and walkers so remember to drive slowly.

At the first lookout you’ll find there is a gate that shuts the road off to Copperlode Dam after a certain time of the day. This is the perfect opportunity to hop out and meander up the gentle sloping road on foot and enjoy other lookout points along the way - plus it beats trying to look out at the views whilst you are driving along a narrow curvy road.

You’ll see across the northern section of Cairns city, and out towards the Cairns harbour and inlet. You'll also spot a number of waterfalls along the side of the road during the wet season.

Time: 10-15 minutes by car from Cairns city.

Difficulty: Neglible unless you start off walking or cycling from the bottom of Lake Morris Road.

If you have time continue up the road to Copperlode Dam (click to read my blog) and check out the main water source for Cairns City.

Good things to know:

The best time to do any climbing in Cairns is during the winter months (April – September)
Yes, during the wet season it is preferable to do any of the above activities early in the morning or early evening – ie. the cooler parts of the day
Water, snacks, sunscreen, mosquito repellant and sensible walking shoes are recommended for any climb in the tropics.