Swimming at the top of Stoney Creek Falls on Smiths Track Cairns

Explore FNQ

Jun 3

If you like your walks gradual, easing yourself into a state of exertion then the Smith’s Track is NOT for you.

Think Glacier Rock on steroids and you have some concept of what this track has in store for you…

**Dreaming of finding the top of the falls**

Of course you can try it coming down from the top of the mountain, starting at Speewah Campground and dropping into Stoney Creek Falls gorge, but gluttons for punishment will enjoy starting at the bottom, from Stoney Creek Road in Kamerunga.

**Smith’s Trailhead starts just after the parking bay 1/2 way along Stoney Creek Rd**

**Look for the sign on the left hand side of the road as you drive in on Stoney Creek Rd**

Once you start the climb don’t expect a break until 20/30-minutes in (dependent on how fit you are). This walk feels pretty grueling initially as the steepness of the ridge appears unrelenting. Thankfully you hit a bit of a break 30-minutes in before it starts to climb again.

When we went up, loose rocks and freshly wiper-snipped grass lay beneath our feet, a great sign that this track is maintained regularly, but it added to the slipperiness of the path and made our descent extra fun (NOT!!).

**The ridge line walk gives you some good views out to Cairns & beyond**

Thanks to the steepness of the path your ascent is quick and you soon swap rainforest for open sclerophyll forest. Somewhere along the route you even cross the Kuranda Railway line, hidden beneath a tunnel underfoot. It’s not long before you can look directly across to Glacier Rock such is the steepness of your ascent.

**It doesn’t take long until you reach the height of Glacier Rock**

Up higher, on top of the ridge tall Kauri trees stand impressively amongst the casuarina trees (native pines) and native wattles were in full flower when we walked in (late Autumn/end of May).

**Toby’s Lookout gives you views of Caravonica & the Coral Sea**

At Toby’s Lookout you can catch a glimpse of Caravonica and the coral sea beyond. Cairns however is obscured by trees at this point. As you drop back into the valley where Stoney Creek cuts through, it’s worth taking a plunge in the pools that lay above Stoney Creek falls.

**There are plenty of pools to chose to dip into at Stoney Creek**

Unfortunately its difficult to get to the actual pool at the top of the iconic Stoney Creek Falls but the stream beforehand gives you plenty of options for a dip which is welcomed after such a BIG climb in.

**Not quite the top of Stoney Creek Falls BUT good enough**

From here choose whether to loop around and do Glacier Rock OR choose a shorter loop and do the Kauris/Yalbogie track, past giant kauri pines and old mining sites and track back to your car (see the map at the end of this article). If you choose the later you’ve still got that ridge track to look forward to so be prepared to work an entirely different set of muscles on the way down.

**You get views of Stoney Creek gorge as well as out towards Cairn’s northern suburbs**

For us the loop around to Glacier Rock is appealing and something we’ll try when we have some more time up our sleeves, this time however we had to pick kids up from school…

NOTE: The kids did not come with us on this walk!

Good Things to Know:

This was once part of a network of trails that the Djabugay Aboriginal people used to travel up from the coast to the tablelands. They used the tracks in this area for trade, seasonal food gathering and to visit ceremonial sites
The track was one of the main routes used by early European settlers (gold miners, cattle drovers and railway workers) to open up the hinterland and connect it with the coast. The Douglas track is a historic trail and along with the Smiths track and the McDonalds track makes up a network of walking tracks through the Barron Gorge National Park.
The track is marked by orange arrows placed on trees every 20m or so.
It took us 3½ hours return to do this walk (and we weren’t rushing).
The best time to do any hiking in Cairns is during the winter months (April – September)
There are many options for longer walks along the Douglas Track. See the map below OR Click HERE for more details.
Take plenty of drinking water, sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent and wear sensible walking shoes.
Be wary of stinging trees (plants with heart shaped leaves). Do NOT touch. Click HERE for more details.
This area is a National Park so dogs aren’t welcome.• Keep to the tracks, supervise children and stay clear of the cliff edges even if it is a wicked photo opportunity.

Have you tried to hike to the top of Stoney Creek Falls? Are you keen to take on Smiths Track?

Love Walking? Try these other tracks around Cairns:

Glacier Rock Lookout Cairns - Where have all the penguins gone?
4 Quick Climbs around Cairns for some Cool Views
Great Walking Tracks in Cairns for views - Yellow Arrow Track
4 Big Climbs for Cairns Views