The Glacier Rock hike is a brief out-and-back path providing magnificent coastal views from Cairns to the Northern Seashores. The light climb as much as the 450M Glacier Rock lookout is a good guess for catching wonderful dawn or sundown views close to Kuranda.
It appears that evidently wherever you stand in Cairns, the stark, naked face of Glacier rock stands uncovered towards the long-lasting rainforest backdrop.
For those who’re up for a brief, but rewarding hike close to Cairns or Kuranda, then the Glacier Rock hike is a wonderful selection. We determined to hit the path roughly an hour earlier than dawn in hopes of catching the dawn from the highest.
Glacier Rock Cairns, in addition to the opposite strolling tracks and trails within the Barron Gorge Nationwide park make up what was as soon as a vital community of Djabugay tracks. These tracks are vital to the indigenous neighborhood as they had been usfeul tracks for connecting the coast to the Tablelands.
Instructions to Glacier Rock Cairns
The Glacier Rock hike is positioned within the Barron Gorge Nationwide Park, with most entry factors beginning close to the Stoney Creek strolling observe.
The quick, 260M Glacier Rock observe branches from a fork on the Douglas Monitor. Which means for these wanting to only hike to the Glacier Rock lookout can have a few choices.
Possibility 1: Begin at Stoney Creek Automobile Park
Based mostly on the net path maps of the Barron Gorge, the perfect place to start out is from the Stoney Creek automotive park. From right here, take the Stoney Creek/Douglas trailhead, conserving proper and following indicators for Douglas Monitor.
This selection provides roughly 750M every approach because the observe connects near the beginning of the Douglas Monitor street trailhead (choice 2 under).
Possibility 2: Beginning From Douglas Monitor Street
The second choice for the place to start out the Glacier Rock hike is at a cul de sac on the finish of Douglas Monitor Street. This street is the final proper, simply earlier than the Stoney Creek automotive park.
There are a couple of spots to go away your automotive, and the trailhead is an unmarked entry observe into the bush simply to the left of a closed-off non-public driveway.
I’ve pinned the situation for the Glacier Rock begin level on the map under that will help you discover it.
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Glacier Rock Hike Distance
So, how far is Glacier Rock Cairns? The Glacier Rock strolling observe is roughly 5.9KM lengthy, accounting from an out-and-back from the Douglas Monitor from the Douglas Monitor Street trailhead.
Once more, for those who’re departing from the Stone Creek automotive park, add an additional 1.5KM for the return journey.
Glacier Rock Map
Under is a path mountain climbing map for the Stoney Creek space. You’ll see this map covers the Glacier Rock Monitor beginning close to Stoney Creek, in addition to different trails to Barron Falls, and even the Skyrail.
GPX Route
Under I’ve included a GPX file of the route that I took as much as the Glacier Rock Lookout from the top of Douglas Monitor Street, recorded utilizing my GPS watch. You’ll be able to obtain it and observe it in order for you. However, actually this observe is pretty straightforward to observe and it’s very laborious to get misplaced on the way in which.
GPX File: Obtain
My Strava: Go to
What to Anticipate on the Glacier Rock Strolling Monitor
Though a lot of this observe is an upward climb, the elevation acquire of 395M is unfold, which means that it’s extra of a mild ascent and never too steep.
First Part From Stoney Creek
Ranging from the Douglas Monitor street trailhead, you’ll enter a thick, bushy part with tall grass on both aspect of the observe simply earlier than reaching a makeshift plank bridge over a small gulley.
Quickly after, the observe results in a fork with a signpost, whereby you’ll must take the fitting path (Douglas Monitor). That is the purpose the place the observe joins to the Stoney Creek automotive park observe.
Quickly after the fork, the observe begins to climb, with a number of switchbacks turns as you make your approach as much as the ridge.
Douglas Monitor Rail Crossing
At roughly the midway mark, you’ll come to an overhead bridge which lets you cross the railway observe. Following this bridge, there’s a steep ascent up the steel staircase past the bridge.
RELATED: Pink Arrow, Blue Arrow Tracks Cairns – Mount Whitfield Loop
Breaking Out of the Bush
After one other quick switchback climb, the observe opens as much as an uncovered, grassy part providing more and more higher views earlier than reaching a flat part which serves as a powerline service observe.
Proceed on this large path to some extent the place the McDonald observe joins onto the Douglas Monitor. To your left can be a signpost indicating the ultimate stretch to the Glacier Rock lookout level.
RELATED: Kahlpahlim Rock Hike (Lambs Head) Cairns Mountaineering Information
Glacier Rock Lookout
Simply 260M from the fork and you should have reached Glacier Rock, marked by a signpost beside the cliffside lookout level.
From the Glacier Rock lookout, there are spanning views of the Cairns coast, together with the Northern Seashores, Cairns metropolis, the Barron River, Earl Hill, the Mount Whitfield Conservation Park, and the distant mountains of the Lamb Vary.
Cool Off at Stoney Creek
After taking within the dawn view from the Glacier Rock lookout, it’s time to return again to the carpark on the identical route that you simply got here in on.
For those who’re seeking to calm down then Stoney Creek, a refreshing swimming gap, makes the right spot. That is positioned simply across the nook at Stoney Creek Carpark.
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Cairns Lodging Information – The place to Keep
Planning a visit to Cairns and questioning the place to base your self? Under I’ve listed among the greatest choices close to Cairns Esplanade. I’ve additionally written a complete lodging information to Cairns, in addition to a complete Port Douglas Lodging information too.
Crystalbrook Riley – If luxurious and placement are what you’re after, you may’t beat the Crystalrbook Riley. That is the perfect 5-star resort in Cairns and options completely all the pieces you’d anticipate from a Crystalbrook resort.
Tip: Be certain to move as much as Rocco’s Bar on the prime of the Crystalbrook Riley for excellent views over Cairns!
Rydges Resort – This resort gives wonderful bang-for-buck by way of an epic keep for an honest worth! The placement is ideal, near the esplanade and options embrace three swimming swimming pools, two tennis courts, a jacuzzi, a health centre and even an award-winning restaurant.
Fitzroy Island Resort – For those who’d quite sleep out on one of many picturesque Nice Barrier Reef Islands, look no additional than the Fitzroy Island Resort. Whereas you may get out right here on a day journey, I extremely suggest spending the evening so that you get extra time to discover the reef, coral seashores and rainforest strolling trails.
Gilligan’s Backpackers – The most effective backpacker choice for an ideal vibe in Cairns is Gilligan’s Backpackers. That’s as a result of this one has a swimming pool, AC, an entire kitchen and an ideal widespread space to satisfy different travellers.
Extra Images From the Glacier Rock Hike
Listed below are some extra pictures of the hike to Glacier Rock Cairns to encourage your journey.
Extra Issues to do in Cairns
I hope that this fast information to mountain climbing to the Glacier Rock lookout has been helpful in planning out your Cairns actions.
For extra concepts on hikes, islands, waterfalls and different Cairns sights, be sure that to take a look at among the hyperlinks under. In any other case, take a look at my Cairns mountain climbing mega-post to seek out extra tropical strolling tracks and routes.
MY CAMERA AND PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT
For an inventory of all my advisable images gear (together with what I exploit and why) take a look at my information to digicam gear for journey.
For those who’d like to make use of any of the images on this web site, please go to my licensing web page to learn the way. I additionally promote skilled fine-art prints, go to my Print Retailer or contact me instantly for customs prints of any pictures on We Search Journey.
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