The Turtle Rock Hike (Turtle Head Rock) is a circuit strolling monitor positioned within the Dinden Nationwide Park close to Cairns, Queensland. The hike contains a spectacular boulder lookout, mild rock scrambling and a simple river crossing.
The Turtle Rock Hike within the Dinden Nationwide Park is a good morning or afternoon circuit loop for these searching for a fast journey from Cairns. I walked this circuit for a dawn journey with my dad as a fast morning microadventure from Cairns and I’d extremely advocate it.
On this information, I’ll element how one can get to the trailhead, what to anticipate on the monitor and I’ll additionally embody just a few images that I hope will encourage your journey!
The place is the Turtle Rock Hike
The Turtle Rock Circuit is positioned within the Dinden Nationwide Park, roughly 61 kilometres from Cairns on the Tablelands aspect of the Lamb Vary. The trailhead is accessed from close by the node 3 and 4 campsites on Davies Creek Street. This street is unsealed however is well-graded. A 4WD is right however you’ll make it with a daily 2WD sedan or hatchback.
This part of the Dinden Nationwide Park shares protection with the Davies Creek Nationwide Park and options eucalypt forest and several other freshwater creeks and waterfalls.
There are various adventures available on this distant space of Tropical Far North Queensland, many who occur to be a few of my private favourites. These embody the Kahlpahlim Rock Hike (Lambs Head), Davies Creek Falls and the close by Emerald Creek Falls.
Tips on how to Get To the Trailhead From Cairns
To get to the Turtle Rock circuit path, you will have to take the Captain Cook dinner Freeway north in direction of Smithfield. Then, take a left on Kennedy Freeway, which climbs the MacAlister Vary to succeed in Kuranda. Proceed previous Kuranda for one more 22 kilometres, the place you will notice an indication for “Davies Creek”.
Flip left on Davies Creek Street and observe this unsealed street for 10 kilometres, passing Davies Creek Falls in your left. The trailhead entry level is on the best. Hold an eye fixed out for the “tenting nodes 3 & 4” indicators.
This campsite is a large clearing simply beside the creek and the Turtle Rock Circuit trailhead begins right here.
Associated: 14 Superior Issues to do in Kuranda, Australia
The Turtle Rock Circuit
The Turtle Rock hike is finest accomplished in an anti-clockwise circuit. This fashion, you’ll smash the steepest a part of the hike early on, leaving a delicate decline again to the campsite. The monitor is worn and simple to observe. There are additionally orange arrows on the timber that mark the route. So, you shouldn’t have any drawback discovering your approach.
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Mountaineering Instructions
Upon arriving on the campsite nodes point out above, stroll within the course of the apparent out of doors bathroom cubicle. The Turtle Rock hike begins simply 20 metres from right here.
The primary part of the climb to the Turtle Head Rock begins with a light-weight incline by way of dry eucalypt forest. After a brief stroll, the monitor steepens and also you’ll must do a bit of sunshine boulder scrambling. This part is fairly steep nevertheless it doesn’t final lengthy. Earlier than you already know it, you’ll attain Turtle Rock, simply 2.2 kilometers from the beginning level.
If you first strategy the rock it’s instantly obvious as to the place the Turtle Rock hike’s title got here from. The big boulder resembles a turtle with its head out, basking on the sting of the cliff face.
It’s attainable to scramble to the highest of Turtle Head Rock for epic views over the pristine Dinden Nationwide Park. Simply watch out as its a sheer drop on the opposite aspect.
After taking within the view and resting the legs, observe the orange arrows to the left (taking a look at Turtle Rock), and benefit from the light stroll again.
Close to the top of the path, you’ll must cross “Varch Creek”, which isn’t greater than a jump over the slender part. The path then again on Davies Creek Street, only a few hundred metres to the best of the campsite. Simply proceed following the arrows left and also you’ll quickly arrive again on the camp node.
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Turtle Rock GPX File
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Extra Images of the Turtle Rock Hike Cairns
Listed below are some extra images from the strolling monitor and the boulder viewpoint for dawn.
Cairns Lodging Information – The place to Keep
Planning a visit to Cairns and questioning the place to base your self? Beneath I’ve listed a few of the finest 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 site are what you’re after, you may’t beat the Crystalrbook Riley. That is the perfect 5-star resort in Cairns and options completely every little thing you’d anticipate from a Crystalbrook resort.
Tip: Make certain to move as much as Rocco’s Bar on the prime of the Crystalbrook Riley for nice views over Cairns!
Rydges Resort – This lodge presents glorious bang-for-buck when it comes to an epic keep for an honest value! The situation is ideal, near the esplanade and options embody three swimming swimming pools, two tennis courts, a jacuzzi, a health centre and even an award-winning restaurant.
Fitzroy Island Resort – In the event you’d moderately sleep out on one of many picturesque Nice Barrier Reef Islands, look no additional than the Fitzroy Island Resort. Whereas you will get out right here on a day journey, I extremely advocate spending the evening so that you get extra time to discover the reef, coral seashores and rainforest strolling trails.
Gilligan’s Backpackers – The very best backpacker choice for a terrific vibe in Cairns is Gilligan’s Backpackers. That’s as a result of this one has a swimming pool, AC, a whole kitchen and a terrific widespread space to fulfill different travellers.
Extra Hikes and Adventures Close to Cairns
In the event you loved this fast information to the Turtle Rock Hike from Cairns, ensure to take a look at some extra weblog posts I’ve written for extra Cairns journey concepts. If in case you have any extra questions or path updates, or suggestions for the weblog, please let me know by leaving a remark.
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