A full day walk for fit and experienced walkers only, the Dalrymple Gap walking track is steep in sections. There may be fallen trees and vegetation to negotiate, logs to scramble over and multiple creek crossings with wet and slippery rocks. The track follows the route of a road built in the 1860s, that roughly followed the track taken by Aboriginal people across the Cardwell Range.

The track can be walked in either direction, and is best done as a one-way walk to allow time to enjoy the beauty of Dalrymple Creek and the historic features of the track.

You will need to arrange for a vehicle to meet you at the opposite end of the walk.

Alternatively, short walks that return you to your car are available from either end of the walking track.

• Read more about the nature, culture and history of the track.

Track notes

The following notes are written from the northern end of the track. Reverse the notes if starting from the south.

Damper Creek to the stone-pitched pipe bridge (2km)

From the car park, cross the rocky bed of Damper Creek and climb the slope to the historic stone-pitched pipe bridge. Notice the change from open, sunlit woodland to the denser closed rainforest. Look where the banks were excavated to widen the road. For your safety, and to avoid eroding the bridge earthworks, please remain on the main track.

The pipe bridge is a good turn-around point for walkers wanting a short return walk from the northern end of Dalrymple Gap walking track – see the Dalrymple Gap walking track map (PDF, 444.1KB) .

Stone-pitched pipe bridge to palm grove (200m)

From the bridge, it is a 5min walk through rainforest to a gap in the range. As you walk down the steep slope, imagine how difficult it was for wagons to climb and descend. Further along the track you will see a grove of magnificent palms. There are 4 palm types—lawyer vine, Alexandra, solitaire and fan.

Palm grove to Dalrymple Creek grave (1km)

Continue downhill and pass an old timber bridge with its huge logs and protruding bolts. These steep slopes were once a struggle for people and wagons going up and down the range. As you cross the clear, flowing waters of Dalrymple Creek, look to the left for a pile of stones, thought to be an old grave. Stories abound about its origin. Folklore has it that a mailman found some human bones in the creek in 1882 and buried them here.

Grave to final Dalrymple Creek crossing (5km)

As you leave the grave, notice a large strangler fig on the bank to the right. The hollowed interior is all that remains of the original host tree. Remain on the track to avoid damaging the fig’s roots.

The track then crosses the creek several times. Here wagon creek-crossings, track excavations, bank cuttings, blasting drill holes and exotic fruit trees remain as evidence of past travellers. Notice the reduction in the height and density of the forest. A creek bank lined with flaky-barked, kanuka box trees (Tristaniopsis exiliflora) marks the last Dalrymple Creek crossing.

Dalrymple Creek crossing (1km from the Dalrymple Creek car park) is a good turn-around point for walkers wanting a short return walk from the southern end of Dalrymple Gap walking track – see the Dalrymple Gap walking track map (PDF, 444.1KB) .

Dalrymple Creek crossing to car park (2km)

As you leave the rainforest-lined creek the track winds through dry eucalypt forest before reaching the car park.

Getting there and getting around

• Girringun National Park and surrounds map (PDF, 1.4MB)
• Dalrymple Gap walking track map (PDF, 444.1KB)

The Dalrymple Gap walking track can be accessed by conventional vehicle from both the northern and southern sides of the Cardwell Range.

Northern access

Turn west off the Bruce Highway at the Dalrymple Gap walking track sign, 13km south of Cardwell near Damper Creek crossing. From here it is 1km on an unsealed road to the carpark.

Southern access

The southern end of the track can be accessed via 2 routes from Ingham.

Travel 9km west of Ingham to Trebonne, along Abergowrie Road. Continue on this road for another 18km before turning right into Elphinstone Pocket Road. After 4km turn left at the sign for Broadwater, Abergowrie State Forest.

Alternatively, travel 2km north of Ingham and turn left off the Bruce Highway at Hawkins Creek Road (just north of the Herbert River). Travel 26km along Hawkins Creek Road. Turn right at the sign for Broadwater, Abergowrie State Forest.

These routes converge just outside the state forest boundary. Travel 1km before turning right where signposted for the Dalrymple Gap walking track. The carpark is a further 4km. The last 5km of road is unsealed, but can be accessed using a conventional vehicle.

Heavy vehicles use the access roads to Broadwater and the southern end of the Dalrymple Gap walking track. Please use caution when travelling in this area and obey all signs. Sudden flooding during the wet season (December to April), or during or after times of heavy rain, can close access roads and the walking track. See QLD traffic for information about local road conditions. Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Wheelchair accessibility

The Dalrymple Gap walking track is not wheelchair accessible.

Staying safe

Walkers must be responsible for their own safety. Consider your ability and the track conditions carefully before setting out.

• Carry at least one form of communication equipment. Satellite phones and Personal Location Beacons (PLBs) are the most effective in this area. There is no mobile phone coverage.
• In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000). Download the Triple Zero emergency app—it could save your life.
• This track is for fit and experienced walkers only.
• Carry adequate drinking water.
• Dalrymple Creek floods after heavy rain. Never attempt to cross flooded creeks.
• Take care crossing riverbeds—the rocks can be slippery.
• Sunlight can fade quickly in a rainforest. Start early enough to complete the walk before dusk.
• Avoid stinging trees. These plants are found at rainforest edges and alongside the tracks. They grow to 4m high and have large, heart-shaped leaves with serrated edges. Do not touch these plants as it will almost certainly result in a very painful sting. If stung, and symptoms are severe, seek medical advice.
• Leeches are common along the track. Wear protective clothing and insect repellent for protection against stings, scratches and insect bites.
• Cassowaries live in some areas. Never approach or feed these animals and remember to Be CassoWARY.
• Protect yourself from the sun. Wear sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a long-sleeved shirt, even on cloudy days.
• Detour around snakes. Never provoke them.
• Inform someone of your itinerary including starting and finishing times.
• Stay on the walking track at all times.

Before you visit

The Dalrymple Gap walking track, Girringun National Park is generally accessible from May to October. The track is closed for the wet season each year between January and March (depending on weather conditions) when rising creeks and fallen trees make the walk unsafe.

Check park alerts and QLD traffic for information about local road conditions.

For your safety, walk in daylight hours only.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Dalrymple Gap safely and Walk with care.