Things to do

Camping and accommodation

Camping

Camping is not permitted in Mount Whitfield Conservation Park.

Other accommodation

There is a range of holiday accommodation in and around Cairns. For more information see the tourism information links.

Walking

Four linked circuit walks—Red, Blue, Green and Yellow arrow—ascend the slopes of the Whitfield Range, providing views over the city and to the north. The tracks are popular with joggers and, particularly the Red Arrow circuit, can be busy at times. Please be courteous to others using these tracks.

All walks are strenuous. Only fit walkers should tackle the Blue Arrow circuit and should allow plenty of time to return before it gets dark. Wear sensible clothes, walking shoes or boots and carry plenty of water—water is not available on the tracks.

The Red and Blue Arrow circuits start from trail heads on Collins Avenue, Edge Hill—one near the Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre and one to the east of the Tanks Art Centre. The Green Arrow starts towards the top of the Blue Arrow loop, ending at Bel Air Drive, Whitfield. The Yellow Arrow starts on Aeroglen Drive, Aeroglen and also joins up to the Blue Arrow circuit track. For a map and further details about  the walking tracks see the Cairns Regional Council brochure: A guide to the walking tracks of Mount Whitfield Conservation Park.

Picnic and day-use areas

There are picnic shelters at the top of the Red Arrow circuit and at the lookout 600m from the beginning of the Blue Arrow circuit. The nearby Flecker Gardens and Centenary Lakes also provide opportunities for picnicking.

Viewing wildlife

Mount Whitfield is a good place for birdwatching. The first part of the track is a favourite hangout for two interesting ground-dwelling birds—the Australian brush-turkey and the orange-footed scrubfowl. Buff-breasted paradise-kingfishers may be seen in the summer months and shy noisy pittas may be spotted in the denser, quieter rainforest sections. Listen for their distinctive 'walk-to-work' call.

Red-legged pademelons (small wallabies) browse in the forest, and swamp and agile wallabies are sometimes seen.

Read more about the nature, culture and history of Mount Whitfield Conservation Park.