Emerald Creek Falls

The Lodge Event Hub hosted a free trip to Emerald Creek Falls on Saturday 6 October, 2018 for the students of Cairns Student Lodge Accommodation. Emerald Creek Falls is located in the Dinden West Forest Reserve, just 35 minutes from the Lodge.

The trip began at 9.15am from the Student Centre (outside the Dining Hall).

Hamish was the nominated driver for the day and drove the Cairns Student Lodge bus with the 15 excited residents.

How to get to Emerald Creek Falls

It was a quick drive up the Kuranda Range Road. Good thing the Lodge is conventiently located just 2 roundabouts and 3 minutes away from the Smithfield turn-off!

The group drove to the Kennedy Highway towards Mareeba (60 km). Just 3 km before Mareeba they turned left onto the signposted Tinaroo Creek Road and followed Tinaroo Creek Road for about 3 km. They then turned left into Cobra Road where the bus easily navigated the unsealed for the final 6 km.

There was Australian bush everywhere along the dirt track. It consisted of open eucalypt woodland. Being on a bush track in a mini bus was a first experience from some of the students too!

It is best to check the weather before venturing out to Emerald Creek Falls. The dirt road can be a bit steep in places and boggy when wet. The trip’s conditions were perfect for driving. The road condition was dry. There was some dust, of course. However, the group just ensured that all windows of the bus were kept closed.

Finding the falls was an easy task. At the carpark, the group followed the only one signed walking track. It was a quick 15 minute walk. Armed with their packed lunches, courtesy of the Cairns Student Lodge kitchen, lunch was an outdoor affair in the shade of nearby trees at the swimming hole.

The Waterfall

The Emerald Creek Falls is known for its bottle-brush trees that sprout between the granite boulders. They did not disappoint and where in full blossom. Their red flowers gave a splash of colour to the scene in season. Smooth-barked water gums lean over the creek and some of the trunks have been interestingly twisted by the battering of floodwaters. The students of course, could not resist photo opportunities near these amazing structures.

Near the creek, the group looked for dragonflies and damselflies. These captivating insects are a common sight around sunlit sections of the creek and swimming hole. Sometimes you may even see the giant petalurid dragonfly, the largest dragonfly in Australia, here in Far North Queensland.

Chocolate Tasting at Mareeba

After the waterfall excursion, the group proceeded to a pit stop at Coffee Works Cafe. This cafe specialises in gourmet chocolate tasting and brewing house-roasted local coffee in a large, industrial-chic space. Lunch wasn’t needed as it had already been consumed at the falls, but the locals and toursits at the cafe seemed to be very happy with their meals and afternoon tea selections. They did look tempting!

The group returned to the Lodge around 3.30pm. The residents were very happy to have a break from their studies. They enjoyed the fresh air, the easy walk in the Queensland National Park and the crisp swim in Emerald Creek. The trip and the waterfall certainly helped rejuveniate some desk bound sedentary souls, in readiness for their exams next week.

Emerald Creek Falls walking track (Grade: moderate)

Distance: 1.9 km return

Time: allow about 1 hr walking time
Details: From the car park, the track leads upstream through dry sclerophyll forest characterised by eucalypts, acacia and grevilleas, with some pandanus trees in moister gullies. The track ends at a lookout that provides views, not only of the falls, but also back along the valley and across the northern Atherton Tableland.