Mount Bartle Frere South Peak from Josephine Falls Road

Starting from the car park at the end of Josephine Falls Road, this walk takes you to the southern peak of Mount Bartle Frere and back via a singular track, crossing Majuba Creek twice along the way. Expect a physical and mental challenge as you ascend to what feels like the mythic Mount Olympus, with mist setting in near the summit. The way up is going to be steep in places, and the scenery will change with the vegetation, transforming into an exceptional rainforest. Although the aforementioned mist usually reduces the viewing distance, the true reward of this walk is being able to finish it. It’s a lengthy journey which can be done in a day if you’re really fit and it’s dry. Otherwise, you can spend the night at the Eastern Summit and Big Rock campsites and go for the peak in the morning. Regardless of the way you choose to do it, you should make sure the conditions are dry and it will not rain while you’re there. Because the leeches reach outrageous numbers in wet conditions, and almost all of the track becomes dangerously slippery. Considering you may need to slide on your bottom for some descents, this becomes more of a problem. You’ll be rock hopping/scrambling and dealing with leeches as well, therefore decent hiking shoes and gaiters are recommended. Bring plenty of water(around 4 litres each) and an insect repellent. Expect to get wet feet on the creek crossings. You can fully get wet and cool off in the suitable spots along the creek as well, or visit the rock pools of Josephine Falls after the journey. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Warning
This journey requires significant bushwalking experience, specialised equipment and navigation skills.
Please ensure you and your group well prepared and equiped for this journey.

Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	At the intersection of Josephine Falls Road & Bartle Frere Trail (-17.4378065,145.8590491)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Bruce Highway, A1 Turn on to Bartle Frere Road then drive for 6.8 km Turn right onto Josephine Falls Road and drive for another 620 m Keep right onto Josephine Falls Road and drive for another 50 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the car park at the end of Josephine Falls Road, pass through the bollard and head between the sheltered areas along the dirt/grass path gently uphill. Follow the subtly-formed walking track(Bartle Frere Trail) as it veers left and heads into the woodland to continue along Mount Bartle Frere South Peak from Josephine Falls Road Track.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Josephine Falls Road & Bartle Frere Trail Start heading along Bartle Frere Trail (a walking track). There is a toilet (about 25 m back from the start).
	After another 35 m continue straight, to head along Bartle Frere Trail. Find the BBQ at the start. After another 3.3 km come to the "Big Rock Camp" (on your right). Campsite managed byQueensland Parks and Wildlife Service. There is a fee to use this campsite.
	Turn right, to head along Bartle Frere Trail. After another 3.3 km come to the "evacuation hut" (on your right). 24/7 After another 7 m come to the "Eastern Summit Camp". Campsite managed byQueensland Parks and Wildlife Service. There is a fee to use this campsite. After another 670 m pass the "Mount Bartle Frere Summit (South Peak)" (8 m on your left).
	Continue another 3.9 km to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 11.1 km to get back to the start.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Mount Bartle Frere South Peak from Josephine Falls Road

Grading

	Class 5/6 Very challenging
Length	22.1 km
Time	8 h 30 min to 2 days

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Very steep and difficult rock scrambles (5/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure	No facilities provided (5/6)
Experience Required	High level of bushwalking experience recommended (5/6)
Weather	Forecasted & unexpected severe weather likely to have an impact on your navigation and safety (5/6)

Some facilities on route

Camp site: There are 2 on route, on average they are 7.4 km apart with the largest gap of 15.6 km.

Hut: There is one 6.5 km from the start.

Toilet: There is one -27 m back from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	-27 m	[toilet]
Camp site	3.3 km	Big Rock Camp
Hut	6.5 km	evacuation hut
Camp site	6.5 km	Eastern Summit Camp

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Innisfail Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
  
  Sunday 8 December
  
  31°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely during the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm in the north. Winds easterly 15 to 25 km/h. Daytime maximum temperatures 28 to 34.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:10am to 4:00pm, UV Index predicted to reach 12 [Extreme]
  
  Monday 9 December
  
  23°C → 31°C
  Early fog then mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Patchy fog in the south in the early morning. Slight chance of a shower along the coastal fringe in the morning. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Winds east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light early in the morning then becoming easterly 15 to 25 km/h in the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 18 and 24 with daytime temperatures reaching 31 to 36.
  
  Tuesday 10 December
  
  22°C → 32°C
  Mostly sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower near the coast, near zero chance elsewhere. Light winds becoming east to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 17 and 23 with daytime temperatures reaching 31 to 36.
  
  Wednesday 11 December
  
  22°C → 32°C
  Mostly sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. The chance of a thunderstorm in the south in the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming east to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 19 and 24 with daytime temperatures reaching 32 to 37.
  
  Thursday 12 December
  
  24°C → 31°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 15mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Friday 13 December
  
  24°C → 31°C
  Showers. Possible storm.
  80% chance of rain
  0 → 25mm
  
  Showers. Possible storm.
  
  Saturday 14 December
  
  23°C → 32°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 15mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Wooroonooran National Park alerts
  Temporary closure: Bartle Frere access road (western trailhead) and Junction camp, Wooroonooran National Park (update 5 Dec)
  The Bartle Frere access road at the western trailhead, and Junction camp are closed due to wet conditions. During this period, visitors can still access the Bartle Frere western trailhead by parking at Windin Falls car park off Gourka Road and walking in from this location. Affected parks: Wooroonooran National Park; Bartle Frere trail, Wooroonooran National Park
  Safety advice: heavy rain impacts Josephine Creek and Falls, Wooroonooran National Park
  Visitors are advised that Josephine Creek at Josephine Falls in Wooroonooran National Park is closed until further notice. Heavy rain has resulted in fast flowing, high water levels in Josephine Creek. Further rain is expected. Water levels can change rapidly in Josephine Creek. For your safety, do not enter the water. The walking track and viewing platforms can still be accessed but the creek is closed. Affected parks: Wooroonooran National Park; Josephine Falls, Wooroonooran National Park
  Wet season safety information - significant stream rises: Wooroonooran National Park
  During the North Queensland wet season local heavy rainfall may cause significant stream rises throughout Wooroonooran National Park. During and after heavy rain, creek conditions change and become dangerous. Fast flowing, rapidly rising water, with strong currents, occurs. Affected parks: Wooroonooran National Park; Bartle Frere trail, Wooroonooran National Park; Goldfield trail, Wooroonooran National Park; Goldsborough Valley, Wooroonooran National Park; Josephine Falls, Wooroonooran National Park; Palmerston (Doongan), Wooroonooran National Park
  Visitor facilities update, Misty Mountains road and track network, Wooroonooran National Park (update 29 Nov)
  Please see below update on the status of visitor facilities within the Misty Mountains road and track network in Wooroonooran National Park: Affected parks: Palmerston (Doongan), Wooroonooran National Park; Tully Gorge National Park; Wooroonooran National Park; Misty Mountains wilderness tracks
  Camping area water supply update: Goldsborough Valley section, Wooroonooran National Park (update)
  Visitors are advised there is currently no water available from the taps in the camping and day-use areas within the Goldsborough Valley section of Wooroonooran National Park. Water is available at both toilet blocks, however it is not suitable for consumption and visitors should bring their own drinking water. Affected parks: Wooroonooran National Park; Goldsborough Valley, Wooroonooran National Park
  Temporary partial closure: Goldfield trail from the Babinda Boulders to Mulgrave River camping area, Wooroonooran National Park (update 16 Sep)
  Due to a severe landslip caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, a section of the Goldfield trail is currently closed. Please see below for details: Affected parks: Wooroonooran National Park; Goldsborough Valley, Wooroonooran National Park; Goldfield trail, Wooroonooran National Park
  Temporary walking track closure: Wallicher Falls, Wooroonooran National Park (update 8 Jul)
  Following the impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, Wallicher Falls walking track is closed until further notice. Affected parks: Palmerston (Doongan), Wooroonooran National Park; Wooroonooran National Park
  Access advice: No access to Cochable Creek camping and day-use area and Misty Mountains wilderness tracks from Cochable Creek access road: Tully Gorge National Park (update 21 Jun)
  The Cochable Creek camping and day-use area access road (H-Road) has been closed. Cassowary Coast Regional Council have closed the H-Road at its entrance point near the Tully River bridge due to safety concerns of a bridge structure along H-Road. Affected parks: Wooroonooran National Park; Tully section, Tully Gorge National Park; Misty Mountains wilderness tracks; Tully Gorge National Park
  
  Alert kindly provided by © Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service

Weather Forecast

Alerts