Tableland Trails and Destinations
W I N D I N F A L L S
by Paul Curtis
Like spilt milk pouring off a table , the north and south-eastern ramparts of the Tablelands have many large falls spilling into the Russell and Mulgrave Valleys below . Windin Falls is one of the most accessible of these big remote falls . It seems to have been ’ discovered ’ by many people recently , judging by the number of images popping up on social media . On a recent weekday walk to the falls , there were three groups coming and going when normally there would be no one — even on a weekend . And for good reason . It ' s a relatively easy , though unmarked walk to the top of the falls and a spectacular view down to the Mulgrave Valley in the distance .
There are two ways to go in . Head down Topaz Road and turn off to the Old Cairns Track at the Bartle Frere National Park sign . Go past the Lamin ' s Hill lookout and onto an intersection . The Old Cairns Track goes straight ahead and Gourka Road veers right . Take your pick at this point .
Route One : Head down Gourka Road for around 6.5 kms to a sharp right-hand bend with an open , cleared field to your right and another national park sign . If you go straight ahead at this bend the Windin walk commences . The first half hour is a bit messy with lawyer cane and wild raspberry so it ' s handy to carry some snippers to clear the way . The last 45
Misty morning on the Tablelands . Photo : Paul Curtis minutes takes you through some beautiful wet sclerophyll forest of turpentine and casuarina . Stick to the main trail , avoid any overgrown side tracks and you ’ ll end up on a hill top ( and dare I say a great campsite ). There is a short , steep drop down to the creek for breathtaking views .
Route Two : Instead of taking Gourka Road , continue along the Old Cairns Track for about 4.5 kms until you spot a gate on your right . Take care as the last few hundred metres can get slippery in the wet . After 4 km of up and down ridge walking along this old connecting road to the valley below , you veer right . After a steep drop down to the creek and falls you will find yourself on the opposite bank to Route One .
Windin Falls is a wild place and the view down the valley is exceptional , but as is sometimes the case , it is impossible to appreciate the falls themselves unless you have a drone . Take care around the creek as the rocks here seem to be more slippery than most .
I ' d recommend a car shuffle if you have two cars – leave one at the gate at the end of the Cairns Track then do a through-walk from the Gourka Road access .
It ' s an enjoyable and not particularly hard walk for the reasonably fit and experienced walker .
The Traveller ’ s Guide to North Queensland
Cairns and surrounds
by Paul Curtis
Walking , camping , touring and 4WDriving in North Queensland Revised fourth edition
Windin Falls Photo : Paul Curtis
Guide book available at Malanda , Yungaburra and Atherton Visitor Information Centres , Tableland Books in Atherton , and Tolga Woodworks .
www . nqwildscapes . com August 2018 What ’ s On & Where To Go 11