Bartle Frere Trail (Josephine Falls Trail Head)

Bartle Frere Trail (Josephine Falls Trail Head) Information

Bartle Frere trail (western trail head), Wooroonooran National Park. Climbing the summit of Queensland's highest mountain offers a challenging way to explore part of the World Heritage-listed rainforest of the Bellenden Ker Range in Wooroonooran National Park. Allow two days to walk the trail.

Junction camp to North West Peak (five hours)

The trail starts at Junction camp. A short distance from the start of the trail is a turn-off to the picturesque Bobbin Bobbin Falls. The trail to North West Peak is steep (rising 700 metres over five kilometres). This part of the trail has occasional rock scrambles and long sections of continuous uphill walking.

North West Peak to Western Summit camp (two hours)

On a clear day, enjoy excellent views of Bellenden Ker and the Mulgrave River valley from an exposed outcrop of rocks one kilometre from North West Peak. The trail continues to Western Summit camp. This camp site is in a very small clearing beside a creek. The site is suitable as a rest point before the climb to the summit, or as a camp site for an overnight stay.

Western Summit camp to Bartle Frere summit (one hour)

From Western Summit camp it is 750 metres to the summit. The trail becomes a scramble over and through numerous granite boulders to the broad summit of Bartle Frere. This part of the climb can be very slippery when wet. Enjoy fabulous views over the township of Innisfail and the coast to the east. To the west, enjoy views of the undulating landscape of the Atherton Tableland.From the summit you can return to your starting point or continue to the other side. If you plan to walk from one end of the trail to the other, be sure to make private transport arrangements.

The Bartle Frere trail is not for everyone. Be aware that walkers have been lost for several days in this area, despite widespread searches. Walkers must be well-prepared and responsible for their own safety. Although well marked, the trail is unformed and very steep. Walkers must be prepared for rock scrambling in places. Only experienced and fit bushwalkers should attempt the trail. Distance markers have been placed along the entire length of the trail at one kilometre intervals indicating the distance to the east or west trail heads. For example, '3W' means three kilometres to the western trail head. Always let someone know your travel plans and when you expect to return. In the event of an emergency, satellite phones and personal locator beacons (PLBs) are the most efffective. Mobile phone coverage is unreliable.