Granite Gorge Nature Park
332 Paglietta Road, Cairns & the Tropical North, Queensland, 4880
This private nature reserve is known for a rockscape of unusually-shaped boulders, deep swimming holes free of crocodiles, and a community of Mareeba Rock Wallabies, first identified as a new and endangered species here in the mid-1990s. Visitors can walk short nature trails, mingle with the wallabies, and spend the night in cabins or powered campsites.
The basics
The nature park is just over an hour west of Cairns by car, an easy day trip destination from there, or Mareeba, which is significantly closer. Walking trails traverse the boulder field, guiding visitors along the massive and often strangely shaped rocks. Not surprisingly, the rock wallabies are a big draw—and some 4WD and outback tours from Cairns stop here to cool off in the swimming holes and take a peek at the wallaby colony.
Things to know before you go
Day use and camping fees are discounted for high school and elementary school students.
Leashed dogs are allowed in the campsites but not near the gorge due to the presence of other animals.
Accommodation options include nicely appointed cabins, safari tents, and campgrounds.
How to get there
Granite Gorge Nature Park is about 45 miles (75 kilometers) west of Cairns and is best reached by car. Take National Highway 1 north from Cairns, which eventually veers south to Mareeba. Pass through Mareeba, take Chewko Road, and turn left on Paglietta Road past the Chewko Lookout. Travelers without a car: 4WD or outback tours from Cairns are your best bet.
When to get there
The nature park and Cairns—the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and one of Australia's most beloved travel towns—are year-round destinations. The crowds arrive during the dry season from April to October when the weather is dry and beautiful. To avoid the tourist crush, visit in April and May or later during September and October.
Nature reserves and national parks near Cairns
Granite Gorge Nature Park is worth visiting to dip in the swimming holes and say hello to the cute wallabies—but there's plenty else to do in this area of Northern Queensland. Start at the Mareeba Heritage Museum and Visitor Information Center and decide which nature reserves to visit. There’s Bilwon State Forest and Nature Reserve, Hann Tableland National Park, and Baldy Mountain Forest Reserve nearby, among others. Daintree National is also just 2 hours north of the park by car.
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