Glacier Rock via Douglas Track

Getting there

Park at the same place as Stony Creek Weir.

Maps

http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/barron-gorge/about.html

Route/Trail notes

After crossing the pipe bridge, follow the track behind the Douglas Track sign. It's a lot smaller and harder to see, but it leads away from the creek and heads up into the rainforest.

The track is very well marked with lots of coloured markers on the trees and a fairly well defined track. You'll head up and up through rainforest for a while, until you reach a clearing that used to be a railway workers camp. After this point there are some boulders to scramble up for a nice view (of some powerlines and Cairns) before it starts cutting back and forth up the hillside, as the rainforest thins out to grasssy area. The Kuranda railway looms in front of you, right where there was a rockslide in early 2010 hitting the train. Now there's stairs and a bridge to cross the railway. You then walk along the edge of the rainforest, over what is obviously ground cut for the power line. The view from here just keeps getting better and better.

Eventually you hit the top and follow the powerline service track. The Douglas Track meets the McDonalds track from the top of the Gorge here. Take the left, following the Douglas Track/Glacier rock sign back into the rainforest. More steep uphills here for 700 metres until you reach a sign saying "Glacier Rock." Take a left and enjoy the easy last 250 metres until you reach the top of the rock. Magnificent views. Don't forget to sign the guest book attached to the sign!

Follow your steps back to the car.

GPS Tracks

No GPS available for this walk yet.

Comments

It was hot in the middle as there weren’t many trees along the electrical poles but the view from the top is definitely rewarding. We also stopped for a swim at surprise creek, which was really beautiful. It was also perfect to refill our bottle of water.
Anna on 19 Sep, 2021

Walked this many times during lockdown.
worboys1968@yahoo.com.au on 24 Apr, 2021

Good walk. Started about 8 AM, back by lunch. We were taking our time so people should easily be able to do it quicker.
airmatmaster on Aug, 2020

Fantastic walk - with beautiful views. The initial slope is a chore but then it smooths out. Definitely worth the walk. Take water with you, plus you can swim in Stoney Creek afterwards.
thegeekteacher on May, 2020

Great hike - beautiful views and well marked trail!
Ian on 29 Apr, 2018

Pretty hot and humid this time of year and my boots blew out on the first climb. Note to self, check boots for wear and tear regularly in the tropics! In all we hiked 16 klicks as we started at the Smith's track. Plenty of mossies, leeches and snakes too.
Spidy on 18 Mar, 2018

I think it should said that when you get up on top where Douglas Track meets McDonald track under the powerlines there is a track immediately left. DO NOT Take this track. Glacier Rock is another 200 metres along the road, find the sign and then left.
Todd on 15 Oct, 2017

Such a great hike,fantastic views the whole way
Troy J Vickers on 25 Feb, 2016

Excellent walk. A bit tough for novices like the misses and I but definitely doable. Views were great from the top though the views are even better at about 2/3 of the way if you climb onto some of the boulders just off the track. Track is quite clearly marked.
seb on 27 Sep, 2013

Loved this walk. Views were spectacular and well worth the effort. Don't forget to take the mozzie spray! I would say it takes about 3 hrs return all up and is at times mostly moderate with a few difficult sections and some easy sections in between to catch your breath
Stacey on 21 May, 2013

Least populated walk of my entire Cairns bushwalk experience. And personally, one of my favourites. Wish I had done the full from the top of the Gorge, it may have made it easier going down hill for most of it
Allan Allport on 3 Aug, 2010