Lower Portals

GPS Tracks

This was my first overnight hike. It was challenging, but not ridiculous. A good beginners walk.
I highly recommend going for a dip in the creek even in Winter. It was like an ice bath for my tired muscles :)

Swimming

Camping Permitted

332m

Maximum Elevation

294m

Total Climb

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Getting there

You access the walking track from the end of Lower Portals Rd which comes off Upper Logan Rd, just out of Rathdowney.

Maps

Maps of Mt Barney area are recommended for this walk with 1:25 000 topographical maps being recommended for safety. (e.g. 1:25 000 Maroon)

Route/Trail notes

The walk has moderate to steep grading and at times becomes quite challenging. It mainly consists of walking up and down ridges before it comes to the small stream containing the Lower Portals. It takes approximately 3 hours return from the car park on Lower Portals Rd.

Upstream from the first crossing, say 1km you can follow a steep track up and over a ridge (500mtrs) back down to the stream where there is fabulous scenery everywhere. and from there you can slowly make your way to Mt Barney Falls about 700mtrs on the left of the creek (when heading up from the lower portals). Appears only after a bit of rain. If it has been dry I'd say it would just look like a cliff. There are signs of water that show it's there if you happen to come across it when it's dried up. Would be amazing to see tho after a good downpour as the area this waterfall takes up is massive.

Permits/Costs

There are no permits required to hike to Lower Portals. There are very limited camping spots at the end of the walk near the Lower portals, and permits are required to make use of them.

Other References

More information can be obtained from the following government website

http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/mount-barney/index.html

GPS Tracks

Comments

Lovely - stay overnight at campsite to get the best of the place (gets busy)
Brian Darlington on 29 Jul, 2017

A lot of erosion on the path & some damage to the creek bank from floods of Cyclone Debbie but still a very enjoyable walk.
Cheryl on 6 Jul, 2017

Something a little unique. Not to hard at all. Went for a swim in really cold water, it was so clear and clean.
Annalise Burton on 25 May, 2017

Great walk, good time of year to do this walk as the temperature in the morning was perfect for hiking. Saw 4 Black Cockatoos about a third of the way into the walk, could hear them first, cracking their nuts!
The path is well worn and easy to follow, a bit washed out at the moment after all the heavy rainfall.
The water in the pools is quite cold I could imagine very refreshing in summer. The creekside campsites are currently closed due to regeneration.
Evo on 7 May, 2017

Definitely worth the hike. A lot of elevations. Turn left after the second river crossing and follow the track to the rock cave. You can climb through to the waterhole
Megan and Allan on 30 Apr, 2017

This was a tough hike - the first half was fine but coming back was quite tough. the path is well worn but perhaps all the rain from the floods recently washed away some of the tracks and there are lots of exposed roots and loose rocks so be careful, slips were common for us yesterday. But it was fine otherwise - the Lower Portals are stunning and worth the 3-4hour return walk. It was a lovely hike and the rock pools are the nicest I've seen - surpassing Hells Hole in the Mt Jerusalem National Park. Next time we would like to walk over the ridge line that goes above the portals. A must walk!
BeckNWood on 23 Apr, 2017

Fantastic as always. Camped at the campsite with my daughter for her first overnight hike. Plenty of water in the creeks after the big rain.
Richard Mason on 21 Apr, 2017

Great day out hiking the lower portals my first out this way.
HelenR on 15 Apr, 2017

Very nice walk along many terrains, the water at the end is just amazing! Very cold water though. Highly recommend
jjoha on 11 Apr, 2017

Hot, hot, hot. Lovely walk and the waterhole is stunning but coming back it was 43 degrees! We were well-prepared (me, wife and 2 kids ages 12 and 10) but we met a couple as we were walking out who were on the way in wearing thongs with just 2 bottles of water!
ShavenWalrus on 12 Feb, 2017

Hot walk in the summer, thankfully the portals are there for a swim.
There are giant eels swimming with you, be warned!
dalehikes on 8 Jan, 2017

We did this walk on a very hot day (what fools!) and it wasn't pleasant! The environment was very arid and hot. We brought a few water bottles and by the end of the walk, everyone was tired and dehydrated, so definitely bring multiple water bottles and/or a water filter (if you are game) to top up at the waterholes to ensure you are hydrated. The walk was moderate with 1 large, steep hill, but what made it so hard was the heat! I would definitely recommend doing this walk on a cool day, in early morning or in winter. The waterhole itself was quite a nice, shady and enclosed area, but water was slightly murky. We climbed up a rope between two big rocks and jumped off them but the waterhole is best for just a paddle around and a play in the small rapids. For me, this walk felt a lot longer than it actually was.
Water...falls on Jan, 2017

Great walk but make sure you take plenty of water as there's nowhere to top up.
My partner stepped on a platypus in the shallows and was scratched pretty badly, so keep an eye out for wildlife!
Mariah Millington on Dec, 2016

Really easy walk. We took about three hours return with a slight detour towards Barney Gorge as we were looking for the cairn on the Waterfall Circuit notes but time was against us after arriving late. Next time for sure. The Portals are worth checking out from both sides, on the eastern side of the trail where you pass under a boulder then the other side if you take the south-west climb up the hill and descend down the gully with the small cave on your left down to the creek. Exploring upstream was quite beautiful.
Kingi on 9 Oct, 2016

This was a nice easy walk. There were a lot of trees down over the path but easy to get around. It was pretty dry when I went so the creek crossings were no problem but you would definitely get your feet wet if you tried this after heavy rains. The pools at the end were absolutely beautiful. Can't wait to come back in summer for a swim.
Ameliakh on 11 Aug, 2016

Hiked this one by myself and met a new friend at the end, also exploring the area! The water was crystal clear and amazing to swim in, even in July :) It took less than an hour for me but I can appreciate why it might take some longer; there was a decent blend of long ups and downs! Take lots of water if it's a hot day.
Peita on 22 Jul, 2016

Nice walk in through eucalypt open forest but when you reach the Portals it is stunning. Make sure you take your togs for swim. A couple of very cute rock wallabies hung around us at the swimming hole.
Kerry on 24 Apr, 2016

Great easy walk, started off very dry from the carpark, but as we got to the creek the portals were amazing. Great to see water flowing fresh and clear.
Gumby on 10 Apr, 2016

Good walk with three friends. Found the waterfall that was stated in the info which was amazing. Beautiful scenery everywhere. I have the coordinates to the waterfall if anyone is interested in seeing it as well just message me. Just didn't want to put it in the edit I did , as part of the fun to hiking for me is finding new things.

Only down fall to the day was we were picking up other hikers rubbish and Brought it back down.
Got to keep these places clean, so that we can all enjoy them as they should be.
phoenixanderson on 28 Mar, 2016

Beautiful. Cruisey walk, 1.5hr there. 1hr return. Allow plenty of time to swim and enjoy the portals, it is worth it! When you reach what appears to be the end of the track and see a small swimming hole to your left. Proceed under up and through the two big rocks in front of you to get to the true portals.
CassLee on 20 Feb, 2016