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

Nice walk to a Great Swimming hole.
Steve on 14 Feb, 2016

Quick and easy with a great reward. Make sure to find and go through the hole in the rocks on the trails right once you get to the first swimming hole.
alxhoff on 15 Jan, 2016

Challenging but good walk, waterhole is absolutely stunning, water was a bit chilly today but still a refreshing reward
Amy on 2 Jan, 2016

Always a good hike to the hole. Went beyond the water pool this time, over and down the hill into the creek and carried on with some rock hoping
agms on 1 Jan, 2016

Fairly flat for the majority of the walk. Great to cool down in the pools and catch a glimpse of some wallabies hanging around.
chazzie_leigh on 1/??/2016

a cloudy and slightly rainy day. Refreshing walk and the pool was warmer than expected!
agms on 20 Dec, 2015

I've done this walk twice now. I beg everyone to ensure they have more then enough water, and medical supplies and never be on there own. As recently when I did the walk the heat got over 40 degrees through out the day. And I had a severe asthma attack and heat exhaustion/stroke and had to be carried out of the walk. And it took at least 2.5hr just to get back. I only made it a little over half way my self before collapsing.
Jaynee on 21 Nov, 2015

Very beautiful waterhole. Nice walk and not too difficult but enough to get the heart pumping. Took 4 hrs return - 1.5hrs in including lots of photos, 1.5 hr swimming and enjoying the view, and 1 hr return walk with no stops.
gabemma on 1 Nov, 2015

very pleasant walk under trees, saw 6 Glossy Black Cockatoos eating at the commencement of the well-marked track. Fabulous swimming hole with soft, clean water in beautiful Lower Portals environment, stopped for a swim and lunch then retraced steps. Total time 2.5hours return
Varina Nissen on 13 Oct, 2015

Great walk with the kids including a deserved swim ;-)
Agile Chris on 2 Oct, 2015

This track is a favourite of mine, where dry bushland turns into a set of vibrant pools and a gushing creek. Absolutely beautiful.
mjorn_ on Sep, 2015

was a challenging, beautiful walk amongst trees and rock hopping.
Cait on May, 2015

Not a very exciting walk. but swimming hole at the end is worth it
Pardo on 3 Apr, 2015

Really pleasant walk which we turned into a trail run. The portals were lovely but freezing cold! We climbed up the waterfall and rock hopped for about an hour up the creek. Great fun, especially for those who aren’t so ‘hiking’ inclined. Heaps of young children and families there 
Alice on 15 Mar, 2015

Was a great walk, managed the rock hopping okay with baby on back. The portals are well worth the exercise to get there
EmilyN on 7 Sep, 2014

Quite hilly, when you reach the riverbank at the end (it appears appears to be a dead end) you can climb up the hole in the rock to reach the portals/swimming area.
rob.bushman on 15 Mar, 2014

There were many up hills and down hills. It was challenging to climb thru the gap between the rocks to get to the lower portals, I detoured by crossing the rocks at the opposite side of the stream. It was a very nice view at the lower portals.
Harry on 15 Mar, 2014

Lovely walk, well worth the effort --trail is easy to follow. At the end, there is a nice little swimming hole. Lots of fun poking around the rocks at the Lower Portals.
Roxy on 23 Feb, 2014

Hot and arduous if you go under prepared.
However, if you go at the right time of year it's great and the swimming holes at the end of the trail are very refreshing. Plenty of clean drinking water from the creek.
Callaghan Clan on 24 Jan, 2014

A beautiful walk with a good physical challenge. Went in the middle of summer and it was 40 degrees, the swim to the far end of the portals was well worth it at the end!!!! Camped out the night and went home the next day. The campsite is in the opposite direction along the creek, nice sites to fit a few people. Ran into a wallaby at 4pm in the afternoon filling up water bottles.
Viking on 20 Jan, 2014