Find your pet adventure
Top spots for man’s best mate
Bored of the dog park, or simply circling the block with your fourlegged friend? Contrary to popular belief, you can actually take your best mate for a more adventurous walk in several of the Far North’s state forest and conservation reserves. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has released a list of four parks in the region that are pet-friendly. Just bring along plenty of water for both you and your dog, a leash, and plastic bags to clean up after your canine companion.
BORED of the dog park, or simply circling the block with your four-legged friend?
Contrary to popular belief, you can actually take your best mate for a more adventurous walk in several of the Far North’s state forest and conservation reserves.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has released a list of four parks in the region that are pet-friendly.
Just remember to bring along plenty of water for both you and your dog, a leash, and plastic bags to clean up after your canine companion in case they need to go to the toilet.
EMERALD CREEK, DINDEN WEST FOREST RESERVE
Where: from Cairns, take the Kennedy Highway towards Mareeba (60km). Just 3km before Mareeba turn left on to the signposted Tinaroo Creek Rd. Follow Tinaroo Creek Rd for about 3km and then turn left into Cobra Rd. After 2km of bitumen the road is unsealed for the final 6km.
What: the picturesque Emerald Creek Falls forms a series of cascades over smooth granite boulders and contrasts starkly with the surrounding dry, rocky landscape of the forest. The walk to and from the falls is 1.9km, or about an hour.
SMITHFIELD CONSERVATION PARK
Where: from Cairns, travel north along the Captain Cook Highway for 16km and turn left at the McGregor Rd roundabout near James Cook University. Drive 1km along McGregor Rd, past the university, to the Smithfield Conservation Park car park.
What: in the foothills of the coastal range, bordering Kuranda National Park and Smithfield residential area, this small park encompasses tropical rainforest gullies and eucalypt woodlands.
TUMOULIN STATE FOREST
Where: from Atherton, travel 30km south on the Kennedy Highway. Turn right on to Tumoulin Rd and go 18.6km to Kidner Rd. Turn left on to Kidner Rd, drive 2.4km to McKenzie Rd, turn right and drive 800m down McKenzie Rd to where the road divides into three. Take the right-hand side road, turning sharply right before the gate. Follow the fence line to the boundary.
What: wet sclerophyll forests surround the Millstream River as it tumbles over McKenzie Falls.
WONGABEL STATE FOREST
Where: drive south from Atherton for 8km on the Kennedy Highway. Turn left where the Wongabel State Forest entrance is signposted and follow the signs the short distance to the car park.
What: here, you will find two walking tracks, which also catering for the visually impaired, making it perfect for anyone with a guide dog.