Make a splash at Behana
IT may be a long, tedious 90 minute walk to get there and back, but Behana Gorge is certainly worth the effort.
This freshwater swimming hole near Gordonvale is paradise once you reach it and one of the best natural attractions in the Far North to cool off in the summer.
From the highway intersection at Gordonvale, travel about 6km south along the Bruce Highway to the Behana Gorge turn-off (look out for the coconut palms) and follow the road all the way to the end.
You will get to a carpark where there is an easy, bitumen path to follow through shaded forest, with a Cairns Regional Council water pipeline to your right, and the Behana Creek to your left.
The walk does get steeper the closer you get to Clamshell Falls at the end of the path, but once you are there, it is an easy amble over rocks to the creek itself.
The water is wonderfully chilled, and you can swim up to the falls, and explore the fringes of the creek.
There is plenty of shade to sit under, but keep your eyes peeled for a natural cutting in one of the flat boulders near the water’s edge that provides a comfortable human-shaped seat to wedge your body into to relax and take in the scenery.
The creek itself flows off the western slopes of Mt Bellenden Ker — Queensland’s second highest mountain and there are great views of the surrounding peaks from Rudge’s Lookout, about 15 minutes’ walk away from the main swimming area.
If you visit Behana solo, pack a smartphone — with or without headphones — to enjoy a podcast or audiobook on the walk back to your car.
Or simply listen to the trills, whistles and buzzes of the rainforest.