Enjoy refreshing dip totally free of salties
Options abound for safely escaping the heat
WITH the Far North sweating through a heatwave, many of us are dreaming of cooling off with a nice swim.
But the presence of crocodiles in the Far North means many potential swimming spots are off limits.
Debate this week about the safety of swimming at Behana Creek from the causeway has highlighted the issue of just where Far Northerners can safely swim during summer.
Here is a selection of the region’s best places to take the plunge without the worry of a reptilian encounter.
STONEY CREEK
STONEY Creek at Kamerunga has plenty of water now after a lot of rain but is still a relatively safe swimming option close to the city of Cairns.
However, a bit of a walk is required to get to the best swimming holes.
After about a 1km walk, the track ends at a specular waterfall but on the way is a nice swimming hole and rocky creek bed in the shade of big trees.
NANDROYA FALLS
PERHAPS not the most Instagramed waterfall within striking distance from Cairns, the spectacular Nandroya Falls is seriously underrated.
A needle-like torrent flows out of a solid rock cliff to fall impressively for 50m into a good-sized amphitheatre shaped swimming hole.
The carpark to access the falls is on the Palmerston Highway, between Innisfail and Millaa Millaa.
JOSEPHINE FALLS
AN HOUR’S drive south of Cairns lies a rainforest paradise.
A three-tiered set of falls descends elegantly through the Wooroonooran National Park offering swimming holes at the bottom of each drop.
Turn off the Bruce Highway 2km south of Mirriwinni and drive 8km to Josephine Falls.
CRYSTAL CASCADES
AS FRESHWATER Creek winds through the Redlynch Valley it creates a series of falls and swimming holes a stone’s throw from Cairns.
An added bonus waterfall called Fairy Falls can be accessed from the back of the Crystal Cascades carpark.
It is a short walk but probably not recommended for small children as it is rocky and uneven in places.
DAVIES CREEK FALLS
SET in drier eucalypt woodland on the Atherton Tablelands, Davies Creek Falls offers a spectacular high-drop waterfall with a series of good swimming holes.
From the carpark at the top of the range, a looping track gives the option of going right to a sandy creek bed and nice swimming hole or heading left to a waterfall viewing platform and a good pool right at the top of the waterfall.
BABINDA BOULDERS
JUST after the town famed as the wettest in the country is a spot which ticks all the boxes.
The biggest pool is closest to the carpark and offers ramped access right to the water’s edge.
Full barbecue, toilet facilities and a kids’ playground are installed near to the carpark.
Heading to the left of the main clearing is the wellmarked easy walking path called the Goldfields Track, it leads to a second good swimming pool and continues into the mountains for about 5km.
Downstream is the notorious Devil’s Pool. Swimming is not recommended as unpredictable swirling currents have claimed lives. However, there is a paved path to a viewing platform at Devil’s Pool and further on you will find the Boulders Gorge lookout.