Tully Gorge from Eastern Portal Lookout
PARK INFORMATION
NPRSR 13 7468
SIZE
59 861 ha
VISITOR INFORMATION
Tully (07) 4068 2288 | Ravenshoe (07) 4097 7700 | www.ccrc.qld.gov.au
LOCATION AND ACCESS
24 km south of Ravenshoe via Lake Koombooloomba Rd (Tully Falls lookout); 40 km north-west of Tully via Dean Rd (Tully Gorge day-use area); 6 km north of Tully via Lizzio Rd (Alligators Nest day-use area); Mount Tyson walking track commences in Brannigan St, Tully
CAMPING
One camping area; permits and fees apply; bookings essential
Tully Gorge National Park, part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, is an upland rainforest park that stretches between Ravenshoe, the highest town in Queensland, and Tully, a low-lying town near the coast. Made up of several sections, the park encompasses the western end of Tully Gorge and a stretch of the Tully River, regarded as one of Queensland's most beautiful waterways.
Although much of this national park is rugged and inaccessible, there has been a concerted effort over recent years to develop its facilities and attractions. There is a picnic area with toilets, wood barbecues and tables at Tully Falls, accessed via Ravenshoe. A short, easy walk (100 metres return) leads to an impressive lookout over the falls, which are usually dry as the water has been diverted to a hydro-electric power station. A longer walk (1.4 km return, 45 minutes, medium difficulty) leads down to the Tully River.
Other walks in the park, including the wheelchair-accessible Butterfly Walk (375 metres return, 20 minutes, easy) and the steep Mount Tyson walking track (4 km return, 3–4 hours, difficult) depart from separate access points near Tully. A purpose-built swimming platform at nearby Alligators Nest day-use area provides a safe place to go for a dip. There is no easy access between the separate ends of the park, although the Misty Mountains Wilderness Walking Trails, a 130-kilometre network of tracks that winds through Tully Gorge and adjacent national parks, links them indirectly.
There is a general-use camping area as well as several walkers’ camps reserved for those taking the Misty Mountains Wilderness Walking Trails. A range of private accommodation is available in Tully and Ravenshoe.