Daves Creek circuit is a 12km, relatively straight forward bushwalk. It is located in the beautiful Binna Burra section of Lamington National Park. Traversing a wide variety of vegetation, it is an intriguing nature experience.
Quick Info
Location: End of Binna Burra Rd, Binna Burra, Qld 4211
Walking Distance: 12km Return
Elevation: Approximately 600m
Time: 4 to 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Costs/Permit: No cost, no permit required
Opening Times: Only closed occasionally for maintenance
Facilities: Information station, toilets, café, camping, BBQ, picnic grounds, lots of parking, accommodation
What to take: Insect repellent, camera, picnic, water, sunscreen, jacket
Map:
Daves Creek circuit starts from Binna Burra trailhead. Several options are available to get to the Daves Creek circuit junction. The Rainforest circuit is lovely, with many interesting trees to capture your imagination.
The Loop track follows on from Rainforest circuit, and leads to the Tullawallal turn off. Tullawallal is a deviation to the main track. It is an out and back track, 1.4km return – contrary to the map, which makes it look like a circuit. A sign at the top of the stairs saying you had reached the end would have been very handy. Tullawallal is an elevated rocky area, great for a picnic.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife recommend walking Daves Creek circuit clockwise. This allows Surprise Rock to be its most surprising. On the day I completed Daves Creek circuit, the signage at the junction where the track splits didn’t make it obvious that Daves Creek circuit went both ways. The photo below shows the sign at the junction. Going left allows the circuit to be travelled clockwise, I chose right. 100m along to the left, there is another sign that reassuringly shows Daves Creek circuit. Choose left!
Daves Creek circuit has so much diversity of vegetation along the track. Signs for Molongolee Cave were in a dry scrubby area, but it wasn’t obvious where the cave was. I’m still not sure if I was supposed to go past the cave or see it from a distance. Shortly after Molongolee Cave signage is Picnic Creek, with a well placed tree trunk for seating. Alternatively, Numinbah lookout at the eastern most point of the track, provides not only glorious views to Numinbah Valley but a good spot for a picnic.
Surprise Rock was aptly named. Going anticlockwise it wasn’t as obvious as it would be going clockwise, but it still made an impact. Just east of Surprise Rock a turn in the path was initially missed; if travelling clockwise it would have been noticed. However, going a little bit off course just added to the adventure.
The constantly changing forest always gives you intriguing things to discover.
With a very small deviation, Nagarigoon Falls can be reached. Bushwalks with a waterfall always trump bushwalks without!
One of the best things about Daves Creek circuit is the café awaiting your return. Binna Burra Tea House is a welcome source of refreshment after another beautiful bushwalk.