A Bit of History - Stoney Creek Railway Camp Hike

Hello to All Trailblazers,

It has been a while for an article in the blog.

This trip was recently completed by some friends and I. Some ladies had to sign up for a Walking Challenge that the Government had organised. So I thought I can help by getting these ladies to accumulate more steps on their pedometres, and show them about hiking in rainforest plus learning a bit about local history. The crew for this day were Myself, Mel, Jo and her son Bryce.

A Lovely Autumn day greeted us and the target today was a small camp in the middle of rainforest located in the Stoney Creek gorge. The gorge itself was a part of the Barron Falls National Park.

What is significent about this relatively minor campsite, was that it was the campground of hundreds of railway workers back at the turn of the century. These railway workers gave blood, sweat, and tears (and some their lives) to build the world renowned Cairns Kuranda Railway which rose up above the Great Dividing Range to carry goods and people to the Atherton Tablelands. As you drive along the Kamerunga Road to the Douglas Track Trailhead (see previous blogs), you achieve a magnificent site of Glacier Rock and Red Bluff. You actually cross this Railway whilst hiking up the mountain range.

The trail starts at the Douglas Track Trailhead. This trail is a communication trail that supplied goods to Kuranda and the Atherton Tablelands. Most of the goods supplied were transported by donkeys and oxen.

You travel on the trail for about only 40-50 metres until you take a minor track to the west to head to the camp. The track although dubious at times, is flagged and starts with the entry point on the Douglas Track with three large rocks close together.




The track itself is about 40 minutes of clear track walking. However, since Cyclones frequent this area, you will find that there are a few downed trees to navigate around. There is also a large Bush Turkeys nest built right in the middle of the track that you need to negotiate, as well as a small creek dam, most probably built in the same era, that you have to make your way downstream for about 15 metres to find the track exit and continue your progress.

The track itself is rather undulating, but does not seriously increase in altitude. A person of low to average fitness can adequately accomplish the task.

After about 40 minutes of hiking through the rainforest, whilst dodging Wait-a-While plants, you eventually come to Stoney Creek. Please be careful crossing the creek, and the best and easiest access is usually in the Dry Season.

On the way, you will find a mutitude of photographic opportunities to a varied amount of personal liking. One of which is the amazing types of funghi that you come across. This will appeal to persons who love their flora.

Once you cross the creek and continue on the creek overflow for 5 minutes, you will come to a high creekbank. Above that lies the remnants of the old Pub and it's Oven/Bakery.

The crew is shown here with the Bakery to the right of Bryce. Please do not be mistaken that there will be any significant features. The Pub and Bakery walls only amount to a few layers of rocks placed on each other.

A significent telltale that you have reached your destination, is that the area is overshadowed by a rather large Old Man Fig Tree. This tree is substantial and the fig itself is combined with a lot of rainforest Strangler Vines.

The Fig Tree serves as a great protector of the site. If you listen carefully with the wind through the canopy, you could almost hear the joviality and laughter emmanating around the site from the old workers of the past. Beer songs and the clinking of glass echo as the ghosts of the past enjoy themselves after a hard day's toil.

The Pub itself is slightly larger in area. The Pub would be of a 3 metre by 3 metre square. 3 rock walls are evident. However, what is the most telling of all, are the remnants of old beer bottle remains from all over the site.

These beer bottles are made of old glass about a centimetre thick and would do damage to a persons foot or leg if that person was not unduly aware of the surroundings. So please be very careful traversing the site.

Once you have taken in the history of the site, you can then take the decision to retrace your steps back to the Douglas Track, or even continue onto the base of Stoney Creek Waterfall of which , on a hot day, the water would be inviting for a swim. This track leads to the famous bridge of the waterfall of which is a main promotion of the far north.

On this particular day however, the goal had been achieved and the crew made their way back to the Trailhead....right in time for lunch. Enjoyed by all, this track is the perfect introduction for hiking in the rainforest.

Remember : if ever you sample the preciousness of our wonderful far north, please take care and look after your environment. Leave only a footprint in the sand or a ripple in the water....and take nothing away except for photographs and memories.

Blue Skies

Flounder