Tully River Gorge Tour Explore the World Heritage listed natural environment of the Tully River Gorge. This scenic 4WD guided journey provides a rural Queensland sightseeing opportunity. Experience spectacular tropical wilderness, combined with walking, cycling, river swimming and kayaking.
The commute is dominated by rural agricultural enterprises e.g. sugarcane, pineapple, banana, paw paw, citrus, exotic fruits; and livestock grazing. The vibrant Tully business centre exhibits a diverse range of services.
The undulating Tully River flood plain has a mixture of land use. There is always something to see and contemplate. “Green” is the dominant colour, “which hue of green is it?” A visually stimulating textural tapestry unfolds, “you feel?”
There is a constant interplay in the continuum between sunshine and rain. This tropical climatic dynamic can yield inspiring photographic rewards. The air is fresh and clean, scented with the ambient moisture status. Local climate is always a significant player when it comes to outdoor tour activities. Come prepared for “the expected.” Your introduction to the "Wet Tropics" would be incomplete without experiencing “the intensity of a rain cleansing sonic chant.”
The towering escarpment looms above. The valley narrows, steep faces shrouded in “closed canopy rainforest.” Welcome to Tully Gorge. Along the way multiple tributary boulder lined streams release their liquid resource to the Tully River. Glimpses from the road reveal the vegetation shrouded Tully River, rocky expanses and turbulent effervescent cascades.
The C
ardstone Bridge spans the Tully River. Downstream from the bridge is a large quiescent section of the river. This picturesque area is suitable for kayaking. Enjoy leisurely quality time fun with family, relatives and friends!
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service provides public toilets and ablution amenities at the Day Use Camping Area. Visitors can relax and explore the Gorge. Observe fluvial processes and contemplate vegetation diversity. A geologic feature of interest is a basaltic flow unit superposed on the paleo-boulder/cobble river bed. Search term “Geologic Unconformity.”
For a unique natural world experience, bring your swimming goggles. Temper your skills and stamina against the Tully River. "Position yourself and maintain your stroking in the current!" For prolonged aquatic exposure the water temperature is cool to cold. There are plenty of sunny spots. For your personal comfort during winter months consider warm garments.
From the Day Use Camping Area the undulating sealed road continues up the Tully Gorge. There are numerous scenic viewing platforms. The roadway terminates at the 72 Megawatt Kareeya Hydro Power Station. In operation since 1957. A significant North Queensland pioneering engineering achievement linked to Koombooloomba Dam. The “clean energy” generating capacity is reported to achieve an annual 470 000 tonne offset to greenhouse gas emissions.
From the Kareeya Power Station terminus vehicle escorted mountain bike riding is possible. The sealed road overall gradient is downhill, with minor inclining sections. Tully River road tour cycling up to 17.4km; subject to guests' time, interest, energy and experience. Vehicle traffic is intermittent. Including large Coaches, Buses, Trucks; Camper Vans, 4x4's and Passenger Cars. Vehicle returns guests to their pick-up location, maximum duration up to 7.0 hours.
Please Note:
See Information Index.
- Choose the minimum number of recreational accessories required wisely.
- Limiting weight and aerodynamic drag saves fuel and reduces emissions.
- Only bottled water is supplied on the day.
- Support the rural Cardwell economy, shop locally.
- 24 hour online booking cut-off.
Tully Gorge Tour courtesy pick-up:
- Free for Tully.
- Contact SWIT Guide.
"Encounter dynamic Tully River, liquid gravity flows, weaving, effervescent cascades rumble."
Visit their comprehensive website and maybe choose another of the Guided Tours for your journey up from Townsville, maybe Paluma would be a fabulous place to start.