Why you should travel to Lacey’s Creek Walking Track, Djuri National Park a short drive from Cairns

Australia
By William

Travelers flock to this ‘magical’ piece of rainforest, despite the fact that a very dangerous animal lives there: ‘It’s a paradise’

  • Adventures flock to Lacey’s Creek Walking Track
  • It is located in Djiru National Park in far north Queensland
  • The path winds through a magical rainforest

By Louise Allingham for Daily Mail Australia

published: | Updated:

Adventurous pursuers head north to a beautiful and ‘unforgettable’ hiking trail that winds through a magical rainforest.

In the tropics of Far North Queensland in Djiru National Park is the Lacey’s Creek Walking Track, which can be found less than two hours south of Cairns.

The spectacular trail takes visitors along the babbling creek and through the lush forest of ferns and towering palm trees forming a shady canopy.

Although it is close to the popular Mission Beach and attracts thousands of tourists each year, the area is characterized only by the forest and wildlife, making visitors feel as if they have entered a prehistoric fantasy land.

At the end of the easy trail, travelers can find relief from the region’s balmy weather by taking a dip in the refreshing, crystal-clear waters of Lacey’s Creek.

Travelers have discovered an enchanting hiking trail through a magical forest teeming with native wildlife

In the tropics of Far North Queensland in Djiru National Park is the Lacey's Creek Walking Track, which can be found less than two hours south of Cairns.

In the tropics of Far North Queensland in Djiru National Park is the Lacey’s Creek Walking Track, which can be found less than two hours south of Cairns.

The spectacular trail takes visitors along the babbling creek and through the lush forest of ferns and towering palm trees forming a shady canopy

The area is tracked only by the forest and wildlife, making visitors feel like they have entered a prehistoric fantasy land

The spectacular trail takes visitors along the babbling creek and through the lush forest of ferns and towering palm trees forming a shady canopy

Swimmers will share the creek’s fresh water with a variety of fish and saw turtles, while hikers may be lucky enough to encounter the park’s cassowaries.

The well-used, gentle trail is about a mile long, takes up to 45 minutes for a round trip, and is best appreciated when walked in a counter-clockwise direction.

There is a viewing platform halfway along the trail to admire the mesmerizing scenery of Lacey’s Creek.

The area is teeming with wildlife from pythons to butterflies, bats, kangaroos, possums and even wild cassowaries.

At the end of the easy trail, travelers can find relief from the region's balmy weather by taking a dip in the refreshing, crystal-clear waters of Lacey's Creek

At the end of the easy trail, travelers can find relief from the region’s balmy weather by taking a dip in the refreshing, crystal-clear waters of Lacey’s Creek

How to get to the Lacey’s Creek Walking Trail from Djiru National Park

Lacey’s Creek Walk is about 4.7 miles from Mission Beach Village along the Mission Beach – El-Arish Road.

This walk is best done in a counterclockwise direction. Starting at the Cassowary Information Shelter, you can learn more about cassowaries, which are often seen in the area.

The track goes through the rainforest and ends at the picnic area near the parking lot.

Source: Mission Beach Cassowaries

Swimmers will share the creek's fresh water with a variety of fish and saw turtles, while hikers may be lucky enough to encounter the park's cassowaries

The well-used, gentle trail is about a mile long, takes up to 45 minutes for a round trip, and is best appreciated when walked in a counter-clockwise direction

Swimmers will share the creek’s fresh water with a variety of fish and saw turtles, while hikers may be lucky enough to encounter the park’s cassowaries

Although cassowaries are usually shy and elusive, they can be aggressive and dangerous if provoked, so walkers should be careful if they cross one of the birds.

Visitors rave about their experience entering the Lacey’s Creek Walking Track, but many advise travelers to arm themselves with insect repellent before venturing out.

‘Beautiful little example of the incomparable rainforest of North Queensland. The crystal clear pristine creeks are teeming with native fish and there are some great spots for a swim in the cool stream,” one traveler wrote online.

“Butterflies everywhere and peacefully flowing streams as your soundtrack make this walk unforgettable,” said another.

What you need to do is you come across a cassowary on a hiking trail in Djiru Park

Cassowaries will notice you when you move and will stop assuming you can’t see them.

Once you get quiet you can easily hear a cassowary or two walking around if the ground cover is fairly dry. Young people can be curious.

If you are approached by a bird, avoid eye contact.

In the very unlikely event that a bird continues to approach you or you notice that it is perched very high, do not look it in the eye, but very slowly back away and place a barrier of trees between you and the bird. (Never run away from a cassowary.

Like Emus, it provokes a reaction to run too) If a cassowary is ignored, it generally loses interest very quickly and moves on.

If you don’t happen to see a bird on Mission Beach and you have time to take a trip to Etty Bay, you may be lucky enough to spot one of the many birds that regularly visit the beach.

Unfortunately, these birds are used to humans. While the adult birds move on when they know you don’t have food, younger birds can be unpredictable and demanding.

We do not recommend taking a picnic to the beach and if a bird approaches you while eating at a table, cover the food and avoid eye contact.

Source: Mission Beach Cassowaries

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