Stoney Creek Outing
 

With respect to the original custodians
of this land:


Aboriginals believe in two forms of time; two parallel streams of activity. One is the daily objective activity, the other is an infinite spiritual cycle called the "dreamtime", more real than reality itself. Whatever happens in the dreamtime establishes the values, symbols, and laws of Aboriginal society. It was believed that some people of unusual spiritual powers had contact with the dreamtime. The Dreaming establishes the structures of society, rules for social behaviour, and the ceremonies performed in order to ensure continuity of life and land. The Dreaming governs the laws of community, cultural lore and how people are required to behave in their communities. They believe that every person in an essential way exists eternally in the Dreaming.

    Stoney Creek can be accessed from Cairns. Drive 15km along the Brinsmead–Kamerunga Road. Turn left into Stoney Creek Rd. Go straight through the first and second roundabouts until you reach the end of the road, where you will come to a sign that states you are about to enter the Barron Gorge National Park. You will find a well-marked track that takes you along Stoney Creek. This is a wonderful little walk through pristine rainforest along the beautiful, cascading Stoney Creek.

You will cross over a little bridge at the commencement of the walk. We were recommended to wear good walking gear as the first 50 metres of the track is quite rough and rocky, how true!  After this initial climb, the track becomes flat, and a leisurely-paced stroll will took us to the waterfall at the end of the track within half an hour. Along the way we enjoyed finding numerous freshwater swimming pools, some shallow and some deep. Ancient trees and and vines hang over the track, making this a very cool and shady spot during hot summer days. Stoney Creek itself is a perfectly safe place to swim, unlike further downstream where it joins the Barron River - where crocodiles have been sighted.

    At the end of the track, we came to a glorious waterfall. It is actually possible to climb further than this, and if you do, make sure you bring lots of water. Most people just admire the waterfall, spend an afternoon swimming, and return back along the same trail.

 

Photographic Outing, Sunday 18th October 2009