Last visited: July 2021
Distance: 6km
Time: Allow for at least 90 minutes, longer if you want to really enjoy all this beauty has to offer with a swim and picnic lunch
Difficulty: 3.5/10
Reward/ Effort Ratio: 9/10
Behana Gorge is an absolute hiking favourite of both Rochelle and Sarah's. If you are new to hiking, this is the one to start on! If you are a bit more seasoned to hiking, we guarantee you will still love it! It's a popular hike with the Cairns' locals as it is a relatively quick hike with a well maintained stable footpath/ track with great swimming opportunities and, if completed early enough, still gives you plenty of time to enjoy the rest of your day.
Behana Gorge is located approximately 30 minutes south of Cairns in a suburb called Aloomba, just past Gordonvale. It belongs to the catchment of Wooroonooran National Park and it supplies Cairns with fresh rain forest water.
How to get there:
From Cairns CBD, drive south on Bruce Highway for approximately 30km.
Start looking out for signage after you pass the township of Gordonvale, it will be approximately 5 minutes more and as the street sign is small, it's easy to miss. Personally we look for the 'waste transfer' road sign (which is a blue sign) and then Behana Gorge Rd will be the next right.
Follow Behana Gorge Road for 4.5km where you will reach a dead end and a gravel car park with a big gate signalling the start of the hike.
What you need to know:
The hike is approximately 6 km round trip and is there and back and takes approximately 45min each way.
It is suitable for any time of year. If you hike in summer, leave early in the morning and utilize the opportunity to go for a dip at the waterhole. Even for both of us who are a little precious about cold water, we both agree it makes for a great swimming location-> no wonder it's a popular spot! We would advice wearing your swimmers if you don't like getting dressed in public as there are no toilets and not many hidden spots to do a sneaky change. Also, bring a towel so at very little least you can dry your feet off- nothing worse then putting socks and shoes on dripping wet feet!
If there has been a big wet season, it is still worth the walk there but be mindful you may not get to swim as the currents and flow will be too forceful. People have lost their lives here so please be safe!
There is a toilet at the entrance but it isn't signed and it's just next to a fenced off building and it flushes! Luxury! We honestly don't know if it has always been there but we only discovered it on our last trip out here!
The track itself is a wide, well maintained gravel path that leads from the entrance gate all the way to the top of gorge itself. Beside it runs the water pipe and it is illegal to climb it. It is absolutely impossible to get lost. It is pram and wheelchair friendly and even young children would be able to achieve this hike so it really is a hike for the whole family! There are some steep sections but it would be capable for most fitness levels to achieve.
Once you reach the top which is barred by gates preventing people from going further, you can pick your way through an unformed track to get to the water. This is only 20m in distance max and really isn't very difficult. This section unfortunately isn't wheelchair or pram friendly but there are plenty of vantages points to still soak in the views of the waterfall.
As it is a national park, ensure you take all rubbish with you as there are no bins provided.
Enjoy a wide, well maintained cement path all the way from the carpark to the top of the gorge which is pram and wheelchair friendly.
There are plenty of little waterholes that are easily accessible from the main footpath, so if it isn't busy, you may have a waterhole all to yourself. And don't worry, no crocodiles here!
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