The Atherton-Walkamin rail trail begins at Platypus Park, at the southern end of Atherton township. It skirts around the centre of Atherton, and includes the Atherton Mountain Bike Skills Park and mountain bike trailhead which now has two trails that connect the township with the Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park. The rail trail heads north to Tolga, passing just east of the Tolga Scrub, a small remnant of Mabi forest which once covered most of the Atherton Tablelands. From Tolga the trail heads to Rocky Creek which housed the largest military hospital complex in the southern hemisphere during World War 2. Between 1942-5, approximately 60,000 Australian soldiers were treated here for war-related conditions. The rail trail passes beside the Rocky Creek igloo, one of the military complex's remaining buildings which is now being restored by the local Rotary Club. Across the road from the igloo, is the Rocky Creek campground and war memorial park, on the site of what used to be the general hospitals' laundry and medical stores. The memorial park has a number of military unit plaques representing units that had a connection with the Rocky Creek Australian Army hospital, or that trained or provided unit support on the Atherton Tablelands during World War 2. The park is regularly visited throughout the year and becomes the focus of Victory in the Pacific celebrations each year. The rail trail currently ends at the Rocky Creek bridge, however work is continuing a further six kilometres northward to Walkamin (Figure 1B).
Atherton Tablelands Rail Trail
Tablelands Regional Council
Atherton-Herberton Historical Railway Inc
Janurary 2017
The Mareeba to Atherton section of the Cairns to Ravenshoe railway line opened in 1903. The railway line extending to Herberton to transport tin ore to the coast was officially opened in October 1910, and the line eventually reached south to Ravenshoe in 1916. As Queensland's rail traffic decreased due to improved road networks and increased car ownership, Queensland Rail began closing branch railways that were no longer economical to operate. The rail service beyond Atherton ended in 1988 and the last train to Atherton ran in 2004. A tourist railway train operating between Atherton and Herberton ceased operations in 2003.
The Friends of Atherton Tablelands Rail Trail Inc. (FATRT) was formed in 2007 and one of its early initiatives was to assess and develop the rail trail potential on the Tablelands. A feasibility study was commissioned in 2008, and with the support of the Tablelands Regional Council, the last six kilometres of the 20km rail trail between Atherton and Walkamin is now nearing completion. The 14km trail which is open between Atherton and Rocky Creek has proved to be extremely popular with walkers, joggers, bike riders and horse riders
Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the
AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.
Atherton to Walkamin in North Queensland
Atherton Tablelands, 88km south west of Cairns, 1730km from Brisbane
Compacted earth
Photo credit: Rail Trails Australia. For more information and a location map please visit RailTrails Australia.
Looks like I don’t have a GPX file for this trail yet. If you have one you’d be willing to share, please email it to me so we can help other hikers have a safer, easier time out there. I’ll double-check each file to make sure it aligns with official tracks and topo maps before adding it to this hike. Thanks so much for helping build an even better hiking resource.
No Records Found
Sorry, no records were found. Please adjust your search criteria and try again.
Maps failed to load
Sorry, unable to load the Maps API.
If you’ve got some great shots from this hike, I’d love to see them! Please upload your .jpg files here to help inspire other hikers and show off the beauty of the trail.
A quick note: Uploading your photos doesn’t mean you lose ownership. You’ll be credited for any photos you share, and you can request to have them removed at any time.
Starting just south-west of Cairns and rising more than 700m above sea level, the Atherton Tablelands is a lush, fertile region of rainforest, wetland and savannah. An ancient coral reef has eroded over centuries to form rugged limestone caves in Chillagoe and nearby volcanic crater lakes sit amongst a series of tumbling waterfalls.
Spotted a change on this trail? Maybe there are new features, the route has shifted, or the trail is permanently closed. Whatever the update, I’d love your input. Your feedback helps fellow hikers stay informed and ensures that our trail info stays fresh and reliable.
Looking for things to do in North Queensland or nearby? Try these similar hikes or bushwalks.
Favourite
Crater Lakes National Park
Favourite
Favourite
Mount Whitfield Conservation Park
Favourite
Wooroonooran National Park
Adventure with Confidence: Register Your Trip Plans
Before you hit the trail, take a moment to fill out our trip intentions form. It’s a simple way to share important details about your hike with family or friends. If things don’t go as planned and you’re not back on time, they can easily notify emergency services, helping to ensure a quick response and reducing worry. Enjoy your outdoor adventure knowing that you’ve taken a smart step for your safety.
What you carry in your pack will depend on the weather, terrain, time of year, type of adventure, and personal preferences. Having trouble deciding what gear’s right for you? My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.Â
While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.
