Crystal Cascades to Copperlode Dam

Starting from the Crystal Cascades car park at the end of Redlynch Intake Road, this return walk takes you to the Copperlode Dam Lookout and picnic area, exploring the dense, humid rainforest along the way. Expect to be dazzled by the exceptional view over Lake Morris from the scenic picnic area near the dam. There’s no sugarcoating it, the first 1.7 kilometres of this walk is quite steep, but this only makes the view at the end sweeter. The track flattens out after the said waypoint, giving you some time to catch your breath and observe the scenery around you. You can finish the hike with a swim in the Crystal Cascades nearby. The track may become muddy in parts after rainfall. Keep an ear out for wild boars. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Downloads GPX PDF

Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-16.9620322,145.6796013)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Mulgrave Road, A1 Turn on to McCoombe Street, 91 then drive for 2.4 km Keep left onto Pease Street, 91 and drive for another 5.8 km Turn left onto Redlynch Connection Road and drive for another 1.2 km At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Redlynch Intake Road and drive for another 7.9 km

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the Crystal Cascades car park at the end of Redlynch Intake Road, head towards the picnic area along the dirt track as you pass by informative signposts to your left, moving directly away from the road. 165 metres in, make a perpendicular left turn at the 3-way intersection near the picnic tables to continue along Crystal Cascades to Copperlode Dam Track.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start heading along Redlynch Intake Road. There is a toilet (about 60 m back from the start). Find the gate at the start. Find the Crystal Cascades at the start. After another 115 m pass a seat (on your right).
	Turn left, to head along Crystal Cascades - Copperlode Dam Track. After another 20 m pass the shelter (30 m on your right).
	After another 2.3 km (at the intersection of Lake Morris Road & Crystal Cascades - Copperlode Dam Track) turn right, to head along Lake Morris Road (a vehicle track). After another 450 m (at the intersection of Lake Morris Road & Bridle Creek Road) veer right, to head along Lake Morris Road.
	After another 15 m turn left. After another 110 m come to a viewpoint. About 10 m past the end is a cafe. About 25 m past the end is a toilet.
	Turn around here and retrace the main route for 3.1 km to get back to the start.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Crystal Cascades to Copperlode Dam

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	6.2 km
Time	2 h 30 min to 4 h

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)

Some facilities on route

Shelter: There is one 190 m from the start.

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 2.1 km apart with the largest gap of 3.1 km.

Seat: There is one 175 m from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	-62 m	[toilet]
Seat	175 m	[seat]
Shelter	190 m	[shelter]
Toilet	3.1 km	[toilet]

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Cairns Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
  
  Sunday 24 November
  
  31°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, becoming less likely late this afternoon and evening. Winds east to southeasterly 25 to 35 km/h. Daytime maximum temperatures 26 to 33.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:00am to 4:00pm, UV Index predicted to reach 13 [Extreme]
  
  Monday 25 November
  
  23°C → 32°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds easterly 20 to 30 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 18 and 23 with daytime temperatures reaching 27 to 34.
  
  Tuesday 26 November
  
  23°C → 32°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds easterly 15 to 25 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 18 and 23 with daytime temperatures reaching 28 to 35.
  
  Wednesday 27 November
  
  23°C → 33°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds easterly 15 to 25 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 18 and 23 with daytime temperatures reaching 29 to 36.
  
  Thursday 28 November
  
  24°C → 33°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Friday 29 November
  
  25°C → 32°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 6mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Saturday 30 November
  
  24°C → 32°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 6mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Dinden National Park alerts
  Planned burning activities: Dinden National Park (update)
  Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) will be conducting planned burning operations in Dinden National Park from Wednesday 23 October to Saturday 30 November 2024 (dates inclusive). Affected parks: Dinden State Forest; Davies Creek National Park, Dinden National Park, Dinden West Forest Reserve and Bare Hill Conservation Park
  Temporary closure: White Rock peak walking track, Dinden National Park (update 27 Sep)
  Due to recovery works after ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, access to White Rock peak walking track on Lake Morris Road is closed from Wednesday 22 May to Saturday 30 November 2024 (dates inclusive). The walking track will be closed during this period. Affected parks: Davies Creek National Park, Dinden National Park, Dinden West Forest Reserve and Bare Hill Conservation Park
  
  Alert kindly provided by © Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service

Weather Forecast

Alerts