Mt Whitfield: Red, Blue, Green Arrow

1 h 45 min to 2 h 30 min
45 min to 1 h 30 min

6 km
oneway segment

↑ 463 m
↓ -415 m

Hard track
Starting from the Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre, Edge Hill, this walk takes you to Bel Air Drive in Whitfield via the Red, Blue and Green Arrow tracks, visiting Mount Whitfield along the way. Located in the city of Cairns, you won’t need to drive too far to get away from urban life. You’ll be walking along three different tracks, each providing a different set of views and features. The red circuit is quite popular as it is short and simple, therefore most people tend to stay on it rather than do the longer ones. The hinterland and the ocean is all yours to see, but the track also lets you get good views of the airplanes taking off and landing to Cairns Airport. You’ll also be able to run this track if you’re up for a good workout as the canopy gives you some decent cover from the sun. Take a bus from the western end to get back to the start if you’d like to. A moderate level of fitness is recommended. Bring plenty of water and insect repellent. 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.
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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.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Segment This is part of longer journey and can not be completed on it is own.
Start (-16.8993416,145.7491088)
Mode Car
DirectionsFrom Sheridan Street, 1
  • Turn on to Collins Avenue then drive for 750 m
  • Turn right and drive for another 40 m
Finish (-16.9022593,145.7230279)
Mode (end)
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre(near the TANK sixtyfour cafe), head along the paved road directly away from Collins Avenue. After coming to the car park at the end of the road, pass through the bollard and head towards the brown sheltered informative signpost behind the blue&white trailhead signpost. Pass by the said brown signpost and head straight into the forest along the well-formed walking track(Red Arrow Circuit). After about 280 metres(from the start), veer left at the fork to continue along the Mt Whitfield: Red, Blue, Green Arrow Track.(Red to Green)....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Find the Wild Bean at the start.
Find the Visitor Centre at the start.
The starting point of an alternate access track. An alternate access point from/to Collins Avenue furhther east down the road. Details below.
After another 275 m continue straight.
After another 10 m veer left.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip taking you to a viewpoint with easterly views. To start this optional side trip veer right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 470 m veer left.
After another 205 m continue straight, to head along Blue Arrow Circuit.
After another 55 m pass the shelter (20 m on your right).
Continue straight, to head along Blue Arrow Circuit.
After another 360 m pass the shelter (on your left).
After another 1.4 km (at the intersection of Blue Arrow Circuit & Green Arrow Walking Track) turn left, to head along Green Arrow Walking Track.
After another 360 m pass the "Mount Whitfield" (45 m on your right).
After another 2.3 km continue straight.
After another 470 m head through/around the gate.
After another 10 m come to the end.

An alternate access point from/to Collins Avenue furhther east down the road.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 20 m turn right.
After another 230 m come to the end.

An optional side trip taking you to a viewpoint with easterly views.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 40 m veer left.
After another 15 m come to a shelter.
A viewpoint.
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 55 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Mt Whitfield: Red, Blue, Green Arrow


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 6 km
Time 1 h 45 min to 2 h 30 min
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 Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route
Shelter: There are 3 on route, on average they are 1.5 km apart with the largest gap of 4.6 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Shelter
770 m + 55 m[shelter]
Shelter
1 km[shelter]
Shelter
1.4 km[shelter]
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