The Cronan Creek Falls track is a moderately challenging 12km return hike within Mount Barney National Park, Queensland. Rated as Grade 4, the track is suitable for experienced hikers and takes approximately 4 hours to complete.
The hike begins at the Yellow Pinch car park on Upper Logan Road. Follow the main trail until you reach the Yellow Pinch gate. Pass through the turnstile and continue along the designated management trail for 5.4km. Keep an eye out for the Cronan Creek Falls turnoff – a marked track branching 100 metres to the left of the main trail.
This side track leads you alongside the picturesque Cronan Creek, with opportunities for swimming in natural pools along the way. Be prepared for creek crossings, which can become more challenging after heavy rainfall. The track winds through beautiful rainforest scenery, offering glimpses of Mount Lindesay and Mount Barney in the distance. Keep in mind that recent rain can increase water levels and make the hike more difficult.
The hidden waterfall itself lies further along the creek bed. To reach it, follow the track for approximately 6km until you see a small sign on your left indicating the turnoff. From here, a short track leads 100 metres to the creek, where you'll need to navigate some rocks to reach the base of the waterfall. The secluded swimming hole offers a refreshing reward after your hike, but be aware that the water remains cool even during summer months.
Grade 4 (Hard) -
Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the
AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.
- Take care near creeks and pools. Never dive or jump into creeks or pools as the water may be shallow or hide submerged objects.
Total distance: 11784 m
Max elevation: 471 m
Min elevation: 244 m
Total climbing: 411 m
Total descent: -410 m
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To reach the Mount Barney trailhead at Yellow Pinch Car Park, navigate to Upper Logan Road using your preferred mapping app. This scenic route is accessible by conventional vehicles. From either direction on the Mount Lindesay Highway, turn onto Barney View Road near Palen Creek. After following Barney View Road for a short while, take a left turn onto Upper Logan Road. Continue for approximately 25 minutes, passing Barney View and Mount Barney Lodge along the way. You'll arrive at the Yellow Pinch Car Park on your left-hand side. Park your car and look for signage to direct you towards your chosen walking track.
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Mount Barney National Park, a World Heritage Site encompassed by the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, boasts a dramatic landscape. Roughly 120km southwest of Brisbane along the Mount Lindesay Highway, the park is dominated by the rugged peaks of Mounts Barney, Maroon, May, Lindesay, Ernest, Ballow and Clunie. These peaks are remnants of the ancient Focal Peak Shield Volcano, which erupted a staggering 24 million years ago. Notably, Mount Barney holds the title of second-highest peak in Southeast Queensland.
Within the park's boundaries lie cascading creeks and pristine rainforests that provide sanctuary for a wealth of rare plants and vulnerable animals. Visitors seeking a relaxed experience can explore the Yellow Pinch picnic area, where kingfishers flit above the water's surface. For seasoned hikers, the opportunity awaits to ascend the park's sheer peaks and be rewarded with awe-inspiring vistas of craggy ridges and distant ranges. Less adventurous visitors can enjoy several moderate walking tracks that weave around the base of the mountains.
The park's diverse vegetation ranges from open forests at the foothills to subtropical rainforests above 600 metres and montane heath shrublands closer to the summits. Interestingly, the summit of Mount Ballow features cool temperate rainforest, while Mount Maroon boasts mallee eucalypt shrublands.
A botanical haven, the park offers refuge to numerous rare and unusual plant species. Among these are the endangered Mount Maroon wattle (Acacia saxicola), the near-threatened bell-fruited mallee (Eucalyptus codonocarpa), the vulnerable bush pea (Pultenaea whiteana), and the Hillgrove gum (Eucalyptus michaeliana).
Encompassing a significant portion of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, Mount Barney National Park provides a network of four established and graded walking tracks. These tracks offer the chance to appreciate the park's beauty, including its cascading creeks and pockets of subtropical rainforest, without requiring an ascent of the mountains. All four tracks are classified as grade 4, so choose the one that best suits your group's fitness level. Remember to avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day.
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Mount Barney National Park
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Mount Barney National Park
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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.
Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.
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
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