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White Rock Hike Cairns – Hiking and Hiking Guide
The White Rock Hike Cairns is a hiking trail that leads to White Rock Lookout, one of the best viewpoints near Cairns. Views include Cairns, the suburbs, Trinity Inlet, Walsh's Pyramid and Yarrabah. Looking for a decent viewpoint hike that is accessible and close to Cairns? The White Rock hike is a moderately difficult trail that is just a short drive away and in my opinion offers one of the best vantage points overlooking Cairns and the surrounding area. In this quick guide, I'll cover everything you need to know to get to the White Rock Lookout trailhead...
White Rock Hike Cairns – Hiking and Hiking Guide
The White Rock Hike Cairns is a hiking trail that leads to White Rock Lookout, one of the best viewpoints near Cairns. Views include Cairns, the suburbs, Trinity Inlet, Walsh's Pyramid and Yarrabah.
Looking for a decent viewpoint hike that is accessible and close to Cairns? The White Rock hike is a moderately difficult trail that is just a short drive away and in my opinion offers one of the best vantage points overlooking Cairns and the surrounding area.
In this quick guide, I'll describe everything you need to know to get to the White Rock Lookout trailhead, complete the hike, and explain what you might expect on the hike.
alt="WHITE ROCK WALKING TRAIL CAIRNS">
alt=“VIEW OF WHITE ROCK VIEWS”>
alt=“WHITE ROCK PEAK VIEW”>
Where is White Rock Lookout?
White Rock Lookout is located on the Lamb Range right next to Mount Sheridan. The trail is located in Dinden National Park next to Lake Morris Reserve on the mountains overlooking Cairns, which is approximately 10 kilometers to the northeast.
It's easy to see where the name comes from. If you look up at the hills it's easy to see it sticking out like a big white rock. It is a significant viewpoint as it is one of the few exposed rocky outcrops in the range, offering views over Cairns and surrounding suburbs, as well as the entire Trinity Inlet.
alt=“WHITE ROCK HIKE DRONE PHOTO”>Drone shot of White Rock Peak
As with most hikes near Cairns, you will need your own transport to reach the starting point. If you are traveling to Cairns and don't have your own car, I recommend using RentalCars.com. This is a price comparison site that works similarly to Skyscanner.
How to get to the White Rock Walking Track
Looking for precise directions to White Rock Overlook? Sometimes getting to the trail can be a little confusing at first. However, if you follow these instructions you will find it easily.
Although Cairns is only about 10km from White Rock Peak, you will need to allow around 20 minutes for the drive. Because to get to the trailhead you have to drive up the steep and winding Lake Morris Road, which is just off the Cairns Western Arterial Road opposite Brimsmead.
Once you reach the Lake Morris Service Road, you will have to continue uphill for about 10 kilometers. You can monitor the distance by checking the distance markers on the white marker posts on the side of the road.
As you navigate to the pin below, you'll eventually reach a few cleared, grassy areas on the side of the road where you can park your car. The White Rock trailhead begins at a large metal gate on the left side of the road, directly across from the grassy clearing (just after the 9.5KM marker).
The drive up Lake Morris Road takes approximately 15 minutes and includes a few optional viewpoints along the way. One of these is a newly renovated 'Campbells Lookout' which overlooks Cairns but does not rival the views at White Rock Lookout.
It's also important to note that this side road is a popular training route for cyclists. We drove here well before sunrise and had to give way to at least a dozen cyclists. Keep this in mind and pay attention to curves.
Don’t make the mistake of skimming this section and relying on Google to get you to the “White Rock Lookout” pin. This attempts to guide you to the actual viewpoint, not the trailhead.
White Rock Hike Cairns
The White Rock hike is a 5km out and back hike in the Lamb Range, just above Cairns. This route takes approximately 1.5 hours to return if you maintain a decent pace.
The route begins as a wide four-wheel drive road before entering a dense forest with tree roots and uneven ground underfoot. The White Rock Walk is steep in some sections, particularly the final descent to White Rock Lookout. However, there are no technically difficult sections and anyone in good shape can enjoy this hike.
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RELATED: Ivan Evans Walk, Waddlebla Peak & Boiboi Peak
Metal entrance gate to the pylon
The wide steel gate marks the start of the White Rock hike. The first section is flat and quickly emerges at the first pylon where you have to turn almost 180 degrees to continue on the track to the right.
alt=“WHITE ROCK TRACK HEAD”>Steel gate on the left marks the start
alt=“PYLON AT WHITE ROCK CAIRNS”>Go right at the pylon
This route is a four-wheel drive access road to the telecommunications tower and is therefore very wide and easy to navigate. However, this section is also quite steep, so be prepared to sweat a bit.
alt="WHITE ROCK HIKE CAIRNS">4WD access section of the White Rock trail
After a quick leg burn, you'll come to another pylon and a fenced off communications location. You have to go around these on the way to the right. The actual White Rock hiking trail begins behind the fenced building and immediately enters the dense rainforest.
alt=“WHITE ROCK TRAIL DESCRIPTION, PILLARS ON THE ROUTE”>Go around the fence to the right
White Rock bushwalk
As soon as you leave the access road, you are on the most beautiful part of the hike through the forest. This route is scenic as it descends on uneven ground that can become muddy and slippery after heavy rains.
There are orange triangle markers and colored ribbons in the trees that mark the path to the viewpoint.
After about 15 to 20 minutes you will reach a small viewpoint just before a fork. Continue on to the final descent on the White Rock hiking trail to the lookout point, also known as “White Rock Peak.”
alt=“White Rock Trail Cairns”>Take the left path at the survey point
Descent to White Rock Lookout (left path)
It is important to take the left, narrower path to descend the 50 meters to the viewpoint. This final stretch is quite steep, but there are plenty of trees and roots to hold on to as you make your way down.
alt=“Steep descent to White Rock Lookout”>Steep final section to White Rock Lookout
The right path at the fork continues very steeply up to the water towers in Bentley Park. It is also possible to hike to White Rock Lookout this route by driving up on Roberts Road in front of St. Teresa’s School. However, this route is much steeper and less traveled.
RELATED: MOUNT WHITFIELD HIKE
Epic views at White Rock Lookout Cairns
Once you break out of the tree line, you'll realize where this rock gets its name. You'll also understand why it's known as one of the best viewpoints in Cairns.
The views stretch 180 degrees from Cairns to Walsh’s Pyramid and the Gillies Range. Just below you have a perfect view of the suburbs that stretch south of Cairns and a little further out you have uninterrupted views of the entire Trinity Inlet.
We set off from Cairns to White Rock Lookout before sunrise. It was definitely worth it as we were treated to an impressive light show as golden morning rays penetrated the Yarrabah Mountains to illuminate the valley and distant mountain ranges.
alt=“VIEW FROM WHITE ROCK LOOKOUT CAIRNS”>
alt="VIEW FROM WHITE ROCK PEAK CAIRNS">
alt=“WALSH’S PYRAMID OF WHITE ROCK CAIRNS”>
alt="YARRABAH RAIN CLOUDS FROM WHITE ROCK LOOKOUT">
RELATED: GLACIER ROCK LOOKOUT HIKING CAIRNS
GPX map and track data
Below I have included a GPX file that I recorded with my Garmin watch. You can download the file below if you want to upload it to your own GPS watch or phone. However, for this scenic hike I would suggest just sticking to the tapes and information above.
GPX file: Download
My Strava: Visit
Tips for the White Rock hike
- Beginnen Sie früh für die beste Aussicht
- Bringen Sie Deet mit (Zecken und Blutegel können auf dieser Strecke Schädlinge sein)
- Bringen Sie genug Wasser für 2 Stunden zu Fuß mit
- Screenshot oder Lesezeichen dieses Blogs, da der Empfang an der Lake Morris Road lückenhaft ist
- Halten Sie Abstand von der Kante am White Rock Peak, es ist ein steiler Abhang und kann rutschig sein
alt="VIEW FROM WHITE ROCK PEAK CAIRNS">
More hikes and adventure attractions in Cairns
I hope this quick guide to hiking the White Rock hike in Cairns was helpful when planning your trip! If you enjoyed this blog post, why not check out some other ideas in the list of how-tos below.
Otherwise, this mega post on the best things to do in Cairns or this guide to the best hikes in Cairns is a great place to start.
MY CAMERA AND PHOTO EQUIPMENT
- Spiegellose Kamera: Canon R5
- Drohne: DJI Mavic Pro 2
- 360-Grad-Action-Kamera: Insta360 One X2
- Landschaftsobjektiv: Canon RF 15-35 mm f/2.8L
- Allround-Objektiv: Canon RF 24–105 mm f/4L
- Teleobjektiv: Canon RF 100–500 mm f/f/4,5–7,1 L
- Lange Aktionsstange: Insta360 Invisible Pole (BulletTime)
- Landschaftslinsenfilter: Hoya Circular Polarizer
- Kamerarucksack: F-Stop Tilopa
- Lieblingsfotozubehör: Peak Design Capture Clip
For a list of my recommended photography gear (including what I use and why), check out my Travel Camera Gear Guide.
If you would like to use any of the photos on this website, please visit my licensing page to find out how. I also sell professional art prints, visit my Print Store or contact me directly for customs deductions of images on We Seek Travel.
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