Tully Gorge Lookout – How to get here and what to expect

Tully Gorge Lookout – How to get here and what to expect

Tully Gorge Lookout is one of tropical north Queensland's best kept secrets. Read this blog to find out how to get to Tully Gorge and what to expect at this prehistoric rainforest viewpoint.

While the Tully Gorge waterfall viewpoint was once a Queensland icon, its fame has slowly faded and has once again become a hidden gem, only really for those who really want to make the effort to reach this incredible place.

If you're debating whether or not to do the mission to Tully Gorge - do it! The short walk makes it very easy to reach and the reward for the long journey is worth tenfold. In this guide I will detail how to get to Tully Gorge, what to expect at the Tully Gorge viewpoint and include some photos that I hope will inspire your visit.

See also: The 11 best tours and experiences in Cairns

Across Tully Gorge

Tully Gorge is a 293 meter long rocky gorge carved by the Tully River as it flows downstream from the densely forested Cardwell Range.

Located in Tully Gorge National Park, Tully Gorge Falls Viewpoint was once a Queensland landmark. However, in the late 1950s, the Tully River was dammed further upstream for the Kareeya hydroelectric power station. Consequently, Tully Falls has been reduced to a mere trickle and only maintains a solid flow after very heavy rain.

However, at least for me, the Tully Gorge viewpoint was more of an attraction than the waterfall anyway. The view is stunning and one that truly humbles you.
alt=“TULLY GORGE LOOKOUT CAIRNS”>

How to get to Tully Gorge

So how do I get here? Do not confuse the Tully Gorge viewpoint with the township of Tully. The gorge is accessed from the Tablelands and not from the coast south of Innisfail.

From Cairns, expect to drive at least 2 hours and 15 minutes up Gillies Range Road, past Millaa Millaa and Malanda on the way to Ravenshoe, QLD's highest town. From Ravenshoe you need to turn right onto Tully Falls Road (near Little Millstream Falls) and follow it all the way until you see the very obvious sign and turnoff to Tully Gorge.

This road is newly paved so you can easily get here in your average 2WD sedan or hatchback.

Tip: If you don't have a car, you can find great deals in FNQ by using RentalCars.com to compare prices before booking.

However, without phone reception the road is long and narrow, so make sure you insert the pin below before you set off.

Google Maps Pin: Tully Gorge Lookout

See also: The ultimate packing list for Cairns

Tully Gorge Falls Viewpoint

Once you arrive at Tully Gorge Lookout, you can park your car in the wide clearing and walk straight to the fence that is the old Tully Gorge Falls Lookout. Normally the waterfall is completely dry, so it is best to take the short 800 meter waterfall path to your right.
alt=“TULLY GORGE IF VIEWS“>
At the end of the route there is a sign indicating the turning point. Since it hadn't rained, I wanted to reach the top of the gorge for a better view. I went left here, through some bushes and onto the worn, rocky plateau above the slope.
alt="TULLY GORGE RAINFOREST HIKE">

RELATED POST: Cairns Hikes: 36 Best Hikes in Cairns

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My experience at Tully Gorge

It's quite incredible to think that the rocky platform above the gorge was once the overflow for one of QLD's most powerful waterfalls. Instead, the rocks are now a skeleton of hollowed-out channels and deep rock pools.

I arrived at sunrise hoping to catch the sun rising behind the mountain, but was instead rewarded with a beautiful sea of ​​clouds. I knew this wouldn't last long, so I grabbed a seat and waited for it to clear.

As I sat alone, I watched in awe as the mist peeled back its hazy curtains to reveal a Jurassic landscape of raw, ancient beauty. As the rocky island slowly awoke from its nighttime sleep, the gentle sound of flowing streams and the echo of a single bird's call were the only sounds reminiscent of that familiar morning clearing.

I wondered how many times this theatrical performance had played out, unchanged and unhindered, for millennia - and I was present for just one session, a single drop in the eternal stream of time.
alt="TULLY GORGEOUS VIEW">

Featured in: Great things to do in the Atherton Tablelands

Swimming in Tully Gorge

I think it's important to note that QLD Parks definitely does not recommend people go to the cliff or spillway or swim in the natural infinity rock pools near the edge. However, if you look online, you're sure to find hundreds of photos of people doing just that. Due to the 700 meter altitude, it was a bit cold when I visited in the early hours of the morning, so I didn't swim.

Just remember, as with anything in life, for any risk you take, just remember to use your own judgment, monitor the conditions, and most importantly, use common sense.
alt="SWIMMING AT TULLY GORGE ROCK POOL">

More photos from the lookout point

Unfortunately my drone crashed a week before and I sent it in for repairs. So as I took DSLR photos near the spillway, I fretted over the missed epic drone opportunities. If you have a drone, Tully Gorge Lookout is definitely the place to take some truly epic aerial shots.

Anyway, I was pretty happy with the photos I took of my morning at Tully Gorge. I've listed a few more below that I hope will inspire you to embark on the long mission to this incredible piece of Australia!
alt=“TULLY GORGE WATERFALL LOOKOUT INFINITY POOL”>
alt=“TULLY GORGE ON A FOGGY MORNING SUNRISE”>
alt=“TULLY GORGE QUEENSLAND”>

Don't miss: More epic adventures in tropical north Queensland

Did you enjoy this guide to visiting Tully Gorge and Tully Gorge Lookout? Be sure to check out some of my other blogs and guides below for more epic Far North Queensland adventure inspiration.

For those in Cairns, I have also written a comprehensive waterfall guide and things to do list that you will definitely enjoy.

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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