Hartley's Creek and Flat Rock

A two-fer!

In Wangetti, just south of Port Douglas, there is a crocodile farm called Hartley's Crocodile Adventures. Park there. Crocodile farms aren't really my thing, so I took the path next to the farm sign-posted as "Water Fall ->". Waterfalls are really my thing, so this was much more appealing. While I don't know if this place is in any tourist guides, it's pretty clearly marked on Google Maps - so I didn't feel like I was encroaching on a locals-only spot. And I don't feel like I'm doing the wrong thing writing about it here.

The walk is about 8km return, once you include detouring and exploring along the way. It's not an easy walk, but you could probably claim that it's an easy hike. Bringing a pram would be near-impossible. Wheel-chairs definitely wouldn't make it. Most of the path is reasonably neat, except when you get closer to the falls when there is a bit of scrabbling over rocks. There is quite a bit of vertical to cover, as it is a very undulating path. But take it easy and bring enough water and you'll be just right.

Half-way-ish along the path you get to Flat Rock. When I walked past, there were quite a few people basking on the rocks here, so I kept going - heading for the main attraction of the waterfall at Hartley's Creek.

After scrabbling over the rocks at the end of the walking track, you arrive at the waterfall and pool. There weren't many other people there - only two small groups - and it felt pretty secluded and like you were part of a small secret club.

Walking back past Flat Rock, all the people who were there previously had gone, so I took the opportunity to pop in the water for a quick nudie-swim. I didn't linger, because I knew a couple of groups of people would be coming back the same way, and I assumed there would be people walking in as the day cooled off.

A gorgeous day out exploring. I'd wholeheartedly recommend it.