Cape Cleveland
📅Sunday 13 September 2026 5:30 am
About this event
When: Sunday 13 September 2026
Location: Cocoa Creek to Cape Cleveland, Bowling Green Bay National Park
Leader: Wilfred
Grade: X78
X = Duration: Extra long - more than 8 hours
7 = Terrain: Very rough terrain, sustained rock hopping and scrambling, coastal headlands, mangroves, beaches, bushwalking off-track, and route-finding required
8 = Fitness: Strenuous - fit, experienced walkers only
A long and demanding coastal bushwalk from the Cocoa Creek area towards Cape Cleveland, following the Cleveland Bay coastline through remote beaches, rocky headlands, coastal bushland, and rugged off-track terrain.
https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/club-walk-grading-system/
AWTGS = 5 - difficult off-track walking with sustained rough terrain, rock hopping, scrambling, route-finding, and remote coastal travel
Distance: Approximately 20-26 km return, depending on vehicle access and the route taken
Duration: Approximately 8-10 hours walking
Meeting time: 5:30 am at Alligator Creek for carpooling
RSVP: [email protected]
Join Wilfred for a challenging full-day coastal adventure along Cleveland Bay, beginning near Cocoa Creek and heading towards Cape Cleveland.
The group will meet at Alligator Creek at 5:30 am for carpooling before driving to Cocoa Creek and continuing along a rough four-wheel-drive track towards the Cape. Vehicles will be left before the mangrove section, with the remainder of the journey completed on foot. Exact meeting and access details will be provided to registered participants.
From the vehicles, the route follows the remote Cleveland Bay coastline towards Cape Cleveland. Expect a mixture of beaches, rocky shorelines, coastal vegetation, rough headlands, rock-hopping, scrambling, and sections of cross-country walking. There is no established walking track for much of this route, and the exact route will depend on tides, conditions, and which terrain provides the safest passage on the day.
The walk is highly tide-dependent. The aim will be to negotiate the rocky headlands and coastal terrain while keeping footwear dry where practical, but participants should expect wet feet. Lightweight footwear that drains and dries reasonably well is strongly recommended - leather boots are not suitable.
This is also crocodile country. Estuarine crocodiles inhabit the sea, creeks, mangroves, and tidal waterways around Cape Cleveland. The group will avoid entering tidal waterways wherever possible and will follow the walk leader's instructions regarding safe passage. If tidal conditions prevent a safe route, the walk may be altered or turned around rather than entering unsafe water.
Cape Cleveland is a spectacular and remote destination, with rugged granite headlands, secluded beaches, coastal woodland, mangroves, and views across Cleveland Bay. Depending on progress and conditions, the aim is to reach the Cape before returning along the coast to the vehicles.
Allow approximately 4-5 hours each way. This means participants must be capable of walking for up to 10 hours over rough terrain and should already be experienced with sustained rock hopping, rock scrambling, and off-track bushwalking. This is not a suitable walk for beginners or walkers who are uncertain about their fitness.
The walk will begin very early, but everyone must carry a head torch in case the group is delayed and finishes after dark.
Bring:
* Up to approximately 3 L of drinking water for the walk in
* Water treatment tablets or another reliable treatment method for the planned water refill at the Cape
* Lunch and plenty of high-energy snacks for a long day
* Electrolytes
* Lightweight, enclosed footwear with excellent grip that can tolerate getting wet - no leather boots
* Long sleeves and long pants for sun and vegetation protection
* Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses
* Insect repellent
* Personal first aid kit, including compression bandages and blister treatment
* Head torch with sufficient battery
* Whistle
* Personal locator beacon, if you have one
* Offline maps/GPS, if you have them
* Waterproof protection for phone, electronics, and other essential gear
* Change of clothes and footwear for the trip home
Mobile phone coverage in this part of Bowling Green Bay National Park can be poor, so participants should be prepared for a genuinely remote day.
The final route, turnaround point, and whether the Cape can be reached will be determined by Wilfred based on tides, weather, track conditions, group progress, and available daylight.
Registration with the walk leader is essential. This walk is only open to fit, experienced walkers who are comfortable spending up to 10 hours travelling through rough coastal terrain.
Please RSVP directly to Wilfred at [email protected]
Clicking "Going" on Facebook does not register you for the event. The exact meeting address at Alligator Creek, carpooling arrangements, and final details will be emailed to registered participants.
This event is free. Visitors may participate in up to three Club walks without charge. After completing their third walk, visitors must apply to become members.
Some activities may be suitable for children, depending on the nature of the trip, the terrain, and the child's age, experience, and ability. Children older than 12 and under 18 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian unless the Club has approved other arrangements consistent with its current policies. Given the duration, remoteness, and difficult terrain of this walk, please contact Wilfred before attending with a child so he can advise whether the activity is appropriate.
Please read the Townsville Bushwalking Club's Walker Guidelines and What to Bring information before attending:
Walker Guidelines - https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/walker-guidelines/
Walk Together - https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/walk-together/
What to Bring? - https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/what-to-bring/
Location: Cocoa Creek to Cape Cleveland, Bowling Green Bay National Park
Leader: Wilfred
Grade: X78
X = Duration: Extra long - more than 8 hours
7 = Terrain: Very rough terrain, sustained rock hopping and scrambling, coastal headlands, mangroves, beaches, bushwalking off-track, and route-finding required
8 = Fitness: Strenuous - fit, experienced walkers only
A long and demanding coastal bushwalk from the Cocoa Creek area towards Cape Cleveland, following the Cleveland Bay coastline through remote beaches, rocky headlands, coastal bushland, and rugged off-track terrain.
https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/club-walk-grading-system/
AWTGS = 5 - difficult off-track walking with sustained rough terrain, rock hopping, scrambling, route-finding, and remote coastal travel
Distance: Approximately 20-26 km return, depending on vehicle access and the route taken
Duration: Approximately 8-10 hours walking
Meeting time: 5:30 am at Alligator Creek for carpooling
RSVP: [email protected]
Join Wilfred for a challenging full-day coastal adventure along Cleveland Bay, beginning near Cocoa Creek and heading towards Cape Cleveland.
The group will meet at Alligator Creek at 5:30 am for carpooling before driving to Cocoa Creek and continuing along a rough four-wheel-drive track towards the Cape. Vehicles will be left before the mangrove section, with the remainder of the journey completed on foot. Exact meeting and access details will be provided to registered participants.
From the vehicles, the route follows the remote Cleveland Bay coastline towards Cape Cleveland. Expect a mixture of beaches, rocky shorelines, coastal vegetation, rough headlands, rock-hopping, scrambling, and sections of cross-country walking. There is no established walking track for much of this route, and the exact route will depend on tides, conditions, and which terrain provides the safest passage on the day.
The walk is highly tide-dependent. The aim will be to negotiate the rocky headlands and coastal terrain while keeping footwear dry where practical, but participants should expect wet feet. Lightweight footwear that drains and dries reasonably well is strongly recommended - leather boots are not suitable.
This is also crocodile country. Estuarine crocodiles inhabit the sea, creeks, mangroves, and tidal waterways around Cape Cleveland. The group will avoid entering tidal waterways wherever possible and will follow the walk leader's instructions regarding safe passage. If tidal conditions prevent a safe route, the walk may be altered or turned around rather than entering unsafe water.
Cape Cleveland is a spectacular and remote destination, with rugged granite headlands, secluded beaches, coastal woodland, mangroves, and views across Cleveland Bay. Depending on progress and conditions, the aim is to reach the Cape before returning along the coast to the vehicles.
Allow approximately 4-5 hours each way. This means participants must be capable of walking for up to 10 hours over rough terrain and should already be experienced with sustained rock hopping, rock scrambling, and off-track bushwalking. This is not a suitable walk for beginners or walkers who are uncertain about their fitness.
The walk will begin very early, but everyone must carry a head torch in case the group is delayed and finishes after dark.
Bring:
* Up to approximately 3 L of drinking water for the walk in
* Water treatment tablets or another reliable treatment method for the planned water refill at the Cape
* Lunch and plenty of high-energy snacks for a long day
* Electrolytes
* Lightweight, enclosed footwear with excellent grip that can tolerate getting wet - no leather boots
* Long sleeves and long pants for sun and vegetation protection
* Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses
* Insect repellent
* Personal first aid kit, including compression bandages and blister treatment
* Head torch with sufficient battery
* Whistle
* Personal locator beacon, if you have one
* Offline maps/GPS, if you have them
* Waterproof protection for phone, electronics, and other essential gear
* Change of clothes and footwear for the trip home
Mobile phone coverage in this part of Bowling Green Bay National Park can be poor, so participants should be prepared for a genuinely remote day.
The final route, turnaround point, and whether the Cape can be reached will be determined by Wilfred based on tides, weather, track conditions, group progress, and available daylight.
Registration with the walk leader is essential. This walk is only open to fit, experienced walkers who are comfortable spending up to 10 hours travelling through rough coastal terrain.
Please RSVP directly to Wilfred at [email protected]
Clicking "Going" on Facebook does not register you for the event. The exact meeting address at Alligator Creek, carpooling arrangements, and final details will be emailed to registered participants.
This event is free. Visitors may participate in up to three Club walks without charge. After completing their third walk, visitors must apply to become members.
Some activities may be suitable for children, depending on the nature of the trip, the terrain, and the child's age, experience, and ability. Children older than 12 and under 18 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian unless the Club has approved other arrangements consistent with its current policies. Given the duration, remoteness, and difficult terrain of this walk, please contact Wilfred before attending with a child so he can advise whether the activity is appropriate.
Please read the Townsville Bushwalking Club's Walker Guidelines and What to Bring information before attending:
Walker Guidelines - https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/walker-guidelines/
Walk Together - https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/walk-together/
What to Bring? - https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/what-to-bring/
👥 Attending: 2
❤️ Interested: 7