Mount Halifax
📅Sunday 20 September 2026 7:00 am
About this event
When: Sunday 20 September 2026
Location: Mount Halifax, Paluma Range National Park
Leader: Jo
Grade: X78C
X = Duration: Extra long - more than 8 hours
7 = Terrain: Very rough terrain, thick scrub, exposed scrambling, steep ascents/descents, and route-finding required
8 = Fitness: Strenuous - fit, experienced walkers only
C = Modifier: Climb - significant elevation gain and sustained steep ascent/descent
A strenuous full-day summit walk with more than 1,000 m of ascent and descent, steep and loose terrain, rocky creek travel, scrambling, rope-assisted sections, exposed ridges, and remote mountain country.
https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/club-walk-grading-system/
AWTGS = 5 - difficult walking over rough and steep terrain, including rock scrambling, creek travel, loose surfaces, and exposed sections
Distance: Approximately 11 km return
Elevation gain: More than 1,000 m
Duration: Full day - approximately 9-11 hours depending on pace, conditions, and breaks
RSVP: [email protected]
Join Jo for one of the Townsville Bushwalking Club's classic challenging summit walks - Mount Halifax, rising to 1,063 m in the Paluma Range north of Townsville.
Mount Halifax is the prominent mountain often seen behind the pineapple farms near Rollingstone and from the Bruce Highway on the way towards Paluma. Reaching the summit involves a substantial climb through rugged creek and mountain terrain, making this a rewarding day for experienced and fit bushwalkers.
The walk begins by following a beautiful rocky jungle creek, passing waterholes, small waterfalls, and sections of boulder-strewn creek bed. From there, the route climbs increasingly steeply towards the upper ridges of Mount Halifax.
As elevation is gained, the vegetation changes from rainforest and creekside jungle through she-oaks, grass trees, exposed ridges, and upper rainforest near the summit. There are steep climbs, loose surfaces, rock scrambling, and some rope-assisted sections along the way.
On a clear day, the upper ridges and summit offer impressive views across Halifax Bay, the coastline, the Palm Island group, the surrounding Paluma Range, and towards Hinchinbrook Island and Townsville.
The climb to the summit can take around five hours, depending on the group and conditions. After lunch and a well-earned break at the summit, the group will descend by the same general route. The descent remains demanding, particularly on tired legs, with steep and loose terrain requiring care. If time and conditions allow, there may be an opportunity to stop at one of the creek pools or Rope Falls for a refreshing break on the way out.
This is a strenuous walk and is not suitable for beginners. Participants should have strong fitness, previous experience on difficult off-track bushwalks, and be comfortable with steep sustained climbing, scrambling, slippery rocks, loose ground, exposure, and a long day in remote terrain.
A useful fitness benchmark is being able to comfortably complete several steep Castle Hill climbs in succession while still having plenty in reserve for a long descent over rough terrain.
An early start will be required to maximise available daylight. The walk leader may change the route or turn the group around before the summit if progress, weather, track conditions, or available daylight make continuing unsuitable.
Bring:
- At least 3 L of water
- Water treatment or filtration if refilling from creeks
- Lunch and plenty of snacks for a long day
- Electrolytes
- Sturdy footwear with excellent grip
- Long sleeves and long pants for protection from vegetation, sun, scratches, stings, and bites
- Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses
- Rain jacket and a warm layer
- Insect repellent
- Personal first aid kit, including compression bandages and blister treatment
- Head torch with sufficient battery
- Whistle
- Map/GPS or offline mapping if you have it
- Swimmers if you would like to cool off in the creek
- Change of clothes for the trip home
Meeting details, the start time, and access information will be provided once you RSVP directly to Jo at [email protected].
Clicking "Going" on Facebook does not register you for the event. Also note that the location shown on the Facebook event is not necessarily the meeting location. Final meeting details will be emailed to registered participants by the walk leader.
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.
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: Mount Halifax, Paluma Range National Park
Leader: Jo
Grade: X78C
X = Duration: Extra long - more than 8 hours
7 = Terrain: Very rough terrain, thick scrub, exposed scrambling, steep ascents/descents, and route-finding required
8 = Fitness: Strenuous - fit, experienced walkers only
C = Modifier: Climb - significant elevation gain and sustained steep ascent/descent
A strenuous full-day summit walk with more than 1,000 m of ascent and descent, steep and loose terrain, rocky creek travel, scrambling, rope-assisted sections, exposed ridges, and remote mountain country.
https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/club-walk-grading-system/
AWTGS = 5 - difficult walking over rough and steep terrain, including rock scrambling, creek travel, loose surfaces, and exposed sections
Distance: Approximately 11 km return
Elevation gain: More than 1,000 m
Duration: Full day - approximately 9-11 hours depending on pace, conditions, and breaks
RSVP: [email protected]
Join Jo for one of the Townsville Bushwalking Club's classic challenging summit walks - Mount Halifax, rising to 1,063 m in the Paluma Range north of Townsville.
Mount Halifax is the prominent mountain often seen behind the pineapple farms near Rollingstone and from the Bruce Highway on the way towards Paluma. Reaching the summit involves a substantial climb through rugged creek and mountain terrain, making this a rewarding day for experienced and fit bushwalkers.
The walk begins by following a beautiful rocky jungle creek, passing waterholes, small waterfalls, and sections of boulder-strewn creek bed. From there, the route climbs increasingly steeply towards the upper ridges of Mount Halifax.
As elevation is gained, the vegetation changes from rainforest and creekside jungle through she-oaks, grass trees, exposed ridges, and upper rainforest near the summit. There are steep climbs, loose surfaces, rock scrambling, and some rope-assisted sections along the way.
On a clear day, the upper ridges and summit offer impressive views across Halifax Bay, the coastline, the Palm Island group, the surrounding Paluma Range, and towards Hinchinbrook Island and Townsville.
The climb to the summit can take around five hours, depending on the group and conditions. After lunch and a well-earned break at the summit, the group will descend by the same general route. The descent remains demanding, particularly on tired legs, with steep and loose terrain requiring care. If time and conditions allow, there may be an opportunity to stop at one of the creek pools or Rope Falls for a refreshing break on the way out.
This is a strenuous walk and is not suitable for beginners. Participants should have strong fitness, previous experience on difficult off-track bushwalks, and be comfortable with steep sustained climbing, scrambling, slippery rocks, loose ground, exposure, and a long day in remote terrain.
A useful fitness benchmark is being able to comfortably complete several steep Castle Hill climbs in succession while still having plenty in reserve for a long descent over rough terrain.
An early start will be required to maximise available daylight. The walk leader may change the route or turn the group around before the summit if progress, weather, track conditions, or available daylight make continuing unsuitable.
Bring:
- At least 3 L of water
- Water treatment or filtration if refilling from creeks
- Lunch and plenty of snacks for a long day
- Electrolytes
- Sturdy footwear with excellent grip
- Long sleeves and long pants for protection from vegetation, sun, scratches, stings, and bites
- Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses
- Rain jacket and a warm layer
- Insect repellent
- Personal first aid kit, including compression bandages and blister treatment
- Head torch with sufficient battery
- Whistle
- Map/GPS or offline mapping if you have it
- Swimmers if you would like to cool off in the creek
- Change of clothes for the trip home
Meeting details, the start time, and access information will be provided once you RSVP directly to Jo at [email protected].
Clicking "Going" on Facebook does not register you for the event. Also note that the location shown on the Facebook event is not necessarily the meeting location. Final meeting details will be emailed to registered participants by the walk leader.
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.
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: 1
❤️ Interested: 0