Red Arrow Walk

The basics

Climbing around 328 feet (100 meters) up the mountainside, the Red Arrow Walk is considered moderately challenging, with some steep sections, and takes around an hour to hike. In addition to spotting native wildlife like bush turkeys, wallabies, and pademelons, walkers can enjoy panoramic views over Cairns, the coast, and nearby Green Island from two lookout points along the way.

The Red Arrow Walk is also linked to the more challenging Blue Arrow trail, a 3.7-mile (6-kilometer) loop that climbs to the summit of Mount Lumley Hill, and the 1.9-mile (3-kilometer) Green Arrow trail. The newest track, Yellow Arrow, is considered less strenuous than the other trails.

Things to know before you go

• Beware that you’ll need to climb several steps (more than 250) on each side of the trail.

• About halfway up Red Arrow, the track splits to form the Blue Arrow walk.

• There are picnic shelters at the top of the Red Arrow circuit.

How to get there

The Red Arrow Walk is located inside Mount Whitfield Regional Park, around 3.1 miles (5 kilometers) north of downtown Cairns, close to the Cairns Botanical Gardens. You can begin the hike at the trailhead near the Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre or east of the Tanks Art Centre.

When to get there

Expect to encounter the most people after work, roughly between 4:30pm and 6:30pm, on weekdays and anytime during weekends; this is when many locals head to the Red Arrow Walk to work out. May to September (when it’s cooler and drier) are considered the best time for walking here.

Cairns Botanic Gardens

Located just outside Mount Whitfield Regional Park, the Cairns Botanic Gardens is another natural attraction that draws bikers, joggers, and walkers. This horticultural oasis is home to an extensive orchid collection and a wide range of tropical flora, including exotic species of palms, gingers, bamboo, vines, aroids, and fruit trees.