Places and Drives - The Northern Tropics - Bump Track

The Bump Track is an aptly named trail used by pioneers in the 1800's to travel from the coast near Port Douglas up to gold and tin fields on the Tablelands. It follows the route of an Aboriginal walking track adapted for use by horse coaches and bullock drays. In the early pioneering days, the Bump Track was a busy thoroughfare with regular pub stops. (They were much appreciated by unfortunate passengers who had to walk up and down steep sections of the track.) Historical records report teamsters gored by bullocks, lonely graves by the roadside, and the trials of dragging heavy mine machinery over the range. In the wet season, the entire track would become a quagmire, halting all wagon transport until the rains had stopped. Now the track is much quieter and has become popular among hikers and mountain bikers. The first section from the coast rises steeply but the panoramic views are rewarding.

How to get there
The track begins in the Mowbray Valley a few kilometres south of Port Douglas . Turn off the Cook Highway and drive 2km (1.2 miles) to the base of range and the start of the track. Cyclists require permits from the DNR office in Atherton (phone 4091-1844).