Earl Hill, Trinity Beach, Cairns

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Following on from my previous theme of walks around Cairns, I decided to return to one local to me called Earl Hill. This was a track I had used many years ago when training to tackle the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea. At that time, the track was quite steep, with high step ups, which I needed to train for Kokoda. I would go up and down it about 3 times, with my back pack, to strenghten my legs.

Over the last couple of years, the local Council has completed a lot of work on the track, taking out many of the high steps and putting in a more zig zag track. This has made the track much easier and the steps which have been installed are very good.

A surprise on the way up, was that the Council had added a new track called the Bakarra Track. This made the track really worthwhile, an additional, as it turned out 3kms on an undulating track, more steps and finishing at Trinity Beach was a great new addition.

Having got to Trinity Beach, I headed back up the Bakarra Track and rejoined the Earl Hill track and then back down that to the start. There is no parking at the start of the track, so you have to park a little bit away form the start in a car park by the boat club. My Garmin told me I had done just over 7kms, with a total elevation gain of 395 metres. It took me 1 hour and 46minutes, but would be faster if I hadn't stopped for pictures etc. All in all though a really good workout. The track can sometimes have quite a bit of traffic on it, but thats not a problem with the new track in place.

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Photos

Earl Hill, Trinity Beach, Cairns
Having walked from the car park, we arrive at the track start.

Earl Hill, Trinity Beach, Cairns
The track starts off quite gently and is certainly in good condition.

Earl Hill, Trinity Beach, Cairns
The high step ups have been removed and replaced with nice steps. They still make you work out though as there are plenty of them.

Earl Hill, Trinity Beach, Cairns
As previouly said, lots of steps have been installed, which makes the track easier and safer, but still gives you a good workout.

Earl Hill, Trinity Beach, Cairns
More steps and a good track. Earl Hill has an elevation gain of 194 metres, but certainly is worth the effort

Earl Hill, Trinity Beach, Cairns
The view from the top looking North towards Palm Cove and Double Island

Earl Hill, Trinity Beach, Cairns
The view from the top looking South towards Cairns City. An additional benefit if you are a plane spotter, is that the hill is very close to the Northern approach for planes to Cairns airport. You can see one in this picture on its approach.

Earl Hill, Trinity Beach, Cairns
The signpost for the new Bakarra Track. This track goes down to Trinity Beach and is a great addition to the Track.

Earl Hill, Trinity Beach, Cairns
The new Bakarra Track is really nice and goes through some lovely vegetation.

Earl Hill, Trinity Beach, Cairns
Looking back up to the Earl Hill summit from the Bakarra Track

Earl Hill, Trinity Beach, Cairns
The stairs down to Trinity Beach, From the Summit to the Sea !!!

Earl Hill, Trinity Beach, Cairns
On the beach, looking towards Double Island off Palm Cove