Alligators Nest, Tully is the coming together of two gorgeous freshwater creeks flowing down from the tropical mountains in Far North Queensland and can be found in Tully Gorge National Park.
The Tully River originates high up in Cardwell Range, making its way down through the thick rainforest gorge. Tully Gorge National Park helps to make up the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, giving locals and tourists the opportunity to camp, hike, picnic and swim, surrounded by lush, cool greenery.
This would have to be the most beautiful swimming hole I’ve dunked my toes into yet! I reckon it beats all those touristy spots like Josephine Falls and Millaa Millaa Falls. Why? Because it wasn’t full of crowds, plus it was very user-friendly (as in, easy to get into with plenty of room for everyone). The water was fresh (cold), but it was so gorgeous even I couldn’t resist getting a little wet!
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Alligators Nest, Tully
Why is it Called Alligators Nest?
The Alligators Nest swimming hole has nothing to do with reptiles and everything to do with the local Scout Group, ‘The Alligators,’ who used to meet up there. In fact, this spot is actually one of the waterholes in Far North Queensland that doesn’t have any crocodiles lurking in it!
Alligators Nest Swimming Hole
There are some steps leading down into the Alligators Nest swimming hole from a wheelchair-friendly viewing platform up the top.
The water that you’ll step into is quite shallow and suitable for younger swimmers. For a deeper swim, head downstream. For a rockier exploration, head upstream.
With crystal clear water and lovely sand under your feet, this swimming hole provides beautiful relief from the humidity of the northern tropics.
Alligators Nest is really a much less crowded version of Babinda Boulders!
Alligators Nest Facilities
🏊 Swimming (stairs into the water)
🚽 Toilets (wheelchair accessible)
🍎 Picnic Tables
🔥 Gas BBQ shelter
♿️ Wheelchair Access
🚗 2WD Access
Are Dogs Allowed at Alligators Nest?
No, domestic animals, including dogs, are not allowed at Alligators Nest Tully as it is a National Park.
Alligators Nest Safety Tips
Safety & precautions:
- The 2 causeways on Lizzio Road (coming down to the car park) are subject to flash flooding – check the weather forecast
- Always have plenty of food & water in case you get stranded in
- Be careful walking & climbing on slippery rocks
- No diving or jumping – the water depth can be deceptive with hidden rocks underwater
- Look out for Cassowaries – do not feed or approach them
- Alligators Nest is a glass-free zone
- No dogs allowed (National Park)
Alligators Nest Location
The Alligators Nest day-use area is about 6km north of Tully.
Alligators Nest Tully Directions:
- Turn off the Bruce Highway onto Butler Street at the Tully exit
- At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Murray Street
- Continue along Murray Street (which becomes Bulgan Road) for 6.1km
- Turn left at the end of Bulgan Road onto Lizzio Road and drive 800m to the Alligators Nest carpark
| Alligators Nest Address |
|---|
| Alligators Nest Swimming Hole Walter Hill QLD 4854 |
Use the red pin drops on the map below to see:
- Tully township
- Alligators Nest Swimming Hole
- Tully Gorge Camping & Day-use Area
- Cochable Creek Camping Area
Alligators Nest Tully Camping
There is no camping at the Alligators Nest swimming hole as it is a day-use area only. However, you can enjoy camping at two different campsites in the Tully Gorge National Park.
If you have a look on WikiCamps, you’ll also find two additional campsites that people have added, which are also worth checking out if you want to stay in the area.
Tully Gorge Camping & Day-use Areas
The Tully Gorge Camping and Day-use Areas are located 42km northwest of Tully. They offer a large, open, grassy camping area with hard pads available, which are handy in bad weather. The campsite is nestled alongside the Tully River within the Tully Gorge National Park.
Tully Gorge ACCESS:
- 2WD access
- Suitable for tents, campers, caravans & motorhomes
- DO NOT SWIM – estuarine crocodiles + water dam releases
Tully Gorge Camping FEATURES:
⛺️ Tents, Campers, Caravans & Motorhomes
♨️ Wood BBQs (BYO wood)
🔥 Camp fires allowed
🪑 Picnic tables
🚿 Cold shower
🚻 Compostable toilets (wheelchair access)
⚡️ Generators < 65dB(A) permitted from 9am – 12noon
🦩 Cassowaries (do not feed, lock away rubbish & food)
🐊 Estuarine crocodiles
❌ NO: drinking water, pets, mobile phone reception
Tully Gorge Camping DIRECTIONS:
- Take the Dean Road exit off the Bruce Highway 1.4km south of Tully (which will become Tully Gorge Road)
- Drive 41km west until you reach the campground and day-use areas
Cochable Creek Camping Area
The Cochable Creek camping area is conveniently located alongside Cochable Creek, within the Tully Gorge National Park. It mainly serves as a trailhead for the Koolmoon Creek track and the Cannabullen Creek track, which are part of the Misty Mountains wilderness tracks.
Cochable Creek ACCESS:
- 4WD only
- Unsuitable for caravans
- Suitable for tents & camper trailers (in the car park)
- Campsite is a 50m walk from the car park
Cochable Creek Camping FEATURES:
⛺️ Tents & Camper Trailers
🪑 Sheltered picnic tables
🚻 Hybrid toilet
⚡️ Generators < 65dB(A) permitted from 8am – 7pm
🦩 Cassowaries (do not feed, lock away rubbish & food)
🐊 Estuarine crocodiles
❌ NO: open fires, drinking water, mobile phone reception, pets
Cochable Creek Camping Area DIRECTIONS:
- Take the Dean Road exit off the Bruce Highway 1.4km south of Tully (which will become Tully Gorge Road)
- Drive 37.6km to the Cochable Creek/H Road turn-off on the right before crossing the Tully River (signposted as ‘Misty Mountains’)
- The camping area is 9km further along the unsealed road
Tully Gorge National Park Camping Fees & Bookings
All bookings for Tully Gorge National Park camping can be made here.
| QLD National Park Camping Fees | |
|---|---|
| • Per Person – $7 per night • Family (up to 8 people) – $28 per night • Students – $3.85 per night • Children Under 5 – FREE |
More Things to do in Tully
While visiting Tully, there are plenty more things to do in the area. From flying down Australia’s best rafting river to climbing inside a giant gumboot, Tully has a lot to offer travellers!
Things to do in Tully:
- BIG Golden Gumboot
- Tully Sugar Mill Tour
- Kareeya Hydro Power Station
- Watch the Sugar Cane Trains in Crushing Season
- Tully Visitor & Heritage Centre
- Tully Gorge National Park
- Skate Park Art
- Ride the River Rapids
- Art Deco & Historical Walk
- Climb Mount Tyson
- Tully Heads & Hull Heads
- Horse Riding through the Rainforest
- Murray Falls
- Tully Markets
To plan your Tully trip, check out these 15+ things to do while visiting Tully in Far North QLD.
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