A short walk in the Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park, exploring two self-guided caves and Balancing Rock, an enormous limestone boulder. Near Balancing Rock is one of two accessible Aboriginal art sites in the Chillagoe Caves area.
A short and partly off-track loop that explores the intrigung Gosford Glyphs (Kariong Hieroglyphs) and passes some Aboriginal engraving sites, before returning via the Lyre Trig Firetrail.
The Nandroya Falls Loop bushwalk in the Wooroonooran National Park passes some small cascades, with the destination being a spectacular plunge waterfall and large swimming hole.
The very distinctive Walshs Pyramid is about 30min south of Cairns. The steep climb up the summit rewards with sweeping views over the Atherton Tablelands and surrounding peaks.
A short loop walk in the Dinden National Park (an hour from Cairns), the Davies Creek Falls circuit track combines great views, a waterfall and many idyllic swimming holes.
A partly off-track bushwalk in the McPherson State Forest, following the Slip Up Trail and visiting some shelters with Aboriginal rock art.
The Clover Hill Trail combines an easy walk along an old forestry road, followed by a challenging scramble through rainforest. It passes four waterfalls and some nice swimming holes.
Fans Horizon is a short (3.6km return) bushwalk that climbs up to a lookout over the Grand High Tops area. For best photos go late in the day.
The most popular bushwalk in the Warrumbungle National Park, the Breadknife and Grand High Tops bushwalk offers spectacular views of the volcanic rock formations. A side-trip to the top of Bluff Mountains adds some of the best views along the extended loop.
A short but challenging loop walk, the Belougery Split Rock track in Warrumbungle National Park offers spectacular views from the top of an ancient lava dome.