Summary

The Sunshine State

Queensland has a wealth of bushwalking opportunities including multiple World Heritage Listed rainforests such as the Daintree and Lamington National Park, great coastal and island parks like Fraser Island and Hinchinbrook Island.

Other Information

World Heritage Areas

• Fraser Island
• Gondwana Rainforests of Australia (Lamington NP, Springbrook NP, Mount Chinghee NP, Mount Barney NP, Main Range NP)
• Great Barrier Reef
• Riversleigh
• Wet Tropics (Daintree NP, Barron Gorge NP, Cedar Bay NP, Girringun NP, Wooroonooran NP)

Contact details

Queensland Parks and Forest:
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/

Regions

The link below provides a region map of QLD as a reference to what council zones are included in the 7 geographic regions of QLD.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_of_Queensland#/media/File:Qld-regions-map.gif

1. Far North Queensland
2. North Queesnland
3. Central Queensland
4. Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday
5. Wide Bay Burnett
6. Darling Downs South West
7. South East Queensland

Walks in Bunya Mountains

(Wide Bay Burnett)

Medium

2.3 km return

1 hr

Mount Kiangarow

This track leads to the highest point of the Bunya Mountains: Mt Kiangarow (1,135m). The track climbs 132m over 1.4km, gradually winding around the mountain and leading through an avenue of grasstrees at the crest lookout. An excellent spot to view the sunset.

Officially rated Grade 3/Medium (uneven track surface + steady, gentle incline), this is relatively gentle walk that would be suitable for most ages/fitness levels.

Easy

2 km return

40 mins

Munros Camp Walk

The track takes you from Munro's Camp down to the top of a previous logging chute (clearing in the forest to lower logs down to the valley for milling). Many benches to pause, watch and listen along the trail. Prolific bird life.

Easy

2.5 km return

45 mins

Paradise and Little Falls

A chance to get a feel for the eastern side of Bunya Mountains with a short walk down to the two falls of Paradise and Little Falls.

Hard

Pine Gorge and the ‘Shower Room’ (Lower Mcgrory Falls)

Please note that this is not a formed walking trail, is located in a reasonably remote location and that a degree of navigation skills are advised. The walk is best started from the end of the old log haulage road off of Saddle Tree Creek Road (-26.8636213, 151.6332056). From the small dirt patch at the end of the log road near Saddle Tree Creek (enough for a couple of cars to park), follow the main eroded creek bed. There is lantana and fallen trees in this lower section of creek, so a good degree of care should be taken. Using the usually dry creek bed to navigate, you will come to a fork at approximately -26.8663406, 151.6258194. Take the branch to the right, following the creek bed. The vegetation will gradually change from dry eucalyptus scrub and ‘balds’ to wet scrub as you ascend along the creek. If correctly followed, the Saddle Tree Creek bed should gradually begin to contain small permanent pools (even in drier weather). In normal conditions, at this stage the creek will begin to contain running surface water. Bunya Pines with the centuries old characteristic cut out ‘foot holds’ from Aboriginal visitors can be spotted as the only sign of human disturbance. Towards the end there are some small waterfalls that will need to be carefully scaled. The walk will end in a narrow gorge at approximately -26.8752181, 151.6039648, with a fairly impressive waterfall (except during very dry times) giving the illusion of a shower cubicle.

Medium

5.4 km return

90 mins

Russel Park Walking Tracks

A circuit which takes you to Cunjevoi falls, Little Mobullan (mountain), Chute #3 and back to the picnic area down the road. You return via the road.

Easy

4 km return

80 mins

Scenic Circuit

This walk on the eastern side of Bunya Mountains is mainly through rainforest, and passes a side track to a water fall, plus another side track to a lookout over the valley. It then passes Tim Shea falls before returning to the start

Easy

4.8 km return

75 mins

Westcliff Lookout

This track follows part of the cliff-line on the mountain's western side with Westcliff lookout providing clear views over the open plains of the Darling Downs. Soon after leaving the Paradise car park, the track passes through Little Pocket, one of the small natural clearings or 'balds' scattered over the Bunya Mountains.

Easy

4.8 km one-way

90 mins

Westcott to Cherry Plain

The second section of track along the western side of the Bunya Mountains with views over the plains.

Walks in Burrum Coast National Park

(Wide Bay Burnett)

Easy

11 km return

4 hrs

Melaleuca Circuit

A nice walk, just 45 minutes drive from Bundaberg. Walk through the trees to come out to a beautiful mangrove and continue on to an 4WD/walk in only camp-site. A short sandy section along the beach, leads you back to the start of the circuit. Official signage says 12km return, but my GPS only measured around 11km.

Easy

500 m return

10 mins

Russells Rest Track

Reward yourself with a picnic and endless ocean and estuary views at the end of this pretty walk.

After you’ve set up camp in the Burrum Point camping area, pack a picnic and meander through cypress pine and tea-trees to a small rest area on the beach. Soak up endless views of the ocean and the Burrum and Gregory river mouths.

Unwind to the sound of the wind in the trees and watch brahminy kites circle overhead. Look for shorebirds—resting here during long migratory flights. If you visiting during winter, keep your eyes glued to the horizon, you might be lucky enough to see whales breaching and playing in the offshore waters of the Great Sandy Marine Park.