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 Great Sandy National Park

(Wide Bay Burnett)

Medium

20 km return

7 hrs

Carlo Sand Blow to Poona Lake

This walk is part of the Cooloola Great Walk. Starting from the Carlo Sand Blow car park at Rainbow Beach, its a short 10 min walk to the Carlo Sand Blow. From there cross the sand blow to the other side and continue along the track. It is well sign posted. At the 5km mark the track parts into 2. Follow the path to Poona lake which is another 5km. This track is a much smaller track, but is well defined. Take a swim and have lunch at the lake and then return via the same way.

Easy

3.2 km return

90 mins

Carlo Sandblow

Named after one of Captain Cook's crew (Carlo), Carlo Sandblow provides magnificent 360° views. To the north is Fraser Island and Inskip Point and to the south the length of Rainbow Beach all the way to Double Island Point. Informative signs on the Sandblow are provided.

Hard

14 km one-way

5 hrs

Central Station to Lake Mckenzie via Pile Valley

A walk from Central Station to Lake McKenzie via the rain forest at Pile Valley

Easy

1.6 km return

1 hr

Champagne Pools Boardwalk

An nice boardwalk that leads from the car park to the Champagne Pools with a a viewing platform along the way. Located at the Northern tip of Fraser Island along 75 mile beach north of Indian Head. needless to say 4wd access only !

Medium

18 km one-way

5 hrs

Cooloola Great Walk - S5 track to Freshwater Campground

Day 1 of the Cooloola Great Walk starting at the Rainbow Beach end but staying at the Freshwater campground rather than the walkers camp.

Medium

20 km one-way

5.5 hrs

Cooloola Great Walk - S6 track vis Leisha Track

Freshwater Campground to Rainbow Beach via Leisha Track

Medium

88.1 km one-way

5 days

Cooloola Great Walk (original inland route)

This is a 5 day hike starting at Noosa North Shore and ending at Rainbow Beach (or vice versa). The inland route is shorter, at 88.1km. This route includes Poona Lake on Day 5 (or Day 1 if you are walking North to South). The 4 campsites each have toilets (bring toilet paper) and water tanks. Do your homework, get the topo map, do the prep and you will have an awesome time. The Cooloola Sandpatch, Carlo Sandblow and Poona Lake are highlights, but the scenery is breathtaking at many points along the way. I have downgraded the difficulty to medium as while at times the going is hard because of the distance, overall the hiking isn't that hard and if you're doing a multi-day you've probably done some training, yes?

Medium

52 km

2 days

Cooloola Widerness Trail

An interesting longer walk that can be done in two full on days or easy three days.

Easy

1.2 km return

20 mins

Doggrell Forest

This is a short relaxing walk through the Dogrell Forrest.
Worth it if you are traveling along the Pomona Kin Kin road and need to stretch your legs.

Easy

2.1 km return

1 hr

Double Island Point Light House

Enjoyable walk to the light house and back. Great views of the coast all the way north to the southern tip of Fraser Island. This walk is possible from The eastern end of Teerwah beach or the far northern end of Noosa north shore beach.