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 Crows Nest National Park

(Darling Downs South West)

Medium

4.5 km return

2 hrs

Crows Nest Falls Circuit

Crows Nest Falls via Kauyoo Loop (including The Cascades, Kauyoo Pool and Bottlebrush Pool).

Explore the creek on your way to Crows Nest Falls. Steep crevices and slippery rocks lead to the Cascades, where you can hear the ‘tock tock’ calls of striped marsh frogs echoing around the boulders in summer. A short scramble over low boulders brings you to Kauyoo Pool, where a sandy beach allows easy access to the normally shallow water - a perfect swimming spot for families with small children. Further along the trail, a long staircase leads you down to Bottlebrush Pool, which is an ideal place to enjoy a swim and relax. Keep an eye out for brush-tailed rock wallabies as they move quietly around the surrounding granite hills and boulders.

Caution: Take care on the steps leading down to the creek and when rock-hopping across the creek, as these surfaces can be slippery when wet.

Note: BYO drinking water. Water from the picnic/camping areas must be boiled before use.

Hard

12 km return

7 hrs

Crows Nest NP to Perserverance Dam

First 1/4 easy then 1/2 moderate then 1/4 hard. Try to get started early to avoid the heat. We took 7 hours to complete which had us doing the hardest part in the heat of the day.
At this date the creek portions were heavily overgrown and the rock hopping was hard since the floods of previous hears have washed out sand and small rocks leaving the entire Valley of Diamonds a hard slog criss-crossing the creek to find a navigable route. The bush has been badly degraded in recent years by drought and fires.

Hard

13 km return

5 hrs

Valley of Diamonds

Starting from the same location as the normal day walks, it goes all the way to Perseverance Dam and then boulder-hopping all of the way up the gorge before a quick scramble up to Koonin Lookout

Walks in Currawinya National Park

(Darling Downs South West)

Easy

360 m return

10 mins

Budjiti Lookout

Budjiti Lookout
Grade 4
Distance: 360m return
Time: Allow 10 minutes
Take a short 180m walk up a rocky slope to the Budjiti Lookout and watch the sunset over an endless horizon. Located 44km north-west of the park office on the Boorara Road.
Remember to take water with you and walk carefully as the uneven track and rocks may be slippery.

Easy

1.5 km return

40 mins

The Granites

The Granites
Grade 4
Distance: 1.5km return
Time: Allow 40 minutes
Visit The Granites, 10km north-west of Ten Mile Bore (pt 15km from ranger base) on the Boorara Road. Walk the 1.5km to a small outcrop of granite rocks, a unique feature of the park. Please respect the cultural significance of the area by not climbing on the granite rocks.

Walks in Girraween National Park

(Darling Downs South West)

Medium

5 km return

3 hrs

Aztec Temple

An off track walk from the end of the Underground Creek Trail containing a field of fascinating large stone pillars of various sizes, some of which (Main Pillar) can only be scales with ropes and shackles.

Easy

4 km return

1 hr

Bald Rock Creek Circuit

This circuit is ideal for a sample of Girraween’s finest features, with ample opportunity to see some of Giraween’s feathered, furred or scaly residents.
Cross Bald Rock Creek and follow it downstream along The Junction Track until it meets the track from the camping area. Use the stepping stones to cross the creek again and return to the day-use area via the camping area.

Hard

4.4 km return

90 mins

Castle Rock

Panoramic views from Castle Rock are breathtaking including The Pyramids and Mt Norman.

Officially rated Grade 4/Hard, this walk requires a moderate fitness level, some scrambling skills and confidence with heights.

Easy

1.4 km return

30 mins

Dr Roberts Waterhole

Take the gently sloping track to gaze at reflections in the still waters of Bald Rock Creek. Ground orchids, banksias, conesticks, geebungs and crinkle bushes are prominent in spring, as are the many colourful bird species living among them.

Medium

40 km return

3 days

Eastern Peaks Circuit Girraween

A multi day hike (3 days comfortably but could be done in 2) that visits all major east peaks in Girraween. Wonderful scenery, wildflowers and wildlife.