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 North Queensland

Medium

440 m return

20 mins

Balancing Rock

From the Balancing Rock car park a rough track climbs up a rock formation, providing views of Balancing Rock—a spectacular limestone outcrop. Take a moment to enjoy the view and photograph the surrounding open woodlands. The Wullumba art site is located to the right of the car park.

Medium

600 m return

30 mins

Bauhinia Cave

This is a fun walk for something different. You'll wind your way down through cave passages and will have to duck or crawl to get through certain sections.

It's not very long distance or time-wise but I found I was more hesitant when it came to keeping a good pace in the dark.

Medium

2.5 km return

1 hr

Castle Hill

Castle Hill is both a heritage-listed isolated pink granite monolith standing in the heart of the north Queensland city of Townsville and a suburb of Townsville. It rises to a height of 286 metres and dominates the city skyline and provides magnificent 360° views.

Easy

900 m return

30 mins

City Lookout

This short walk to the City Lookout gives you an elevated 360° view over Mt Isa and the surrounding area.

Medium

3.2 km return

2 hrs

Djyinda Walk

Walk to the base of Wallaman Falls, the highest permanent single drop waterfall in Australia at 268 meters. It’s not so much the distance that makes this trail a challenge, but rather the 228 metre descent (and more importantly, ascent back to the top!). But it’s worth every step. The track wanders through open forest, along the escarpment overlooking the Herbert River Valley, into the gorge and through thick rainforest. Take care and go slow - not just because the trail warrants it, but because there are few times in your life when you’ll get to experience untouched nature like this all to yourself.

Medium

45 mins

Donna Cave, Chillagoe

Donna Cave is one of the 3 caves in Chillagoe managed by the NPWS. Access is only by guided tour with a NPWS Ranger who provides a commentary on the formation and history of the cave.
The cave is well lit and has steel walkways and stairs (approx. 300) throughout.
The stalactites and stalagmites are awesome and the whole experience is well worth the effort.

Medium

5 km return

2 hrs

Edgecumbe Heights Recreational Reserve

Edgecumbe Heights Recreational Reserve, Bowen, Queensland

Easy

1.2 km return

30 mins

Eubenangee Swamp

Well maintained track following the river then opens into farmland where you will climb a hill to the wetland lookout. High grass on both sides of the farmland track.

Good for viewing wetland birds and crocs if you're lucky (or unlucky).

Easy

6 km return

2 hrs

Flinders River Walk

An enjoyable walk along the banks of Station Creek and Flinders River (Queensland's longest river), with various historic attractions along the way. This is dinosaur country, so keep your eyes peeled!

Medium

500 m return

30 mins

Horseshoe Bay - Rotary Lookout

A short 10min pathed walk through some light vegetation, past some really beautiful rocks and up to a viewing platform over Horseshoe Bay