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 Brisbane Valley Rail Trail

(South East Queensland)

Medium

24.5 km one-way

6 hrs

Coominya to Esk - Part of BVRT

This walk is part of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, starts and finishes at the railway station. Coominya and Esk are small towns but have all services. Several large and impressive rail bridges along the track but not accessible, a lower river crossing. The walk passes through farm lands but mainly bush walking so plenty of gates to open and shut but not a walk to complete in Summer months. The trail is well marked so maps are not required. Coominya is accessible after a turnoff on the Brisbane Valley Highway. Public amenities and car parking at both ends of the walk but no public amenities on the track. No permits or costs for the walk.

Easy

10 km one-way

2 hrs

Diamantina Boulevard to Borallon Station Road - Part of BVRT

10kms easy walking along the old Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. Passing old stations (or where they used to be, signs have been erected) of Muirlea, Pine Mountain and Borallon. Great for birdwatching. I would recommend for a winter walk - dappled shade, but would get very hot very quickly in summer.

Easy

11 km one-way

3 hrs

Esk to Ottaba - Part of BVRT

Approximately 11kms along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. Very exposed, but pleasant walking.

Medium

19 km one-way

5 hrs

Esk to Toogoolawah - Part of BVRT

The 19 kilometre Esk to Toogoolawah section of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is northwest of Brisbane along the Warrego and Brisbane Valley Highways. This section of the trail travels adjacent to Camp Creek and crosses Cressbrook Creek, a tributary of the Brisbane River, at Toogoolawah. The trail extends through farmland including lucerne, other pasture and small crops that are important to the local economy.
On trail signage indicates classifications between Esk and Toogoolawah. The distance and lack of trail facilities make this section suitable for people with a moderate to high fitness level. There are no drinking water or toilet facilities between Esk and Toogoolawah. Sufficient water must be carried.

Easy

8 km one-way

2 hrs

Fernvale to Lowood - Part of BVRT

For the most part this section of the walk follows beside the Brisbane Valley Highway ie it gets noisy and there really isn't much in the way of shade at all. However, the views are nice looking out towards to the mountains and onto Lowood. Heading in to Lowood you'll meet up with a bend in the Brisbane river with some lovely views downstream, and a large colony of bats making home in the trees. Arriving into Lowood, you'll be rewarded with the first section of actual railway for the trail; Lowood was the original terminus for the BVRT. Lowood has a pub, bakery and nice cafes for refreshments.

Medium

20 km one-way

5 hrs

Wulkaraka to Fernvale - Part of BVRT

I rode this but you are certainly allowed to walk it. A fun and enjoyable ride from Wulkaraka station to Fernvale. Look forward to a delicious thick shake and a pie at the renowned Fernvale bakery! The track is mostly flat and easy to follow. A couple of road crossings.

Very Easy

3.8 km one-way

90 mins

Wulkuraka Station to Diamantina Boulevard - Part of BVRT

This first part of the BVRT (Brisbane Valley Rail Trail) is only 3.8kms of very easy walking along paved pathways between residential and bushland. As the name suggests this is along the old Brisbane Valley Railway, the whole trail is approximately 161kms finishing in Yarraman.

Walks in Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area

(South East Queensland)

Easy

5 km return

1 hr

Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area

There is no direct track, just a heap of different paths, where you can wonder through the conservation area spotting all sorts of wildlife. Especially kangaroos, that are slowly becoming more used to humans, so you can get some really nice photos of some semi wild kangaroos. Otherwise there are koalas and bird life also to enjoy.

Very Easy

1 km return

15 mins

Mangrove Boardwalk

A short walk through the mangroves. At the end there is a bird tower that overviews the Coombabah lake.

Easy

3.6 km return

1 hr

Wetland Trail

Well signed trail through the wetland. Concrete surface/ gravel surface. Occasional seating areas. Partly wheel chair friendly.