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 Mt Barney National Park

(South East Queensland)

Hard

10.1 km return

5 hrs

Mt Clunie

This is one for the "peak-baggers" and those who want to test there fitness. Mt Clunie is one of the high mountains (1158m) on the Qld/NSW border and the walk involves one of the tougher ascents in South-East Qld (described as "incredibly steep" in the Bushpeople's Guide, and they aren't joking). The walk begins at the border gate on the Carneys Creek Rd (this becomes White Swamp Rd once it crosses into NSW) and follows the border fence all the way up to the summit. The first few kilometres of the walk, in a roughly Southerly direction, is through undulating terrain in open eucalypt forest, and although there are some steep sections, it isn't too difficult. However, about an hour into the walk, a steel fence is crossed, the vegetation begins to change to rainforest, and the very steep section commences. At this point is is very handy to wear tough gloves, in order to drag yourself up the fence, and wear long sleeves and pants/gators, to battle through some areas of blackberry. A few hundred metres from the summit, the track levels, and there are some picturesque rock formations on the Qld side of the fence. In some sections, it is best to climb over the fence for easier travel. The summit is marked by a cairn, but there are no views to speak of, apart from occasional glimpses of Wilson's Peak to the North-West. You will make up some time on the return trip, but in parts, it's almost necessary to slide back down!

Very Hard

6 km

4 hrs

Mt Lindesay

I've revised the description and left the original below.

From the border gate the route follows the western ridge before traversing the mountain's southern slopes. Once you reach the eastern ridge, look for the ascent point for the lower cliff-line, very close to the ridge crest. The climb starts with a steep chimney to a tree, which can be used as an anchor for this lower pitch if needed, then briefly traverses right before climbing straight up a very shallow gully to a ramp trending leftwards. Casuarina needles make this section slippery. The route is easy to follow from here but the upper cliff-line, while short, contains a slightly overhanging move and some climbers will require aid to ascend. It is far easier to abseil down the upper cliff-line, and safer to use a rope for all exposed sections. Rope doubled-over slings around trees, with separate sling retrieval line should work OK for descent, though the lead climber would need to be able to ascend without protection and the lower cliffs would be 2 pitches long. There were no views from the summit when I climbed this in early 2000s

ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
This walk starts near the border gate and eventually becomes very steep on a relatively poorly defined path. It's possible to go nearly all the way to the top without a rope.

Hard

6 km return

4 hrs

Mt Maroon

Mt Maroon provides some of the best views in South-East Queensland, with a 360 degree views ranging from Lamington NP through Mt Barney, the length of Main Range and the Moogerah Peaks.

No facilties on site, be sure to bring toilet paper etc.
Bring plenty of water and food/snacks.

Very Hard

10 km one-way

6 hrs

Mt. Barney - Short Leaning Ridge

The ridge from Barney waterfall leading to Leaning Peak. One of the hardest bushwalk in the area. A rope is mandatory to abseil of the peak. A rewarding climb.

Medium

4.5 km return

3 hrs

Paddy's Falls

Also known as Golden Staircase Falls for the so named nearby fire trail. Follows the fire trail before a rock hop up the creek to the falls then you can return the way you came or scramble out of the gully up to the fire trail and use it to go all the way back.

Medium

8 km return

3.5 hrs

Paddy's Peak

A reasonably straight forward walk up a lesser known peak nestled between Mt Barney, Mt Maroon and Mt May.

Hard

8 km

3.5 hrs

Upper Portals

Easy navigation but with a steep hill. A 4WD or at the very least a high clearance vehicle is required to make it up the road. It is rough going in 1st gear with a few extended steep/rough stretches.

Medium

3 km

1 hr

Yellowpinch Summit

From the Yellowpinch carpark walk up the hill until you reach the swinging gate that leads to the start of the National Park. At the gate immediately turn right and begin heading up the hill. follow the trail all the way to the summit where you will find great views of Mount Barney. Recommend early morning walk and watch out for cliffs at the top of the summit. Children must be supervised at the summit.

Walks in North Stradbroke Island - Minjeeribah

(South East Queensland)

Medium

5.2 km return

90 mins

Blue Lake (Kaboora Track)

Walk through banksias, grasstrees and eucalypt on your way to Kaboora/Blue Lake. Pass Tortoise Lagoon on the way to this jewel of the island.

Easy

8.4 km return

2.5 hrs

Dunwich to Brown Lake

A walk from the Dunwich to the Brown Lake that mostly follows the road.