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 Sunshine Coast

(South East Queensland)

Easy

7.2 km return

2 hrs

Currimundi Lake to Bokarina (SCCP 5)

A deviation from the official SCCP, that takes you across Currimundi Lake exit to the sea and up through the coastal health of the Conservation Park before rejoining the pathway up to Bokarina.

Medium

8.1 km return

2.5 hrs

Dularcha NP - Roses Circuit

This multi-use recreation trail passes through dry sclerophyll forest and rainforest gullies and includes some views south to the Glass House Mountains from the top of the ridge (206m). Eucalypt forests and riparian areas with flooded gums, cabbage tree palms and rainforest plants feature here and provide habitats for a diversity of wildlife. Birdwatchers will enjoy the diversity of birds along the trail early and late in the day. Definitely take a copy of the map or a GPX file on GPS as lots of crossing tracks which can be confusing

Easy

6.6 km return

2 hrs

Dularcha NP - Tunnel Track

Walk, ride or cycle this track, which takes you through the heritage listed railway curved tunnel (94m). Eucalypt forest and riparian areas with flooded gums, cabbage tree palms and rainforest plants feature here and provide habitats for a diversity of wildlife. Birdwatchers will enjoy the diversity of birds along the trail early and late in the day.

Medium

2 km return

45 mins

Dunethin Rock and Lake

A beautiful walk along dirt tracks in the bushland. Start from the Scout Camp, river or Dunethin Rock. It's an easy flat walk to Dunethin Lake and along the riverside. If you want a more challenging walk you can walk up the hill to Dunethin Rock and do a circuit back around to where you started. You can drive right up to Dunethin Rock if you don't feel like walking up the hill. There is a great view to My Coolum and Mt Ninderry from Dunethin Rock. There is a great view of Mt Ninderry from the lake and river too. Apparently you can hire canoes from the Scouts there, however, it needs to be pre-arranged. There are a lot of mosquitoes so make sure you use insect repellent.

Very Easy

1.8 km return

45 mins

Emerald Woods

A family-friendly 1.8km circular walk around one of the few remaining patches of coastal forest in Mooloolaba. This 45 min walk leads through a patch of coastal rain forest with towering paperbark trees and palms providing ample shade and valuable habitat for local wildlife.
Keep an eye out for the flying fox and bin chicken roosts on the western section of the walk and the odd water dragon sunning itself on the edge of the path.

Easy

1.6 km return

1 hr

Emu Mountain (Mt. Peregian)

An easy family walk up this hill with great views of the Sunshine Coast.

Medium

1.4 km return

45 mins

Eric Joseph Foote Sanctuary (Buderim)

The Eric Joseph Foote Sanctuary covers a huge 23 acres site on Buderim's eastern slopes. Once farmland, it has been left to nature and the dedicated volunteer committee to regenerate into a wonderful woodland and a haven for wildlife and includes a creek and cascade.

Easy

13.4 km return

4 hrs

Ewen Maddock Dam - Trail 1

This is a great family walk. The first part follows the edge of the lake, while the remainder moves out into the surrounding woodland, where you will see a mixture of Rough, Scribbly and Paperbark trees. There is plenty of bird life both on the dam and in the woodland. The path is generally shady and can be muddy after rain, with parts of it shared with bikes and horse riders.

Easy

1 km return

20 mins

Ferntree Creek National Park Short Walk

A secret hike in Ferntree Creek National Park, Nambour. The track has weeds growing all over it and is not particularly pleasant.

Easy

1 km return

15 mins

Forest Lakeside Ewen Maddock Dam

Peaceful, flat and easy walk on smooth track through forest used by the occasional mountain biker and galloping dog. After about 5 minutes you reach the lake. Beautiful view