Bymien Day Use Area to Freshwater Campground

Great Sandy National Park

A wonderful walk through rainforest, kauri and hoop pines, Piccabeen and strangler figs. The walk is pretty straightforward with gentle inclines and descents over a mostly sandy base. Stop at Poona Lake for a swim and then continue on to Freshwater Lake then Freshwater campground before returning via the same track... Or leave Bymien Day Use area and head straight to Freshwater Campground for lunch then visit Freshwater Lake on your way back to Bymien. The track is well signed the entire way.

Swimming
Bird Watching
Picnic Facilities
Toilets
Coastal
Rainforest
528m
Total Climb

Getting there

How do you get to the start of the walk? This walk is in the Great Sandy National Park. Park at the Bymien Day Use Area (toilets, picnic tables) - accessible by turning onto Freshwater Road and travelling approx 3km from Rainbow Beach Road. 2WD vehicles can travel on Freshwater Road to park at the day use area. 

Maps

Which maps cover the area? https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/great-walks-Cooloola/PDF/Cooloola-go-topo.pdf

Route/Trail notes

A detailed description of the walk! Start this walk at Bymien Day Use Area then head to Poona Lake. Walk up and down rainforested sand dunes then visit Poona Lake. Leave Poona Lake and follow the signs to Freshwater Campground (approx 10km from Bymien Day Use area). Stop for lunch or explore the area. Toilets & hot showers ($2 for 5 minutes) for use here. Commence your return to Bymien Day Use area via the same trail and then detour to Freshwater Lake (approx 2.4km return). Upon returning from Freshwater Lake, continue back to Bymien Day Use area via the same trail.  

Permits/Costs

Do you need any permits? What's the cost? Only permits to camp. Unknown cost. 

Other References

How can I find more info? Any guide books? “Take a Walk in South-East Queensland” by John & Lyn Daly.

GPS Tracks

  • No GPS available for this walk yet.

Comments

Walk was easy that has only medium to easy hills, mostly hard sand along well signed posted tracks. Was disappointed to see the freshwater lake, nothing great about it. Poona lake was ok, would be a good swim spot in summer. Did see a red belly black snake on the track trying to soak up some sun rays. It disappeared into the bush as we came across it. Pleasant walk and easy.

Jamie Mitchell on 12 Aug, 2020

This was a long walk! Great scenery and terrific to cool off at Poona Lake for a dip on the way back to Bymien Day Use area. Freshwater Lake isn’t as stunning as Poona Lake but we did still see a lot of birdlife. Freshwater Campground is really well set out with clean and tidy facilities including hot showers! The walk took us just under 6 hours but we stop a lot for pics.

S K on 31 Aug, 2019

Great walk with some lovely scenery. Freshwater Lake was disappointing however, the area hasn’t had much rain. Poona Lake is gorgeous. Pack your sticks for this walk and take note of the signage.

Anoogle on 31 Aug, 2019

Loved this walk with a variety of landscapes. Take good note of the signposts...missed a turn off and ended up at the beach! Freshwater Lake was a little low - not much rain. Poona Lake was gorgeous as usual. Pack your poles for this peaceful walk.

Anoogle on 31 Aug, 2019

Where

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