Summary

Boarding NSW and the pacific Ocean, it is not uncommon for hikes to have views of both worlds (ocean and hinterland). Hikes here are typically on the great dividing range.

History

Any interesting history for the region?

Features

What are the standout bushwalking features?

Access

How do you get there? Include all access points if there are many?

Maps

Which maps cover the region?

Accommodation

Where can I stay there? or near there?

Camping

Council Areas:

1. Scenic Rim Regional
2. Gold Coast City
3. Logan City
4. Redland City
5. Ipswich City
6. Lockyer Valley Regional
7. Brisbane City
8. Somerset Regional
9. Moreton Bay Regional
10. Sunshine Coast Regional
11. Noosa Shire

Contact details

See Qld National parks website

Walks in Karawatha Forest

Easy

7.35 km return

2 hrs

Brushtail, Maculata, Dianella, Wallaby, Rocks

Trails added together to increase walk time at Karawatha

Easy

6.5 km return

84 mins

Brushtail, Wallum, Banksia, Wallaby, Rocks

These are trails in Karawatha Forest added together for a longer walk

Easy

4.5 km return

90 mins

Casuarina, Maculata, Hakea and Wild May trails loop

Combine Casuarina, Maculata, Hakea and Wild May trails to create a circuit from the Illaweena Street picnic area. These wide multi use trails take you through areas of Spotted gum, Scribbly gum, casuarina and paperbark-lined lagoons.

Medium

8.03 km return

2.09 hrs

Casuarina, Lomatia, Curtisli, Mahogany, Casuarina Trails

Curtisli is a hard trail in some places as indicated on the maps, but worth it to reach Yagara Rocks Lookout.
Illaweena Street trailhead.

Easy

1 km return

20 mins

Melaleuca Circuit

Small freshwater lagoons and eucalypt forest with large scribbly gums along the lagoon edge. This is a great walk for birdwatching. Easily accessed from Illaweena Street picnic area.

Easy

4 km

1 hr

Poets Rock

From Stretton Reserve, cross the bridge and head up Casuarina Track. Take the right onto Macaluta track. About a kilometre or so in, right before you hit the join with Hakea track, you'll see a steep track heading to the left. Scramble up there and you've reached the peak of Poets Rock. A good place to think and write poetry.

Easy

3.4 km return

45 mins

Rocks Circuit

A good circuit walk. Great view over the bushland. Includes stairs.

Medium

8.62 km return

2.27 hrs

Rocks, Dianella, Lomatia, Bracken, Entolasia, Rocks Trails

Trails added together to make walk longer.
Acacia Rd Trailhead

Easy

8 km

2 hrs

The Rocks Circuit (from Illaweena Street)

Starting from Stretton Reserve on Illaweena St, head to the far end of the picnic area and across the bridge over the lagoon. Start following the power lines and head slightly up hill. About 700 metres in, follow the sign to the right Dianella Trail. There's an interesting and rather random car wreck in here. Keep following it at any sign posts by heading to the Wallaby track.

When you reach the Wallaby track, head right for 170 metres then left for 120 metres onto the Rocks circuit. Head right (ignore the path in front of you) and keep following it around. Stick to the Rocks Circuit. You'll eventually come to an unsigned junction. Don't go uphill to the left (that will take you back to the Wallaby track) but head right down the gully and then up some stairs. This will eventually take you to an excellent little picnic area at the highest point in the park, with a nice view of the local area.

From the picnic area, head west on the Entolasia track towards the reservoirs and mobile phone towers. After the mobile tower (but before the huge/second water reservoir) head left where the sign says Wallaby track, but don't head onto the Wallaby track. There'll be a green arrow painted on a tree. Follow that arrow and head down the Casuarina track. If you ever wander off track, just follow the main track under the power lines until you get back to the bridge and lagoon.

Easy

2.5 km return

30 mins

Wild May Lagoon Trail

A short walk in Karawatha Forest which follows a fire trail and passes some lagoons.
Picnic tables at taps at start of trail