Somerset Trail

GPS Tracks

SomersetTrail - Mt mee (GPX)

A pleasant circular walk through open and pine forest as well as pockets of rainforest. At around the halfway point, there are a series of lookouts over Somerset Dam to the north and Lake Wivenhoe to the south, with a backdrop of the far mountain ranges.

This area was heavily logged, hence the saw mill at The Gantry and evident by the 'plank' groves on some of the old tree stumps.

Lookouts

Bird Watching

Picnic Facilities

BBQ

Toilets

No Dogs Permitted

No Horses Permitted

No Cycling Permitted

No Trail Bikes Permitted

Rainforest

Eucalypt Forest

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Getting there:

From the south, travel through Samford Village and Dayboro onto Mt. Mee Road (Tourist Route 29), before turning left onto Sellin Road and into the park (signposted). Park at The Gantry day use area.

From the north, turn off the D'Aguilar Highway at D'Aguilar just north of Woodford onto Neurum Road, turning left onto Stanton Road and right into Rasmussen Road, which leads to the northern entrance of the park. From here, you follow the long twisting 4WD Lovedays Road to The Gantry day use area. Not recommended.

Alternatively, turn off the D'Aguilar Highway at D'aguilar onto Mt. Mee Road, before turning right onto Sellin Road and into the park.

Maps:

None found.

Route/Trail notes:

Walk back across the road from the Gantry and you will see the start of the trail clearly marked.

After 900m, you have the option to take the left fork and travel the trail clockwise out to the lookouts, which is 6km.

Or, take the right fork and the anti-clockwise trail for 7km to the lookouts.

The lookouts are a great place for a breather and lunch. Be careful about the drop offs as there is little fencing.

Permits/Costs:

None.

Other References/Comments:

The trail criss-crosses 4WD, bike and horse riding tracks, so be careful. Although illegal, bikes have been known to come along the walking track!

The day use area at The Gantry has toilets, picnic and BBQ facilities as well as a resident number of large guannas. You can also camp at Neurum Creek Camp and have a cooling swim at Rocky Hole.

Although an easy walk, it is a long one for the little ones and would take about 3-4 hours (up to 5 for those of lesser fitness), so take plenty of water and treats.

GPS Tracks

SomersetTrail - Mt mee (GPX)

Comments

Really enjoyed the changing scenery on this walk plus the views from the lookout are rewarding when you make it to the halfway point. There were some fallen trees that we had to climb over and some sections of the trail had some loose soil and gravel and we had to watch our footing. This is where someone on a trail bike had gone through and churned up the normally well compacted solid path.
Nikkinoo on 23 Dec, 2018

Nice east stroll with amazing views of the valley below. All up 13 kms and there are heaps of markers along the way so you cannot get lost. Amazing varied plant and tree life. At the moment there are a couple of trees that have fallen and blocked the path but nothing you cant climb over and in between branches to get across.

Some sections are hot and dry but for the most part you are un der cover and the beginning and end sections of this circuit you are in rainforests. The look out is amazing and there are a few smaller lookouts before the actual fenced one (tbh these are actually better). Take care when you are at these as these are sheer cliff faces. All in all easy rating and can easily be done with kids who are willing to walk the 13kms.
Ashwin on 22 Nov, 2018

Nice walk relatively flat however be prepared with water as it was very hot and some areas are exposed. Variety of terrain made it interesting with good lookouts half way. Very peaceful walk (although you do hear the road in some spots)- we only passed two other couples on the track. Would recommend but take plenty of water :)
The Bush Bandits on 17 Nov, 2018

This is a really nice easy walk to do. The views half way are a great place to have lunch. We took 3hrs to finish the walk.
ilomokatoto on 3 Oct, 2018

Nice easy stroll with great views, watch out for trail bike riders
Ben Knight on 24 Aug, 2018

Such a beautiful walk! It's amazing how quickly the environment changes- it's like entering different worlds. Would definitely recommend.
EJ on 28 Jun, 2018

Nice walk with a cuppa at the lookout. Pity about the trail bike rider who obviously doesn’t feel there are enough roads and firebreaks in the state forest.
GMess on 25 Jun, 2018

Excellent walk. You can choose to go left 6km or right 7km to the lookout. We chose right.
Megan and Allan on 23 Jun, 2018

Somerset Track. We walked this track today. Easy and slightly undulating. We loved hearing the calls of the Eastern Whip and Kookaburra birds, and fortunate to come across a Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoo drinking from a puddle on the track. It took us 3 and 3/4 hours including half an hour for lunch at the look out. 13 kms.
Maxine K Stringer on 12 Jun, 2018

We were here last year in August, but ran out of time to do this walk. This time we again camped at Neurum Creek and spent the full day on this trail. Very interesting how the flora changes dramatically from one area to another.
This was a long 13km walk for the two young ones and over the 4 hours it took, there was lots of encouragement needed.
But wow, they did it!
F.A.B. on 15 Apr, 2018

Highly recommend this one!!! Beautiful views of Lake Somerset at about 1/2 way. Nice easy walking, finish with a picnic at the Gantry!
Richard Williams on 14 Apr, 2018

Easy trail. Wide padded walk, lots of fire roads and 4x4 intersections.
Well marked out. Good view of Somerset.
Easy one of the kids if they can manage the distance.
Walk in the “bush”
moniqueunique on 2 Apr, 2018

Absolutely loved this walk. There was so much to see, the different vegetation and thriving bird life made it a very enjoyable walk. I will say though it is such a shame that the motorcycle riders don't abide to the signage and stay off the walking tracks. They have done some real damage and made it significantly less pleasant while they were about. Other than this, I enjoyed this walk, nice and easy with a beautiful view at the halfway point.
Nadso on 11 Mar, 2018

Lovely walk, amazing views
Tracy25 on 26 Jan, 2018

The walk was worth the views at the lookout. Easy walk, definitely not a hike. Would start the walk earlier as we completed it during the middle of the day. Quite a lot of nature around so be careful where you step. You can drive the sealed road from the south or the 4WD track from the North. We did both and it was great!!! Will do again in the cooler months.
Kristy-Lee on 18 Jan, 2018

Nice walk, not overly difficult but very hot (over 30 degrees today). Bring lots of water. Nice spot for lunch at the lookout. On a hot day taking my time it took me 4 hours with about 30 mins for lunch and regular breaks.
Julie on 7 Jan, 2018

Lovely walk, and I do mean walk. Though it is a longer "hike" it is still a nice walk. Would make for a good trail run. Gradual elevation change, easy to spot trail markers (they are numbered) and lots of critters on the trail.
The Gantry (where you park) has picnic tables, toilets, and non-potable water.
Beautiful drive there as well
Wanderingfox77 on 6 Dec, 2017