Mount Coolum

GPS Tracks

Mt Coolum (KML)

Enjoy a steep trek to the summit of one of the Sunshine Coast’s ancient volcanic domes. Created about 26 million years ago, Mount Coolum is a laccolith, formed when a dome-shaped bulge of magma cooled below the Earth’s surface.

Spectacular coastal views, rare and threatened plants, wildflowers, birdlife and geology feature here.

Lookouts

No Dogs Permitted

Rainforest

Eucalypt Forest

197m

Maximum Elevation

181m

Total Climb

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Getting there:

Turn off the David Low Way 6 km south of Coolum Beach township or 3 km north of Marcoola township into Tanah Street (West). The car park entrance is near the junction of Tanah Street (West) and Jarnahill Drive. Roads to the car park are suitable for all vehicles.

Maps:

http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/mount-coolum/about.html#things_to_do

Route/Trail notes:

Follow the signs and stick to the track. Due to erosion from so many walkers, about half of this track has now been paved and stepped.

Permits/Costs:

None

Comments

Easy Hike..steps most of the way to the top..and will be very slippery when wet..many mini trails to explore the top of the mountain and heaps of fantastic photo opportunities..watch out for the Falcons they are beautiful..keep in mind only open to the public on weekends till November due to work being done.Lovely hike to take kids on to get them into it
Ashwin on 6 Oct, 2018

Wonderful but wear a hat
Mattshan on 23 Sep, 2018

Great views
drewmac on 9 Sep, 2018

The view and landscape of this mountain was so beautiful! It was better than I was expecting. Very busy though- I suggest visiting during the week if possible to avoid big crowds.
AmyKT on 12 Aug, 2018

Awesome views. Very busy
Hillbilly Aussie on 12 Aug, 2018

Beautiful views feels longer than it is only because of how quickly the trail elevates Easy walk stairs the whole way.
Georgia Keogh on 4 Aug, 2018

Beautiful
Grace Lee on 2 Aug, 2018

There are a lot of people on the track, so a traffic up and down was quite busy. The walk is not too easy for small kids, but it is still possible to do it (I was on Mt Coolum with 3 & 6 yo kids)
Alex on Aug, 2018

Beautiful views
DesmOgirl on 1 Jul, 2018

Even though the sign said a 2hr return, it only takes about 20-30mins to reach the top, depending on your fitness. The views are beautiful. The track itself is made in such a way that it blends in well with the environment. Would definitely recommend for anyone who has a spare hour or two around Coolum.
EJ on 30 Jun, 2018

Loved climbing Mt Coolum, I am not fit but managed to get all the way to the top. Beautiful views from up there. Lots of people coming and going, so be mindful of the steep climb and traffic. Well worth the climb!
Marisa on 21 Jun, 2018

Well marked, very popular track. Plenty of formed steps made by surrounding rocks. Great panoramic views. Recommend it to everyone, not hard, take your time.
Maxine K Stringer on 14 Jun, 2018

First time doing this on a weekend, car park was packed and a steady stream of people heading up. Pretty easy walk, can ascend in around 15 minutes if you walk at a steady rate. Good view for the level of effort required to walk it, can watch all the planes on approach to Runway 18.
Vonsnrub on 28 Apr, 2018

Loved this walk. The view was spectacular. Loved how we could watch the planes take off from Sunny Coast airport.
It is a little rocky closer to the Summit so be careful with younger kids. Does get busy !
Smitho on 12 Apr, 2018

Simple walk. My 3 and 5yo both did it easily. If you stand vertical and walk up a couple of flights of stairs then you could climb this. View from the top nice, wouldn’t say spectacular. Good way to wear your kids out.
iano on 11 Apr, 2018

A popular walk, not too challenging to hike up. It is currently Easter holidays so understandably popular, but still easy to escape the crowds at the top to get a good view point and your all essential ‘I made it’ photos! Incredible views in all directions (though more challenging to get to the western views) make the sweat well worth it. Wish more people would say thanks for you giving way to them...a little courteous behaviour goes a long way.
SparkySparkler on 9 Apr, 2018

EASY
3/5

A hike that I would do once if I was in the area, but probably not again. Mostly walking up stairs. Not fun for the knees. Minus 1 point for the stairs (I do not enjoy stairs).

Basically the same view of the ocean and beach the whole way up. Even at the summit, your view is restricted to the coastline. Due to the abundance of foliage at the summit, the inland view is mostly blocked. Coastline view is also ruined a little in my opinion by the housing scattered up and down the coast. Minus 1 point for lack of variety of scenery in terms of both the track and the surrounding landscape.

Doable for most ages including kids. Good activity for young families I guess? Might be interesting to go again for sunrise or sunset.
Sam on Apr, 2018

Beautifully curated walk with handbuilt stairs most of the way. Popular busy track, exposed at top so bring sunscreen. Fairly steep gradient, good for training.
Museum of Jus on 4 Mar, 2018

Easy walk to the top - stairs the whole way. Took the whole family and they loved the views. Quiet on a cloudy weekday.
Juiced Pixels on 1 Mar, 2018

This is a fairly short walk about half an hour to 45 mins up, depending on fitness, however it does get the heart racing, especially if your cardio fitness is not up to scratch, so can be a bit of a challenge. Nice view at the top of Coolum beach, but nothing too spectacular.
Angie Nicole on 26 Jan, 2018