Koondaii Circuit

Bunya Mountains

A short circuit which takes you through shady dry rainforest then out to Koondaii Lookout with views of the western side of the Bunya Mountains over the Darling Downs. The cliff face falls away sharply providing you with a treetop canopy view into the valley below.

Officially a Grade 4/Hard track (some steep sections, stairs, and cliff-edges to be aware of), this walk would be manageable for most people with a moderate level of fitness.

Lookouts
Bird Watching
Picnic Facilities
BBQ
Toilets
No Dogs Permitted
Camping Permitted
Rainforest
Eucalypt Forest
1111m
Maximum Elevation
69m
Total Climb

Getting there:

Bunya Mountain Road is the thoroughfare to Bunya Mountains. It can be reached from Kingaroy south on the Bunya Highway for 32km and turning left (signposted). From Dalby north, you need your GPS to get to the base of the drive. This can be a very steep and twisty mountain road, so please take care.

Start at the Westcott picnic area car park, north of Dandebah on Bunya Mountains Road.

Maps:

Bunya Mountains

Route/Trail notes:

From the picnic area car park, the pathway to your right (signposted) winds down to the Koondaii Lookout with views over the Darling Down and Koondaii Valley. This leads through sections of shady dry-rainforest, thick with ferns, vines and a tall, thick canopy, before the vegetation opens out to give you views over the valley below. Take the 160m side-trail to access the lookout (which includes a bench seat if you want to stop and enjoy the view), then return to the circuit and continue until you arrive back to your start position.

This track includes one steep stone staircase, and a gradual incline on the return route to the picnic area. It is easiest walked in a clockwise direction.

Permits/Costs:

None.

Other References/Comments:

Camping options are available at various points along Bunya Mountain Road, where fees apply.

Comments

Lots of interest on this short walk, with a mix of dry rainforest + cliff-faces and long views. Kids enjoyed it. Lots of bird-life today, and a wide variety of ferns and flowering plants as well (orchids, wild raspberries etc.)

Steph T on 23 Dec, 2022

Good walk. Shaded 60%. In more open areas, tall weeds starting to grow close to and over track. Less weeds and wider tracks on tracks on Eastern side of Bunya mountains road.

WendyH on 31 Jan, 2022

Completed as part of the walk from Paradise to Cherry Plain. Nice Walk. This section particularly is quite flat. We did the return journey along the national park path rather than the road because it was such an easy walk

Bobbe on 30 Oct, 2021

Yet another view to the west of Bunya Mountains, but this time a little further north. Only wish I had had time to see what the eastern views were like from Barker, Big Falls and Pine Gorge Lookouts. Next time!

F.A.B. on 18 May, 2021

Having set up camp at Westcott Camping Ground, we did this little circuit twice during our time camping. On both occasions, we walked the circuit clockwise. There is abundant birdlife & really beautiful views out to the west of the mountains. It’s an easy walk with some small sections of stepping up rocks but a well defined path.

S K on 27 Jun, 2020

A nice little circuit...especially when the clouds are moving through. Was excited to see Regent BowerbirdS and Riflebirds.

Anoogle on 27 Jun, 2020

Can be included with Westcott to Cherry Plain return walk.

Wanderlust on 5 Jun, 2020

Nice short 2.5km walk with nice views not only from the lookout. Very dry at the moment. It was nice and cool in the shade of the trees on most of the path. A couple of trees and rocks on the path, but walk arounds already made.

CassyN on 22 Feb, 2019

Nice walk with beautiful views

Mackamcb on 27 Dec, 2018

Did this as part of Burtons Well to Dandabah hike today. Fairly nice easy long walk.

J on 24 Jun, 2017

A fun walk with lots of turns and easy uphill climbs. Lot's of opportunities for views over the downs.

Steve F on 12 Nov, 2016

This is the first time that we have completed this walk by taking the return track back. It's not a bad walk which passes near the base of a higher cliff line with lots of granite boulders in one section.

Ian and Sue on 21 Oct, 2015

Great place - and the wildlife is just unreal.

HippyDonna on 25 Apr, 2012

Where

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