Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk

Stretching 58 kilometres through the lush, misty ranges of Queensland's Sunshine Coast hinterland, the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk is a multi-day trek that plunges you into ancient rainforests, past cascading waterfalls and across open eucalypt ridges. This is not a manicured stroll; it's a proper bushwalk that rewards with solitude, birdlife and sweeping views from the Blackall Range down to the coast. The trail connects Kondalilla National Park, Mapleton Falls National Park and the Conondale Range, offering a genuine taste of subtropical Australia's wild heart.

Highlights & What to See

• Kondalilla Falls – A stunning 90-metre plunge pool surrounded by lush rainforest; brave the steep track down to swim in the cool, clear water.
• Mapleton Falls Lookout – Peer over the edge into the Obilby Creek gorge, where the falls drop 120 metres into a fern-clad valley.
• Conondale Range section – The wildest part of the walk, with ridgetop views across the vast Conondale National Park and a chance to spot glossy black-cockatoos.
• Rainforest giants – Walk among towering piccabeen palms, strangler figs and ancient brush box trees, especially on the section between Baxter Creek and the Booloumba Creek camping area.
• Wildlife encounters – Keep an eye out for pademelons, red-legged pademelons, and if you're lucky, a platypus in the upper reaches of the Mary River.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most walkers complete the full trail in 3 days and 2 nights, camping at designated sites along the way (the walk is linear, so you'll need to arrange a car shuffle or a pick-up). If you're short on time, the Kondalilla Falls circuit (4.5 km, 2 hours) or the Mapleton Falls lookout walk (1 km return, 30 minutes) offer a taste of the landscape. For a serious day-hike, tackle the 15 km section from Kondalilla to Mapleton Falls, which takes 5–6 hours and showcases the best of the escarpment.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Montville – A charming hinterland village with art galleries, cosy cafés and the famous Clock Shop; a perfect spot for pre- or post-walk indulgence.
• Maleny – Known for its dairy country, the Maleny Botanic Gardens and the scenic Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, with walking trails and views over the Glass House Mountains.
• Noosa National Park – A 45-minute drive east, offering coastal walks, surf beaches and the chance to see koalas in the wild.
• Glass House Mountains National Park – Dramatic volcanic plugs with several short but steep climbs, including the popular Mount Ngungun summit walk.
• Kenilworth – A small town on the Mary River, known for its cheese factory, swimming holes and access to the Conondale Range section of the walk.

Please check official sources for current details.