Summary

The Sunshine State

Queensland has a wealth of bushwalking opportunities including multiple World Heritage Listed rainforests such as the Daintree and Lamington National Park, great coastal and island parks like Fraser Island and Hinchinbrook Island.

Other Information

World Heritage Areas

• Fraser Island
• Gondwana Rainforests of Australia (Lamington NP, Springbrook NP, Mount Chinghee NP, Mount Barney NP, Main Range NP)
• Great Barrier Reef
• Riversleigh
• Wet Tropics (Daintree NP, Barron Gorge NP, Cedar Bay NP, Girringun NP, Wooroonooran NP)

Contact details

Queensland Parks and Forest:
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/

Regions

The link below provides a region map of QLD as a reference to what council zones are included in the 7 geographic regions of QLD.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_of_Queensland#/media/File:Qld-regions-map.gif

1. Far North Queensland
2. North Queesnland
3. Central Queensland
4. Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday
5. Wide Bay Burnett
6. Darling Downs South West
7. South East Queensland

Walks in Far North Queensland

Hard

9.3 km return

4 hrs

Saddle Mountain

A steep walk up to the top of Saddle Mountain where you will get great coastal views from the radar station that sits at its summit.

Hard

32 km one-way

4 days

Thorsborne Trail, Hinchinbrook Island

Simply Incredible!
The walk (32KM) takes you from Lucinda by boat, taking a magical ride around the western side of the island to the north and then meandering through the river systems to your arrival point.
The journey starts with a walk along the beach, taking in the beautiful colours of the Coral Sea, before you enter the rainforest of the Island. You will traverse an array of different conditions, gradients, difficulties and various stunning scenery. There are bays, rocky outcrops, fresh water pools and amazing waterfalls. The trip take 3-5 day to complete. This hike has everything for everyone. Take your time, breath it in and feel a part of the World Heritage Listed Island/Walk. There is a maximum of 40 people on the walk at any given time, so book ahead with NPWS to secure your time/ days for the month you wish to walk.

Walks in Barron Gorge National Park

(Far North Queensland)

Very Easy

1.2 km return

45 mins

Barron Falls Lookout

A lovely little board walk with many information signs to a spectacular waterfall (especially in the wet season).

Very Hard

3.6 km one-way

2 hrs

Barron Gorge Waterfalls

DRY SEASON ONLY

The walk starts at Barron hydro-electrical station and finishes on top of Barron Falls. It goes over all the waterfalls. Suited for Alpinist and Mountaineers with previous experience only.

Hard

7.1 km

5 hrs

Glacier Rock via Douglas Track

A walk through rainforest to an ancient glacier rock with amazing views for a good chunk of it.

Easy

9.4 km return

4 hrs

McDonalds Track

This historic track links Wright's Lookout to the Douglas Track, taking you from Kuranda down the Barron River Gorge. It provides views of the gorge from the southern side, seldom seen by the visitor unless they take the train down.

Easy

2 km

1 hr

Stony Creek Weir track

Nice little walk along a beautiful creek to swimming holes

Very Easy

3 km return

1 hr

Wrights Lookout

A beautiful lookout over the Barron Gorge national park down to the Cairns' bay.

Walks in Crater Lakes National Park

(Far North Queensland)

Easy

4.8 km return

105 mins

Lake Barrine

This picturesque freshwater lake has a walking track all the way around, together with Tea House and the opportunity of a Cruise on the waters. This is a water filled crater that was created some 10,000 years ago as a result of a volcanic eruption.

Easy

3.2 km return

75 mins

Lake Eacham

A clear, blue lake surrounded by cool rainforest, Lake Eacham offers swimming, bird watching, canoeing, picnic areas and shady walking tracks. It is a popular recreation area for locals and visitors.
In geological terms, the lake is a maar; a volcanic crater formed by massive explosions from the superheating of groundwater. The crater fills with rain water only, forming a lake 65m deep.
Over 180 bird species have been recorded from the rainforest and you may be lucky enough to see one of the few species of marsupial active during daytime—the small musky rat-kangaroo.