Getting there

Forestry Road from Airlie Beach

Travel west along Shute Harbour Road for about 10 km and turn left onto Brandy Creek Road. Follow this road onto Forestry Road through to the car park. This is the start of the Conway circuit.

Forestry Road from the Bruce Highway

One kilometre north of Proserpine (or 65 km south of Bowen), turn off the highway onto Shute Harbour Road. Travel 12 km before turning right onto Brandy Creek Road. Follow this road, and then Forestry Road through to the car park.

Maps

Find the comprehensive circuit map here.

Route/Trail notes

The tropical refuge of Conway National Park combines lush rainforest with magnificent views. The Conway Circuit takes you on a 28km journey through Conway State Forest starting at Brandy Creek (approximately a ten minute drive from Airlie Beach) and finishing in Airlie Beach.

Highlights of the Conway Circuit include wandering through majestic tropical rainforest, relaxing by seasonal creeks and looking beyond coastal townships to the Whitsunday islands. Tantalise all of your senses by looking for the blue flash of a Ulysses butterfly, smell lemon myrtle flowers and listen for the distinctive call of the Wompoo Fruit-Dove. With tracks of varying distance and difficulty, everyone can explore the Conway Range.

The entire Great Walk is intended to be a three day escape but you can choose shorter walks that are linked to the main track, accessible from Brandy Creek or watch out for the annual ‘Run the Whitsunday Great Trail’ event.

For a shorter walk, start the trail from Kara Crescent in Airlie Beach. After approximately 1 hour, you will get to Honeyeater track junction. Take a right turn which will take you on a 1.5 hour return track to a lookout offering magnificent views over Cannonvale, Dryander Range, the Whitsunday Islands and beyond.
Kingfisher Circuit and Wompoo Walk are also shorter walks that are part of the Conway Circuit, both are accessed from the Forestry Road car park.

The Specifics

Conway circuit - 27.1km

Walking: 3 days and 2 nights is recommended, however can be done in under 6 hours.

Riding: 4 hrs (fit and experienced riders)

Kingfisher circuit - 2km return

Walking: 1.5 hrs  

Wompoo way - 7km return

Walking: 3.5 hrs

Riding: 45 mins

Honeyeater lookout - 8.2km return

Walking: 3 hrs

Riding: 1.5 hrs

Permits/Costs

For those looking to get amongst nature and sleep under the stars, the National Parks of the Whitsundays offer a variety of designated camping spots for you to enjoy the serenity (permits required). Discover some of the ‘off the beaten’ track hidden gems of the Whitsunday Coast, from picturesque views and spectacular waterfalls to the flora and fauna of the rainforest.

Campers must be self-sufficient:
• Take your own drinking water
• No fires permitted - use gas or fuel stoves for cooking
• Return all of your rubbish and dispose of thoughtfully
• “Take only pictures and leave only memories”

Camping fees are applicable if camping. However, not all of the trails require camping.

Fees for camping permits in national parks and other protected areas, forest reserves, State forests and recreation areas, from 1 July 2015:

• $5.95 per person per night, or $23.80 per family per night;
• $3.30 per person per night for students and accompanying adults on approved educational excursions.

Other References

Find more info on the Department of National Parks, Sports and Racing's site here.