South East Queensland

Summary

Boarding NSW and the pacific Ocean, it is not uncommon for hikes to have views of both worlds (ocean and hinterland). Hikes here are typically on the great dividing range.

Popular Walks

History

Any interesting history for the region?

Features

What are the standout bushwalking features?

Access

How do you get there? Include all access points if there are many?

Maps

Which maps cover the region?

Accommodation

Where can I stay there? or near there?

Camping

Council Areas:

  1. Scenic Rim Regional
  2. Gold Coast City
  3. Logan City
  4. Redland City
  5. Ipswich City
  6. Lockyer Valley Regional
  7. Brisbane City
  8. Somerset Regional
  9. Moreton Bay Regional
  10. Sunshine Coast Regional
  11. Noosa Shire

Contact details

See Qld National parks website

Walks in Sunshine Coast

Very Easy
2 km return
1 hr

Maroochy Wetland Conservation Park

The Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary boardwalk passes through eucalypt, rain and mangrove forest down to the river. Native fauna including River Mangrove, Orange Mangrove, Swamp Oak, Milky Mangrove, Grey Mangrove, Native Wisteria, Flooded Gum, Bungwall Fern, Paperbarked Tea-Tree and Mangrove Fern. There is abundant bird life, as well as crabs, butterflies, reptiles, fish and other wildlife species that frequent the wetlands.

Easy
3 km return
1 hr

Martin Williams Walk

Lovely walk at Lake Baroon, near Maleny Qld
Two loops. Total approximately 3 km's

Very Easy
2 km return
1 hr

Mary Cairncross Reserve

This walk never fails to please. At a very leisurely stroll you can stop and enjoy the rainforest and spot the pademelons hidden in the bush. Best time to do the walk is early in the morning to get the pademelons and birds and to avoid the tourist buses.
Views across the road overlooking the Glass House Mountains on a clear day are spectacular.

Easy
1.3 km return
40 mins

Melaleuca Trail, Jowarra Section

This is part of the Jowarra Section of the Mooloolah River a separate section of this park to be accessed via the Steve Irwin Way off the Bruce Hwy ( caloundra off ramp ) turn right at traffic lights into the Information Centre Car park ( there's also Daisy's Restaurant ) in the middle of the car park you will find the entrance of park leading to both walks.

Easy
1 km return
30 mins

Merdian Hill, Mooloolah River National Park

This walk up Merdian Hill is moderately steep but very short so whoever graded it easy is correct. The view from the top is nice but not spectacular, glimpses of Ewen Maddock through the trees. It's hardly worth making a special trip just for this walk, but combined with a few other walks in the area makes a nice day out. For starters, in the same location but on the other side of Old Caloundra Rd there are several short walks through wet woodland type vegetation, eg lots of candlestick banksia. Take the walking trails further down Old Caloundra Rd to get away from the traffic noise on Steve Irwin Way. Add a walk around Jowarra Section of Mooloolah River NP and/or Dularcha NP, both an easy drive from Meridan Hill. That makes a really nice day out.

Easy
6.5 km return
105 mins

Moffat Beach to Currimundi SCCP 4

Time to get your feet wet on this one, as you cross Swamp Creek and head up the sand to Dicky Beach and on along the coastal wetlands boardwalks to beautiful Currimundi Lake.

Easy
500 m return
20 mins

Mooloolah River Circuit

This is part of the Jowarra Section of the Mooloolaha River a separate section of this park to be accessed via the Steve Irwin Way off the Bruce Hwy ( caloundra off ramp ) turn right at traffic lights into the Information Centre Car park ( there's also Daisy's Restaurant ) in the middle of the car park you will find the entrance of park leading to both walks.

Medium
2.6 km return
90 mins

Mount Coolum

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, bird life and geology feature here.

Hard
1.6 km return
90 mins

Mount Coolum Powerline Track

An alternative, more challenging route to the summit, located on the north-western ridge, accessible from the northern end of South Coolum Road.

Hard
3 km return
2 hrs

Mount Cooroy

Mount Cooroy is 438m high and provides great views around the Sunshine Coast. Access to the mountain is through private property and public access is only available once a year at the Cooroy Mountain Spring Festival. The festival was held in August.

Please respect the private property and do not access without permission.

Two great lookouts at the top.