Somerset Trail

D'Aguilar National Park

A pleasant circular walk through open and pine forest as well as pockets of rainforest. At around the halfway point, there are a series of lookouts over Somerset Dam to the north and Lake Wivenhoe to the south, with a backdrop of the far mountain ranges.

This area was heavily logged, hence the saw mill at The Gantry and evident by the 'plank' groves on some of the old tree stumps.

Lookouts
Bird Watching
Picnic Facilities
BBQ
Toilets
No Dogs Permitted
No Horses Permitted
No Cycling Permitted
No Trail Bikes Permitted
Rainforest
Eucalypt Forest

Getting there:

From the south, travel through Samford Village and Dayboro onto Mt. Mee Road (Tourist Route 29), before turning left onto Sellin Road and into the park (signposted). Park at The Gantry day use area.

From the north, turn off the D'Aguilar Highway at D'Aguilar just north of Woodford onto Neurum Road, turning left onto Stanton Road and right into Rasmussen Road, which leads to the northern entrance of the park. From here, you follow the long twisting 4WD Lovedays Road to The Gantry day use area. Not recommended.

Alternatively, turn off the D'Aguilar Highway at D'aguilar onto Mt. Mee Road, before turning right onto Sellin Road and into the park.

Maps:

None found.

Route/Trail notes:

Walk back across the road from the Gantry and you will see the start of the trail clearly marked.

After 900m, you have the option to take the left fork and travel the trail clockwise out to the lookouts, which is 6km.

Or, take the right fork and the anti-clockwise trail for 7km to the lookouts.

The lookouts are a great place for a breather and lunch. Be careful about the drop offs as there is little fencing.

Permits/Costs:

None.

Other References/Comments:

The trail criss-crosses 4WD, bike and horse riding tracks, so be careful. Although illegal, bikes have been known to come along the walking track!

The day use area at The Gantry has toilets, picnic and BBQ facilities as well as a resident number of large guannas. You can also camp at Neurum Creek Camp and have a cooling swim at Rocky Hole.

Although an easy walk, it is a long one for the little ones and would take about 3-4 hours (up to 5 for those of lesser fitness), so take plenty of water and treats. 

Comments

Great walk but started way too late in the day. We only began walking at 11am and although it only took us 3 hours to complete, the heat was intense and caused some exhaustion. Beautiful view from the lookout and loved walking through the different ecosystems.

totally_dramatic1 on Oct, 2015

Easy walk, about 2 1/2 hours at a steady pace. Great view at the lookout

Brent Goreham on 13 Sep, 2015

Completed this walk in 2hrs and 45mins. It was a very scenic walk with contrast in flora, ranging from pine trees to native trees. Recommend camelback water supply for this walk. Also recommend doing walk before midday. Didn't see any snakes or spiders. However did spot an echidna. Somerset lookout was great and rewarding. Take some food for energy at that point.

Anthony & AMG on 11 Jul, 2015

Very enjoyable walk although it took us close to 5h to finish (at a leisurely pace stopping frequently to look at wildlife/plants). After heavy rain some of the creek crossings were a bit tricky and parts of the track were very overgrown.

rheia on 4 Apr, 2015

Beautiful walk, nice and cool as mostly shaded. Stunning veiw at the look out. Completed it in 3 hours including the lookout stop

Kate on 10 Jan, 2015

Very nice. Saw some banksia flowers.

Philos on 2015

Great walk to do first thing in the morning, get's the blood pumping...and no one else there...bliss....so fresh but being the first on the trail does mean walking into spiderwebs ;-)

J on 11 Oct, 2014

Beautiful walk and such a rewarding view half way through the walk!! Will definitely do again :0)

Handi on 12 Apr, 2014

Nice Walk, took me 4 hours.

Harjeet on 8 Feb, 2014

such diversity = so beautifull - the piccabean track adjoining is a good cool down walk if you are time trialing somerset == so so beautiful

Ted n Jo on 29 Sep, 2013

Brilliant walk - leave prior to midday!

MrJosh80 on 29 Sep, 2013

The view is very much worth it

Allan Allport on 14 Sep, 2013

Great views of Somerset dam to be seen from the top, excellent picnic area at the Gantry Day use area....

Walkinghawk on 3 Aug, 2013

Good Views

Luke80 on 30 Mar, 2013

13km / 3.5hrs - moderate track

lilspark on 30 Mar, 2013

Great walk, lots of variety and a great view.

Foss Dog on 29 Mar, 2013

Easy and pleasant work.

OnTheGo on 12 Aug, 2012

A decent walk. Can be hot in some areas depending on the vegetation changes. I was mesmerised by the 'green' creek. Nice views on a clear day.

BalticAussie on 6 Sep, 2010

We enjoyed the walk. We didn't complete it on this occasion though.

Ian and Sue on 29 Mar, 2009

A lovely but HOT walk - lots of open schlerophyl forest - many orchids and wildflowers along the track. Take lots of water!

asterope on Mar, 2008

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