Kondalilla Falls
The walk to the top of the Falls, the Picnic Creek Circuit, is 2.4km, allow 45 minutes as the steps back up are quite steep. There is a natural pool and lush vegetation. The Kondalilla Falls Circuit descends to the valley below and up the other side. Allow 1 hour, the return track is strenuous.
Getting there
Head to Montville and 2km north of the town on the Mapleton Montville Road, turn left onto Kondalilla Falls Road, where there is a car park at the end.
Baroon Lookout
Here you will enjoy spectacular views over the Obi Obi and experience the sheer vastness of this magnificent natural environment.
Getting there
At the southern end of Montville, turn onto Western Avenue. Follow this for about 3km, then turn right onto Narrows Road. The entrance to the Great Walk is at the bottom of Narrows Road on the right. The lookout is about 500m along the walking trail.
Mary Cairncross Nature Reserve
One of the best remnants of subtropical rainforest in Australia with amazing views across to the Glasshouse Mountains and an excellent education centre. The Park has some very large trees which attract a rich variety of birds. Many rare and threatened tree species flourish in this park and the endangered Coxen’s Fig Parrot and Richmond Birdwing Butterfly have been seen.
Getting there
Head west along Mountain View Road from the Landsborough -Maleny Road on the way to Maleny. The Mary Cairncross Reserve is on the right, with spectacular views of the Glasshouse Mountains to the left.
Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk!
The Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk is made up of 3 sections, namely the Baroon Lookout Section of walks, the Mapleton Section and the Delicia Section. The Great Walk can start with the Baroon Lookout Section which is a 58km walk that crosses the Maleny-Mapleton plateau and the Blackall Range. Towering Bunya Pines, rushing waterfalls and rugged, scarred landscapes are some of the natural wonders to be discovered. There are a number of walks from 2 to 7 hours. Most walks are not a circuit, you may need to arrange ‘drop off’ and ‘pick up’.
Mapleton Falls
A superb lookout next to car park with wheelchair access-picnic area and 1.3km easy circuit winding through rainforest and eucalypt forest. Spectacular views of Mapleton Falls and Obi Obi Valley are highlights. Listen for the Wompoo Fruit Dove calling from its treetop feeding sights.
Getting there
From Brisbane, travel 105km north along the Bruce Highway to Nambour, then travel 11km west to Mapleton. Take the Obi Obi Road and travel 3km further to the signposted turnoff to Mapleton Falls National Park.
Gheerulla Falls Walk
The little known Gheerulla Falls is one of the best swimming holes on the Range. Not far from Mapleton, just park your car and take a 1.5km walk into the falls. An easy walk with no rocks to climb over when taking a dip in the beautiful crisp clear water … so if you’re looking for a water hole away from the crowds in a peaceful and secluded setting, then this is the one.
Getting there
Drive about 5 km out of Mapleton along Delicia Road. Park at a dip in the road where you see a sign on the right to Gheerulla Falls.
Obi Boardwalk
Situated near Obi Obi creek, this walk is great for beginners as it is wheelchair accessible and only 850 meters return. The track shows the beginning of a subtropical rainforest recreation project and there have been reports of platypus in the creek.
Getting there
Enter from Coral Street in Maleny, opposite Bicentenary Lane.
