Rainforest, Coast & Granite: 9 Fantastic Day Walks in South East Queensland

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Many of these hikes are on Aboriginal Country. I acknowledge the respective Traditional Custodians of these areas and their connection to land, sea and community. I pay my respects to their Elders past and present.

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As Google and AllTrails will attest, there are plenty of excellent half and full day walks in the South East of Queensland.

Always a sucker for “list books”, I also recently skimmed through Australia’s Best 100 Walks published by Australian Geographic, and their choices left me a bit perplexed—they were an eclectic mix of short walks, day hikes and multi-day tracks. For Queensland, they included some definite standouts (Carnarvon Gorge, Mount Cordeaux, Thorsborne Trail) but others made no sense to me (Mount Tibrogargan—seriously?! It’s definitely not one of the best walks in Queensland, let alone Australia).

Since I’ve been meaning to write this post for some time, I thought I’d add my two cents. So this is my (+ the husband’s) list of what we consider the best day walks in South East Queensland.

{Side note: There are still hikes on my ‘to-do’ list that I reckon deserve a spot here; I’ll update the list in due course.}

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WHY THESE TRAILS?

These half and full day walks all have one thing in common: They’re scenic along the way, not just at the end. We’re not big fans of hiking along 4WD tracks or through the bush with nothing to see. That’s just called exercise.

Most of these walks are also insanely popular so go early, try mid-week and definitely avoid peak holiday season if you can help it at all—I know, that’s not always possible.

ANCIENT RAINFOREST AND WATERFALLS

South East Queensland is beaches, coastline and ancient Gondwana rainforest with more waterfalls than you could ever want. Here are my three standout rainforest hikes.

Some practical advice: The rainforest walks are best saved for the cooler months (April to October). During the summer months (especially February and March), you’ll get to enjoy mud and enough leeches to last you a lifetime. That said, if it’s been a drier summer, the plateau walks are pleasant even at that time of year because it tends to be a bit cooler up there.

1. TOOLONA CREEK CIRCUIT | LAMINGTON NATIONAL PARK

For some of the best hikes in South East Queensland, you can’t go past Lamington National Park. It’s the obvious choice for outstanding waterfall hikes in the entire region.

While there are shorter waterfall walks at Lamington, the Toolona Creek Circuit (Green Mountains section) takes you past one waterfall after another. If you love waterfalls, this track definitely won’t disappoint.

There is a less exciting section at the end when you reach the Border Track but it makes for relatively quick walking back to the carpark or O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat if you’re staying there.

2. COOMERA CIRCUIT | LAMINGTON NATIONAL PARK

Lamington National Park has two sections and both offer outstanding waterfall hikes.

The highlight at Binna Burra is the Coomera Circuit—amazingly, it’s exactly the same distance as the Toolona Creek Circuit, though I’m not sure which one serves up more waterfalls. This circuit adds something spectacular: Yarrabilba Gorge and the sheer drops of Coomera Falls into the Coomera River.

Just like Toolona, you do have to trudge along the Border Track to complete the loop but it’s entirely worth it for multitudes of cascades and lush ancient rainforest you’ll hike through in return.

3. PURLING BROOK FALLS CIRCUIT | SPRINGBROOK NATIONAL PARK

If you don’t have the time or stamina for a long day walk, head up the hinterland plateau to Springbrook National Park and hike the short Purling Brook Falls Circuit.

It’s a super popular walk (and parking can be a real pain) but you’ll easily see why once you head down into the gorge and watch the falls tumbling over the cliffs. Walking this track towards the end of the wet season (late March/April) is best if you want to see the falls at their most gushing intensity.

COASTAL HEADLANDS AND OCEAN VIEWS

While you can glimpse the ocean from the Gold Coast hinterland, if you want close-up views, you’ll obviously need to head to the coast. It’s worth heading to Burleigh Heads but the walks are pretty short here so below’s another suggestion.

4. NOOSA COASTAL TRACK | NOOSA NATIONAL PARK

Possibly just as popular—or more popular?—as Springbrook, Noosa National Park offers the quintessential Queensland coastal views.

I always say that this spot is actually popular for a reason, and if the throngs of walkers, runners and strollers don’t put you off, head here for some gorgeous beaches, coves and crashing waves at Hell’s Gates (the headland).

You can hike as far as you want and then turn around, or turn the Noosa Coastal Track into a loop by taking the Tanglewood Track and heading back inland.

Parking in Noosa is a serious problem so avoid weekends and school holidays.

MOUNTAINS, ESCARPMENTS AND RIDGE VIEWS

If you’re after valley or escarpment views, try these tracks. They’ll get your heart pumping but also reward you with sprawling views.

5. SHIP STERN CIRCUIT | LAMINGTON NATIONAL PARK

Not as popular as some of the other hikes mentioned since it’s a fairly decent day hike, Ship Stern delivers Jurassic-type panoramas over Gondwana rainforest at Lamington.

You’ll also hike past waterfalls, palm groves and dry eucalypt forest so there’s something for everyone on this hike. Just be aware that it can be leech-infested and muddy so avoid the wetter months of the year.

6. MOUNT CORDEAUX | MAIN RANGE NATIONAL PARK

If you want a more vertical hike, Mount Cordeaux in Main Range National Park is a great choice. It’s popular for sunrise but you’ll get sprawling views into the valley even if you can’t crawl out of bed quite that early.

The views are not as impressive on hazy days (i.e. May to September is best) but you’ll get a great workout nonetheless. The track takes you past some stunning Piccabeen palms that are especially lovely early in the morning. The birds here are quite vocal, particularly the Eastern Whipbirds as they call, whistle and “crack their whip”.

Parking tends to be an absolute pain at The Crest day-use area and you may need to park further away at West Gap Creek day-use area (adds another 5km return to the hike via the Box Forest Track).

7. MOUNT MITCHELL | MAIN RAINGE NATIONAL PARK

For an even longer mountain hike, head across the highway from The Crest and take the Mount Mitchell Track. Equally as popular, you’ll get panoramic views from a slightly different angle with the Moogerah Dam in the distance and the Cunningham Highway snaking its way through the valley and up to the pass.

Make sure you start early on warmer days—this track is a bit more exposed as you head up towards the peak.

GRANITE COUNTRY AND CREEK TRAILS

For something completely different, you can’t go past the Southern Downs region and the Granite Belt. It’s a bit far for just a day trip, unless you really like driving about three hours each way from Brisbane. Spend a whole weekend in the region rather than just doing a day trip.

8. THE PYRAMID | GIRRAWEEN NATIONAL PARK

Girraween National Park has some fantastic, family-friendly short walks in South East Queensland, though The Pyramid track requires a bit more guts than some of the other walks here.

It’s a steep trudge up a granite slope to The Pyramid rock formation, not something you’ll want to do with very young children or when it’s wet (granite gets incredibly slippery).

Initially it doesn’t seem too steep but it gets steeper as you climb up, and if you don’t like heights or have balance issues, this hike probably isn’t for you. But the 360° views from the top are fantastic—just remember that descending a smooth granite slab is much harder than climbing up.

If you’re not up for the granite slope climb or it’s a bit wet, try the Castle Rock track (5.2km return) instead. It’s a safer option but with equally sprawling views.

9. THE JUNCTION | GIRRAWEEN NATIONAL PARK

Unlike the steep track to the Pyramid, the Junction walking track is entirely flat. It follows Bald Rock Creek along its exposed granite creekbed, which will have more or less water depending on the season and recent rainfall.

It’s an easy walk for the whole family with plenty of rock pools, and granite nooks and crannies to explore. At the end, you’ll reach the Junction where Bald Rock Creek and Ramsay Creek meet.

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READY TO DO SOME HIKING?

These nine hiking trails are our (current) standouts after nearly 15 years living and hiking in South East Queensland. It’s not a comprehensive list—it’s my editorial shortlist of what we consider to be highlights in the South East.

If you’re wondering why other popular walk options like Kondalilla Falls Circuit don’t make an appearance here—well, it is simply that they’re really pleasant walks but they don’t match the scale or outstanding scenery of circuits like Toolona Creek or Coomera.

As always, practise Leave No Trace principles. Finding rubbish—especially toilet paper—in the bush is not particularly pleasant for anyone so don’t leave it lying around, pack it out.

Happy hiking,