Nambour and its surrounding areas in the Sunshine Coast region of Queensland, Australia, offer some beautiful hiking opportunities with lush landscapes and scenic views. The standout hiking is the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk:
The Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk is made up of 3 sections, namely the Baroon Lookout section, the Mapleton Section and the Delicia Section. You can start your great walk from the south at Baroon Pocket Dam and head north or from Gheerulla and head south. The Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk covers approximately 58 kilometers and crosses the Maleny-Mapleton plateau and the Blackall Range, where you will be able to stay in the walkers only campsites along your journey, Flaxton Walkers Camp in the Kondalilla National Park, Ubajee Walkers Camp, Thilba Thalba Walkers Camp & Gheerulla camping and trail bike area – all in the Mapleton State Forest Reserve section of the walk.
Expect to see massive Bunya Pines (Araucaria bidwillii), strangler figs, some truly wonderfal waterfalls (I’m talking about you Kondalilla Falls – which has rock pools for a refreshing swim), a large grand suspension bridge, as well as rugged landscapes supported by lots of lookouts as you journey through the different climates on the walk as you change your elevation. Be prepared with your camera at the ready as you don’t want to miss seeing the local wildlife with koalas and kangaroos in the forest reserve, along with goannas and bush turkeys.
With the longer walks being one way, you will need to have a support person or access to transport afor drop off and pickup. Shorter walk circuilts are available for most of the waterfalls, there are various walking tracks suitable for different fitness levels. Most walks are not circular, you may need to arrange ‘drop off’ and ‘pick up’. The Wompoo Circuit and the Mapleton Falls Walk are popular options for day trekkers.
Here are a few other great places to get out an explore nature in and around Nambour:
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Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve:
This reserve in Maleny offers breathtaking views of the Glass House Mountains. The Rainforest Discovery Centre has walking tracks like the Rainforest Walk and the Contour Walk, providing an immersive experience in the subtropical rainforest.
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Buderim Forest Park (Serenity Falls):
Situated on the northern escarpment of Buderim, this park has several walking tracks that lead through subtropical rainforest and eucalyptus forest. The Serenity Falls Walk is a popular trail, which leads to Serenity Falls nestled in a lush rainforest reserve on Buderim Mountain. The falls are easily accessible and has a large green bridge that spans the creek (interesting fact – this was installed by Helicopter due to its size, as it was built off site).
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This circuit offers a substantial 13.7-kilometre loop trail that caters to outdoor enthusiasts seeking a moderately challenging experience. This trail is popular with hikers, mountain biker, and runners. Being so close to Nambour makes this popular for day visits. The trails tend to get muddy after heavy rainfall thought, so keep this in mind when planning your adventure.
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Maleny Platypus Boardwalk and Bicentennial Walkway:
Located just behind the town centre in Maleny, the Boardwalk and Bicentennial Walkway offer a peaceful riverside walk. The scenic walk along Obi Obi Creek is perfect for birdwatching and enjoying the natural surroundings. It is suitable for wheelchairs and is only 850m return. There is a lot of natural wildlife in the area with flocks of birds chasing the bugs from the watercourse that runs through the park, and if you are lucky you may just see a platypus.
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The 2.7km long Gary Evans Walkway in Nambour, runs along Petrie Creek, is like a delightful and accessible pathway for a leisurely stroll. Being an out and back pathway means that walkers can explore the surroundings and then return along the same route. This type of trail is convenient for those who want to control the distance of their walk. This easy walk, has a concrete pathway or boardwalk for the entire length, making it accessible to a wide range of people, including families with strollers and individuals with mobility concerns.
Before heading out, it’s advisable to check trail conditions, weather forecasts, and any park alerts to ensure a safe and enjoyable hiking experience. Always follow any guidelines provided by local authorities and respect the natural environment.
