Sunshine Coast and hinterland national parks

18 Upper Gheerulla Valley view on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk Photo: Adam Creed © Qld Govt Forest drive (left); explore tall rainforest (opposite page top); a scenic ride on one of SEQ’s horse trails (opposite page bottom) This park protects significant tall, wet sclerophyll forests, home to the endangered giant barred frog and red goshawk. Delight in small waterfalls and creeks, fragrant scribbly gum forest, and tall rainforest and palm groves in this glorious hinterland park. Things to do Scenic driving Take the scenic route along Mapleton Forest Road starting just north of Mapleton township, passing Cooloolabin Dam leading to Point Glorious, which has expansive views to the coast. This forest road is unsealed and suitable for high-clearance 4WDs only. Mountain biking and horseriding Ride your horse along scenic trails forming part of the SEQ horse trail network and shared trails. Mountain bikers can also access these trails as well as forest roads unless otherwise signed. Visit qld.gov.au/HorseTrails for detailed information. Must dos • Laze in your camping chair beside Gheerulla Creek 1 and listen to the wind blowing through the trees. • Bring your mountain bike and try some of the 30km of shared trail network on offer. • Dangle above the forest below, abseiling from the grass tree-lined bluffs at Point Glorious, 400m above sea level. • Satisfy your inner adrenaline junkie on the trail bike circuit. Getting there From Brisbane, travel 105km north along the Bruce Highway to Nambour, then travel 11km west to Mapleton. Roads in Mapleton National Park are unsealed— Mapleton day-use area is accessible by conventional vehicles, while most other roads require high-clearance 4WDs. Roads become very slippery in wet conditions so plan to visit in dry weather. Get active and explore this park many different ways. Ride your horse, mountain bike or trail bike, drive along forest roads, climb majestic cliffs, or camp beneath the starry night sky. Hike the Great Walk For energetic hikers, the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk, passing through Kondalilla, Mapleton Falls and Mapleton, is an exhilarating challenge with overnight camps. There are many short, part-day walks within. Visit qld.gov.au/GreatWalks Trail bike riding Explore 26km of trail bike track A over hilly terrain with tall blackbutt and scribbly gum forests. Riders must be licenced and riding road registered trail bikes. Places to camp 1 Gheerulla camping area Pitch your tent in the bushy setting beside Gheerulla Creek. Fire rings and toilets are provided for campers. If you plan to use the fire rings bring your own clean, milled firewood. Do not collect wood from the park. Access to the camping area is via Eumundi–Kenilworth Road by high- clearance 4WDs. Great Walk walkers’ camps There are three secluded walkers’ camps provided on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk—Thilba Thalba, Ubajee and Flaxton. Chris Whitelaw © Qld Govt (left); © Ross Naumann, QPWS volunteer (opposite page top); © Bluedog Photography (opposite page bottom) Mapleton National Park