Sunshine Coast and hinterland national parks

100 200m Scale 0 Daymar Rd Peregrine lookout Mapleton Falls lookout Pencil Creek To Mapleton 3.5km M a p l e t o n F a l l s R d W o m p o o c i r c u i t To Mapleton National Park 2 2 2 2 1 The view from Mapleton Falls lookout © Ross Naumann, QPWS volunteer Mapleton Falls (left); boardwalk on the Wompoo circuit (above) Photos: © Ross Naumann, QPWS volunteer Situated in the heart of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Mapleton Falls National Park is a place of intense beauty and natural treasures. Find a prime spot on the viewing platform high above Obi Obi Valley and admire luxuriant green rainforest and piccabeen groves below. To the right you can glimpse the top of Mapleton Falls as it begins its 120m plunge. Things to do Picnicking There are picnic tables and an open grassy area—ideal for spreading out a picnic rug or two and enjoying some downtime in the fresh air. Must dos • Have a picnic with your family and friends, and some of the park’s furry and feathered local residents. • Feel the golden glow of sunset from Mapleton Falls lookout 1 . • Be enraptured by the view over the Obi Obi Gorge and scenic Mary River valley beyond. • Take a short walk on the Wompoo circuit 2 . Getting there From Brisbane, travel 105km north along the Bruce Highway to Nambour, then travel 11km west to Mapleton. Turn left onto Obi Obi Road then right into Mapleton Falls Road which leads to the park’s car park. Places to go 1 Mapleton Falls lookout 50m return (5min) Look for Australian peregrine falcons soaring near the cliff edges of Mapleton Falls to their roosting sites during August and September. 2 Wompoo circuit 1.3km return (45min) Wind through rainforest and eucalypt forest with teasing glimpses of the vast mountain ranges stretching grandly to the west. Peregrine lookout is the perfect spot to let the serenity of the Obi Obi Valley wash over you. Enter shadowy forest where peace is only punctuated by the booming ‘wallack-a-woo’ and ‘book-a-rook’ of wompoo fruit-doves calling from the treetops. Mapleton Falls National Park 20