Sunshine Coast and hinterland national parks

250 500m Scale 0 1 Kondalilla picnic area Rock pools S k e n e C r e e k 2 Kondalilla Falls lookout Obi Valley lookout 2 A tranquil rockpool on the Kondalilla Falls circuit Maxime Coquard © Qld Govt Echidna © Meri Pilloni Kondalilla—a First Nations peoples word meaning ‘rushing water’—aptly describes the park’s main waterfall plummeting 90m into the rainforest valley below. Navigate the steep curving steps carefully down to the viewpoint to see the gushing falls in all its glory. Be captivated by the verdant rainforest buzzing with sounds and flickers of wildlife all around. Things to do Wildlife spotting Possums, pademelons, wallabies, goannas, platypus, echidnas and more than 107 bird species live in the sheltered rainforests of the Blackall Ranges. Watch for goannas and water dragons wandering the tracks as often as we do! Sling your camera strap over your shoulder and capture images worthy of David Attenborough’s attention. Must dos • Discover the subtropical, boulder- strewn oasis at the base of the falls—well worth the walk down. • Explore the nearby parks and villages or check out the Great Walk for next time you visit. • For a leisurely walk a short bitumen track leads to picturesque Picnic Creek Falls. Getting there The park is about 103km north of Brisbane near Montville. Follow Montville–Mapleton Road and turn into Kondalilla Falls Road. Picnicking A 100m downhill walk with steps leads from the car park to a large grassed picnic area featuring barbecue facilities, picnic tables and toilets. The walking tracks start from this area. Places to camp No vehicle-accessible camping is available in Kondalilla National Park. Camping is only permitted at Flaxton walkers’ camp —a bush camp provided especially for walkers on the 58km Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk. For more information visit qld.gov.au/SunshineCoastGreatWalk Places to go 1 Picnic Creek circuit 1.7km return (45min–1hr) Meander through cool, dappled eucalypt forest with patches of rainforest and see an exquisite small waterfall and cascades. Linger to enjoy views over the valley from a lookout. 2 Kondalilla Falls circuit 4.7km return (2–3hr) Walk through rainforest and open forest to a cool rock pool at the top of the falls. Descend into lush rainforest as you walk down to the valley for the best waterfall view. What goes down must come back up! There are over 300 stairs on the Kondalilla Falls circuit so you need to be reasonably fit and allow enough time to enjoy this steep walk. While the waterfall cascades all year round, it is thundering and spectacular during the summer rainy season, dying to a gentle trickle in the drier winter months. Explore a magical landscape, complete with reflective rock pools, little cascades, twisting paths and tree hollow homes for local wildlife. Kondalilla National Park 21