Sunshine Coast and hinterland national parks

Artists Cascades and lower pools in Conondale National Park Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt Crossing Booloumba Creek (right); Conondale Great Walk (centre); common jezebel butterfly (far right) Conondale National Park Discover subtropical rainforest tucked into the rugged Conondale mountain ranges. Magnificent forests, deep gorges and spectacular views make this 35,500ha park a wondrous place to visit and the perfect day-trip adventure for the whole family. Enjoy short and long Great Walk adventures wandering through one of the largest remnants of subtropical rainforest in south east Queensland. Dip your toes in cool rock pools and let your tension melt away to the sound of rushing cascades. Camp overnight under the stars beside rainforest and mountain streams where frogs call into the night. Sense the significance of this landscape to the Traditional Owners—the Kabi Kabi people—who have walked these high mountains and valleys for thousands of years. Imbil State Forest See beautiful rainforest giants with buttress roots in Imbil State Forest. Look for long scratch marks on tree trunks—a sign of scrambling lace monitors. Say g’day to kookaburras near the Charlie Moreland picnic and camping areas before heading out on an adventure through hoop pine plantation and native forest. Must dos Conondale National Park • Stop and soak up the serenity of the crystal-clear pebble-strewn Booloumba Creek. • Visit the unique 3.7m high rock sculpture Strangler Cairn © 2 in Booloumba Gorge. • Walk through tall open forest to discover Booloumba Falls. Admire the impressive outlook over the Breadknife rock formation, rushing cascades and waterfalls. Imbil State Forest • Drive through rainforest and native pine plantation. • Laze beside Little Yabba Creek on a camping holiday in Charlie Moreland camping area 3 . • Hike or ride (mountain bike and horseride) to Mount Allan fire tower. A hitching rail is provided near the top, as the last 300m is by walking only. Getting there Conondale National Park From the Bruce Highway the main exits to the park are the Landsborough–Maleny exit or the Eumundi–Kenilworth exit, following road signs for Kenilworth. The turn-off to Booloumba Creek day-use and camping areas is 13km past Conondale township or 7.5km past Kenilworth. All park roads are gravel and suitable for high-clearance 4WD only. Imbil State Forest Follow the Bruce Highway and take the Landsborough exit to Maleny. Continue on Maleny–Kenilworth Road and turn into Sunday Creek Road, 13.5km north of Conondale township. Charlie Moreland camping area is 5km along Sunday Creek Road. Alternatively take Eumundi-Kenilworth Road off the Bruce Highway and travel through Kenilworth to the Sunday Creek Road turn-off 7km from the township. Things to do Wildlife spotting Listen from your tent at night for the eerie squealing screams of rarely-seen yellow- bellied gliders as they leap from tree to tree feeding on sap oozing from nicks in the trunk. If you’re lucky you may spot northern brown bandicoots and red-necked pademelons, two of many animals found in this park and the surrounding ranges. Mountain biking and horseriding Horseriders can use trails in the Horse Trail Network. Visit qld.gov.au/HorseTrails for detailed information. Mountain bikes can also be ridden on the SEQ horse trail network and vehicle tracks within the national park, unless otherwise signed. Mountain bikes and horses are not permitted on walking tracks. Scenic driving Pack your lunch and set off in your 4WD for the day, cruising along forest roads to either Booloumba Falls, Peach Trees camping area in nearby Jimna State Forest, or through the park along Sunday Creek Road. Conondale National Park and Imbil State Forest 22