Bushwalk Australia

Hello Reds Fans,

Wife & I up in Gold Coast for a conference week 23rd May. Keen to do a overnighter & see what Queensland bush is all about.

Experienced Bushwalking NSW etc. no knowledge of QLD. Sorry.

We finish mid afternoon Friday on the Gold coast and hire car. So keen to head off and either camp at trailhead or BnB close by, with Saturday overnight in the bush. facilities at camp nice not essential.

With the Mrs so thinking 10-15k/day depending of degree of difficulty. Loop route best.

Head back to Brisbane and flight out on Monday morning. So as to maximise the weekend experience. etc.

Welcome suggestions.

Cheers
Clive

Hi Clive,

Search the forum and you will see plenty of people asking the same question. Your best bet would be Lamington National Park - beautiful rainforest, waterfalls, creeks etc. Some walk suggestions (distances approximate from memory):

1. Camp at Binna Burra (trail head, ~1 h from gold coast). Some lovely day walks, Dave's Creek Circuit is 12 km and worth doing as a shorter introduction, or step out and try Ship Stern (19 km circuit) or Coomera Falls (17 km circuit) to see the best.
2. Camp at O'Reilly's (trail head, ~1.5 h from gold coast). Great short walks are Moran's Falls/Python Rock Lookout (8 km combined, very easy) or Box Forest Circuit (12 km). Even better longer day walks are Toolona Creek circuit (16 km) or Albert River Circuit (19 km)
3. Drive to O'Reilly's, camp overnight at Mt Bithongabel (midway along the Toolona Creek Circuit - you can walk it either way, but via the waterfalls will be the longer section). This is high up on the escarpment and can be quite wet but May is usually beginning to get fairly dry so you might be able to avoid the leeches. This would fit in with your 10-15 km a day with an overnight pack.

All these walks are well-signed and on well-formed tracks. You can pick up park maps at Binna Burra or at O'Reilly's - both places have fancy hotel-style accommodation as well as basic camping. If weather is looking a bit dodgy it might be nicer to camp at the trailhead and do day walks. Don't let a bit of drizzle deter you - the rainforest is at its best when it's misty!

Cheers,
Munch