Barker Creek Scenic Circuit

2 h 30 min to 4 h

8.4 km
circuit

↑ 322 m
↓ -322 m

Moderate track
Starting from the car park at the end of Bunya Avenue, this walk takes you on a circuit in the Bunya Mountains National Park, crossing multiple creeks and visiting several lookouts & waterfalls along the way. You’ll have the option to visit the Barker Creek Lookout and a colossal strangler fig that you can literally go through. Expect a leisurely hike that pushes you just the right amount as you go through the dense subtropical rainforest. From lovely waterfalls to panoramic picturesque views, this quiet walk through nature disconnects you from the thrum of modern life with ease. The area is home to colourful bird species such as Pittas and a dab of the exceptional Victoria’s Riflebird. The waterfalls are best viewed after some decent rainfall, but this leads to an increased number of leeches. Remember to bring a raincoat regardless of the forecast. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start At the intersection of Scenic Circuit & Bunya Avenue (-26.878722,151.5980565)
Mode Car
DirectionsFrom New England Highway, A3, ACW
  • Turn on to Kingaroy Cooyar Road then drive for 10.8 km
  • Turn left onto Maidenwell - Bunya Mountains Road and drive for another 25.5 km
  • Turn right onto Bunya Mountains Road and drive for another 2.7 km
  • Turn right onto Bunya Avenue and drive for another 850 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the car park on Bunya Avenue(40 metres north of The Bunyas Coffee Shop & Tavern), head along the singular walking track as you pass by the said cafe to your left. Follow the track as it veers right and heads into the woodland, moving directly away from the cafe. At the 3-way intersection just before the creek, veer right and follow the Scenic Circuit track across the creek. Stay on the designated track as you keep Saddle Tree Creek to your right to continue along Barker Creek Scenic Circuit(counterclockwise).....
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Scenic Circuit & Bunya Avenue Start heading along Scenic Circuit (a walking track).
Poppies Cafe (about 140 m back from the start).
There is a toilet (about 40 m back from the start).
Find the artwork at the start.
Find the Elz Bistro at the start.
After another 40 m continue straight, to head along Scenic Circuit.
Keep right.
After another 590 m pass a seat (on your right)., has no backrest.
After another 15 m cross the bridge (about 6 m long)
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This little side trip takes you closer to the Festoon Falls for a better view. To start this optional side trip turn sharp right here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 65 m veer left, to head along Scenic Circuit.
After another 490 m veer left, to head along Scenic Circuit.
After another 30 m pass a seat (50 m on your right)., has no backrest.
Then come to the "Pine Gorge Lookout" (50 m on your right).
After another 345 m continue straight, to head along Scenic Circuit.
After another 480 m cross the bridge (about 7 m long)
After another 25 m cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
After another 10 m come to the viewpoint (on your left).
After another 420 m cross the bridge (about 20 m long)
Then pass the "Tim Shea Falls" (15 m on your left).
After another 80 m pass a seat (on your left)., has no backrest.
After another 35 m (at the intersection of Barker Creek Circuit & Scenic Circuit) continue straight, to head along Barker Creek Circuit.
After another 670 m pass a seat (on your left)., has no backrest.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This side trip takes you to the Barker Creek Lookout, visiting the Big Falls Lookout along the way. To start this optional side trip turn sharp right here. On returning from this side trip veer right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 690 m (at the intersection of Barker Creek Lookout & Barker Creek Circuit) continue straight, to head along Barker Creek Circuit.
After another 60 m cross the ford.
After another 200 m pass a seat (6 m on your left)., has no backrest.
After another 290 m cross the ford.
After another 130 m pass the "Little falls" (20 m on your right).
After another 520 m pass the "Paradise Falls" (15 m on your right).
After another 285 m (at the intersection of Paradise Falls & Barker Creek Circuit) veer left, to head along Barker Creek Circuit.
After another 2.6 km (at the intersection of Barker Creek Circuit & Bunya Bunya Track) turn left, to head along Bunya Bunya Track.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This little side trip takes you to a colossal hollow strangler fig that you can literally go through. To start this optional side trip veer left here. On returning from this side trip veer left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 150 m (at the intersection of Scenic Circuit & Bunya Bunya Track) turn right, to head along Scenic Circuit.
After another 110 m cross the bridge (about 10 m long)
After another 9 m turn right, to head along Scenic Circuit.
After another 55 m come to the end.

This side trip takes you to the Barker Creek Lookout, visiting the Big Falls Lookout along the way.
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Barker Creek Lookout & Barker Creek Circuit Start heading along Barker Creek Lookout (a walking track).
After 370 m cross the ford.
After another 335 m come to the "Big Falls Lookout".
After another 40 m come to "Barker Creek Lookout".
A seat., has no backrest.
Continue another 0 m to find Barker Creek Lookout at the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 750 m to the main route.

This little side trip takes you to a colossal hollow strangler fig that you can literally go through.
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Scenic Circuit & Bunya Bunya Track Start heading along Scenic Circuit (a walking track).
After another 115 m come to "Walk through Strangler FIg".
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 115 m to the main route.

This little side trip takes you closer to the Festoon Falls for a better view.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start heading along Scenic Circuit.
After another 60 m come to "Festoon Falls".
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 60 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Barker Creek Scenic Circuit


Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length 8.4 km
Time 2 h 30 min to 4 h
Quality of track Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)

Some facilities on route
Toilet: There is one -38 m back from the start.

Seat: There are 6 on route, on average they are 1.4 km apart with the largest gap of 4.1 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
-38 m[toilet]
Seat
640 m[seat]
Seat
1.2 km[seat]
Seat
2.6 km[seat]
Seat
3.3 km[seat]
Seat
4 km + 750 m[seat]
Seat
4.3 km[seat]
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