Gheerulla Falls from Mapleton Falls NP

5 h, 8 h to 2 days

16.8 km
return

↑ 561 m
↓ -561 m

Hard track
Starting from the car park at the end of Mapleton Falls Road, Mapleton, this walk takes you to the Gheerulla Falls via the Wompoo Circuit and Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk tracks, visiting multiple creeks, viewpoints and a campsite along the way. Before you start, view the landscape and the waterfall from the Mapleton Falls Lookout to fill your dopamine gauge. Then explore the lush, dense rainforest that’s teeming with wildlife as you make your way up north. You’ll cross Pencil Creek and Gheerulla Creek several times before you start heading west towards the Ubajee Walkers’ Camp. Speaking of, you can spend the night at this cosy campsite and savor the magical view from the viewpoint at sunrise, just 50 metres away from your tent. The relaxing sound of bellbirds, kookaburras and owls will accompany you throughout your journey. Finally, you’ll arrive at Gheerulla Falls where there is a lovely swimming hole(depending on rainfall) that’s waiting for you to jump in. Cool off and let the water ready your legs for the ascent. Keep in mind that there may be leeches present after rainfall, so prepare accordingly. 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 (-26.6310873,152.8415639)
Mode Car
DirectionsFrom Bruce Highway, M1
  • Turn on to then drive for 330 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Bli Bli Road, 23 and drive for another 1 km
  • Turn left onto Coronation Avenue and drive for another 1.3 km
  • Turn right onto Price Street and drive for another 880 m
  • Keep left and drive for another 60 m
  • Continue onto Nambour Mapleton Road, 23 and drive for another 10.4 km
  • Turn right onto Obi Obi Road and drive for another 2.9 km
  • Keep right onto Mapleton Falls Road and drive for another 850 m
  • Keep right onto Mapleton Falls Road and drive for another 20 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the car park at the end of Mapleton Falls Road, head towards the white metal gate along the concrete path. Pass through the gap in the bollard next to the gate then veer right as you follow the “Wompoo Circuit entry” signage, passing by a green directional signpost to your left. Follow the said track as it veers left and crosses Pencil Creek. Shortly after crossing the creek using the bridge(205 metres from the start), turn right to continue along Gheerulla Falls from Mapleton Falls NP Track.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
There is a toilet.
Find the Mapleton Falls Lookout at the start.
After another 10 m turn right.
After another 125 m pass the "Mapleton Falls" (75 m on your left).
After another 40 m pass the "Mapleton Falls NP" (20 m on your left).
After another 20 m head up the steps (about 15 m long)
After another 7 m head up the steps (about 6 m long)
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip taking you to Peregrine Lookout where there's a seat with a backrest. More dopamine! To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip error >360 when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
Veer right, to head along Wompoo Circuit.
Then pass a seat (on your left).
After another 350 m pass a seat (15 m on your left).
At the intersection of Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk & Wompoo Circuit turn sharp right, to head along Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
After another 470 m (at the intersection of Delicia Road & Daymar Road) turn right, to head along Delicia Road (a vehicle track).
After another 10 m (at the intersection of Delicia Road & Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk) turn sharp left, to head along Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk (a walking track).
After another 520 m turn sharp left, to head along Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
After another 30 m (at the intersection of Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk & Linda Garrett Circuit) continue straight, to head along Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
After another 275 m (at the intersection of Linda Garrett Circuit & Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk) continue straight, to head along Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
After another 930 m continue straight, to head along Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
After another 55 m continue straight, to head along Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
After another 630 m continue straight, to head along Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
After another 295 m turn left, to head along Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
After another 480 m (at the intersection of Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk & Track 3) continue straight, to head along Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
After another 1.1 km continue straight, to head along Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
After another 420 m (at the intersection of Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk & Track 3) veer right, to head along Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
After another 550 m continue straight, to head along Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
After another 160 m come to the "Ubajee Walkers Camp" (55 m on your left).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This highly recommended side trip takes you to the Ubajee viewpoint, where you can get better views over the land. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip error >360 when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 50 m continue straight, to head along Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
After another 1.4 km (at the intersection of Great Walk & Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk) veer left, to head along Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
After another 340 m (at the intersection of Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk & Gheerulla Falls Access Track) turn left, to head along Gheerulla Falls Access Track.
After another 95 m come to "Gheerulla Falls".
Turn around here and retrace the main route for 8.4 km to get back to the start.

An optional side trip taking you to Peregrine Lookout where there's a seat with a backrest. More dopamine!
Turn map Directions & comments
Start heading along Wompoo Circuit.
After 20 m pass a seat (on your right).
After another 145 m turn left.
Continue another 50 m to find Peregrine Lookout at the end.
"Peregrine Lookout".
A seat.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 210 m to the main route.

This highly recommended side trip takes you to the Ubajee viewpoint, where you can get better views over the land.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 85 m come to the end.
A viewpoint.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 85 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Gheerulla Falls from Mapleton Falls NP


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 16.8 km
Time 5 h, 8 h to 2 days
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient Very steep (4/6)
Signage Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route
Camp site: There is one 6.5 km from the start.

Toilet: There is one -4 m back from the start.

Seat: There are 3 on route, on average they are 4.3 km apart with the largest gap of 16.3 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
-4 m[toilet]
Seat
225 m + 240 m[seat]
Seat
230 m[seat]
Seat
580 m[seat]
Camp site
6.5 kmUbajee Walkers Camp
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