The Sunshine Coast Hinterland’s is located just over 1 hour from Brisbane. You can walk through lush rainforest and swim in waterfalls, drive past rolling hills with views down to the ocean, shop in cute little towns for locally made products, and enjoy delicious food and drink. The heart of the area is the Blackall Range including the towns of Maleny, Montville, and Mapleton. It also includes the Glass House Mountains further south and towns like Eumundi and Yandina, which are closer to the coast. It is best to explore this area with your own vehicle. It’s the perfect place for a day trip from Brisbane or for a weekend getaway.

Kondalilla Fall’s
Kondalilla Fall’s circuit is the main trail to hike when you head to this waterfall. It’ll take you from the top of the falls, winding down through the rainforest to the base of the waterfall. It’s a 4.8km return walk that takes roughly 1.5 – 2 hours to complete. When you arrive to the carpark follow the signs to the circuit. You will first pass Picnic Creek Falls, then Obi Obi Valley lookout.











You will then wind your way down to the beautiful rock pools on the left and a spectacular view to the right. Once you have soaked in the beautiful views and maybe had a dip in the refreshing pools. Continue down hill to the base of the falls through the beautiful rainforest. Once at the bottom you will cross over a bridge and head right to the base. Then make your way back up the stairs past Kondalilla falls lookout where you will get beautiful views of the valley and the 80m drop of the waterfall. There is signs along the way so it’s fairly easy to follow. The path can get muddy after it has rained so make sure to wear good shoes.
Lake Baron
Baroon Pocket Dam is a picturesque lake hidden away between Montville and Maleny. It was built in 1989 across Obi Obi Creek. It is an un-gated dam, meaning that when it reaches 100 per cent capacity, water flows over the spillway and safely out of the dam. You are allowed to Kayak and swim in the dam.


Narrow’s Lookout
Park at the ‘Great! Walk’ carpark, just before the Baroon Pocket Dam, off Narrows Road. The trail consists of narrow dirt tracks as well as timber boardwalks, bridges and the bush varies between palms and rainforest. We did only walk to Narrow’s lookout you can continue another 2.2km return walk to Barron’s lookout to. But for the Narrows lookout the circuit was 2.3km return circuit.




Gardener’s Fall’s
Located just out of Maleny township is Gardner’s Falls. The trail is a concrete path which leads you the waterfall. It is a 1.4km return walk.



Cairncross scenic reserve
The Reserve had 55 hectares of subtropical rainforest overlooking the Glass House Mountains. There is a 1.7km circuit through the rainforest. It is open from 7am to 6pm and a Gold Coin donation is appreciated.




Mapleton
Mapleton Fall’s
Once you park your car at Mapleton Fall’s Carpark you will first see the lookout. Which is Mapleton Fall’s Lookout, From here head town and across the top of the fall’s you will find Woompoo Circuit. The circuit through the rainforest is a 1.6km and will take about 40 minutes. You can not get down to the base of the falls, But you can see Mapleton falls from the lookout.









Baxter Fall’s
Parking for the Fall’s is just off the main road. You will then walk down sues pocket road to the beginning of the trail. The walk up and back is 4.8km return. There is a beautiful suspension bridge just before the waterfall. This was actually one of our favourite hikes in the area as you had the place basically to your self and it was through a beautiful rain forest.










The Tunnel Track- Landsbourgh
Is located in Dularcha National park the trail is 3km one way and is accessible to horses/bike riders and walkers. The tunnel was built in 1891. The Dularcha tunnel is one of only two tunnels along the old narrow-gauge North Coast Line between Brisbane and Gympie. We accessed the tunnel via the northern side, from Paget Street via Dorson Drive. The tunnel was then only 900m one way.



Glass House Mountains
Mount Ngun Ngun
Mt Ngungun walk is the most popular walk in Glass House Mountains National Park because it’s also known as the best as well. The 2.4km walk has an elevation of 163m and takes around two hours return.





Mount Beerburrum
A paved but very steep walk leads 700 meters uphill through a small area of rainforest, then winds up through eucalyptus woodland to a fire tower. There is a 360 degree view of the Glass House Mountains.





Wild Horse Scenic Lookout
Is a 700m up hill concrete trail to a lookout with 360 degree view of the Glass House Mountain’s. It is well worth the hike to the top as it is one of the best places to ger views of all the mountain’s.


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