... The Sunshine Coast Great Walk - Montville

Just north of Brisbane, the Blackall Range is one of the most dramatic terrrains in Queensland. The Whistle Stop is situated just metres from the entrance to the Sunshine Coast Great Walks - 58 kms of spectacular bush walking trails crossing the Maleny-Mapleton Plateau through the heart of the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Enjoy magnificent views of rolling mountains and valleys, and the Pacific Ocean to the East. View the tumbling cascades of the famous Kondalilla Falls, cool off by a rainforest rock pool or experience the meandering Obi Obi Gorge, carved by water over millions of years.

George has walked the full length of these trails and is available to answer any questions you might have about specific sections or highlights. For your convenience, we have broken the Great Walk down into 4 shorter 'day' hikes.

Walk Safely - Some sections of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk are remote and isolated. Accidents can happen, even to the experienced bushwalker. You must aim to be well prepared and responsible for your safety - even on short walks. Walk with
a companion.

Walk Softly - Leave only your footprints, take only photographs.

Pick up and Drop off points - Transport can be pre-arranged through your Secrets on the Lake hosts.

Facilities -  Toilets are located at each of the 3 walkers camps, as well as at the picnic areas at Lake Baroon, Kondalilla Falls and Mapleton Falls. Please be advised that mobile phone reception is generally poor.

What to bring - Wear adequate clothing, a cap and sturdy footwear to suit all weather conditions. To ensure your Great Walk is trouble free and enjoyable, your Montville Getaways hosts can provide you with a day pack containing a thermos flask, drinking water, tea, coffee, sugar, milk, insect repellant, suntan lotion, mini first aid kit, a laminated map and information for your chosen day walk. Picnic hamper packs are also available on request. Please ask your hosts for costs of the daily pack hire. A topographic map can be purchased when making your booking in order to plan your walks before arrival.

Walk option 1

Lake Baroon to Baroon Lookout (easy) 4.4km/approx 2hrs - An enchanting short walk featuring boardwalks, bridges and waterfalls with beautiful views of the lake and Gorge.

Baroon to Kondalilla Falls (hard) or Kondalilla to Baroon (med) 11.7km/approx 5hrs - Cross bridges over palm and vine forested streams. See spectacular views of the Gorge, Lake and Gorge. Boardwalks protect rare frog habitats. Walk amongst giant strangler figs in lush rainforest and enjoy a refreshing swim in Kondalilla Falls rockpools.

Walk option 2

Flaxton to Mapleton Falls (med) 7.3km/approx 2-3hrs - A moderate walk for the reasonable fit, taking in open eucalypt forest, rocky outcrops and the beautiful Baxter Creek waterfall. Cross Baxter Creek by suspension bridge and walk through a tranquil Palm filled grove. Finish at the mapleton Falls Picnic Area with its spectacular valley views.

Walk option 3

Delicia Circuit (med) 10.5km/approx 4-5hrs - Taking in the Delicia Road conservation park, the Ubajee Walkers Camp and Gheerula Falls. The Ubajee Walkers Camp is the perfect spot for a picnic lunch. After crossing Gheerula Creek take a short detour to the Falls - an ideal opportunity for a cuppa and photo shoot. Exit the forest on Delicia Road and return to vehicle alon road (approx 2.7kms)... or you can walk another 2.1km through Palm groves, eucalypts and rainforest to join up to the Mapleton Falls and Picnic area pick up points.

Walk option 4

Thilba Thalba Walkers Camp to Delicia Rd (med) 14km/approx 5-7hrs - A long, varied one day walk for the reasonable fit. Start from Thilba Thalba Camp and walk through open Scribbly Gum forest to Gheerulla Bluff taking in views of the Mary Valley. Descend to Gheerulla Creek and day area. Follow the creek with its many crossings (wet feet) and delightful picnic spots, using old logging trails of days gone by. Take a detour to Gheerulla Falls to cool off under the cascade and have a well earned break. Exit forest onto Delicia Road and pickup point. To complete the Thilba Thalba circuit you can walk another 7.7km (approx 2-3hrs) through dense rainforest and then along Delicia Road.