Bushwalking may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to a family visit to the Sunshine Coast, however, there are actually dozens of tracks to explore with kids! Within 7 national parks and several state parks and forests, these bushwalks offer vistas from clear blue ocean to cascading waterfalls and everything in between.
Conondale National Park
This 35,700-hectare national park is home to a huge selection of flora and fauna, including many rare and endangered plants and animals. Spectacular views abound, with plenty of lush rainforests, creeks, cascades and waterfalls for visitors to get a good dose of the great outdoors. The Conondale Range Great Walk is the ideal way to see the area, though, at 56km and taking about 4 days for an experienced hiker to complete, it’s not exactly doable for most families. Sections of the walk can be done individually though, so keep this in mind if heading to this area.
Booloumba Falls Walk
- LENGTH: 3km return (around 2 hours walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 3 (Moderate walk for most families)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs
Marvel at the waterfalls and cascades as you walk along the creek through an open forest. Look out for ‘The Breadknife’ rock formation as you near the junction of Booloumba and Peters Creeks.
Currimundi Lake (Kathleen McArthur) Conservation Park
Just north of Caloundra, Currimundi Lake is not actually a lake, but the mouth of Currimundi Creek, which often gets closed off from the ocean by sandbanks. The local council regularly break down these sandbanks to let the water flow back out to the ocean.
The walks in this area are relatively short and lead you through wallum heathland where you may spot coastal birds and wildflowers (peak flowering time is late winter to spring). The expansive ocean views are your reward on these walks and a dip in Lake Currimundi is a must-do.
Heath Circuit
- LENGTH: 1.4km return (around 40 mins walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 2 (Easy walk for most families | Flat, unsealed tracks)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Only the first 140m is sealed bitumen and leads to a viewing point overlooking Currimundi Lake, the rest is not accessible for prams or wheelchairs
Discover phebalium and casuarina woodlands that transform into tea-tree and wattle woodland, then into low-growing wildflower heathland.
Beach Access Track
- LENGTH: 2km return (around 1 hour walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 3 (Moderate walk for most families)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs
Take a walk through woodlands leading behind and over the sand dunes past pandanus trees and casuarinas for breathtaking beach views.
Glass House Mountains National Park
Framing the Sunshine Coast to the west, the Glass House Mountain range not only provides a stunning sunset backdrop, but is heritage listed both on the Queensland and National registers as landscape of national significance. Walks in this national park guarantee spectacular views and incredible scenery, whilst exploring the open forests.
Tibrogargan circuit
- LENGTH: 800m to Mountain View Lookout (10 minutes walking time), 4.1km for full circuit (around 90 minutes walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 3 (Moderate walk for most families)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs
After just a short walk, you will reach a lookout that offers expansive views of Beerwah, Coonowrin, Tibberoowuccum and Tunbubudla. From here, the track takes you around the base of Mt Tibrogargan. Be on the lookout for peregrine falcons soaring above!
Mount Ngungun Summit Walk
- LENGTH: 2.8km return (around 2 hours walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 4 (Moderate walk for most families | Some inclines and stairs | Possibility of rockfalls and unstable surfaces)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs
Mount Ngungun is the sixth tallest of the Glass House Mountains, at 253m. You will definitely want to allow time to sit at the top for a while and take in the uninterrupted views of neighbouring Mount Tibrogargan, Mount Coonowrin and Mount Beerwah. Check out our full Climbing Mount Ngungun with Kids review here.
Kondalilla National Park
Situated near Montville in the Blackall Ranges, and about 103km north of Brisbane, Kondalilla National Park is well known for its incredible waterfall. The area is home to over 100 species of birds, including the awe-inspiring peregrine falcon.
Picnic Creek Circuit
- LENGTH: 1.7km return (around 45 mins to 1 hour walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 2 (Easy walk for most families | Flat, unsealed tracks)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs
Take a stroll through cool rainforest and eucalypt forest to spot a gorgeous small waterfall and cascades. Enjoy views across the valley from Obi Valley Lookout.
Kondalilla Falls Circuit
- LENGTH: 4.7km circuit (around 2-3 hours walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 3 (Moderate walk for most families)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs
Walk down through the rainforest to the rockpools at the base of the Kondalilla Falls for incredible views, then trek the 300 stairs back up to your starting point. Check out our full Kondalilla Falls review here.
Mapleton Falls National Park
With views across the Obi Obi Valley and the opportunity to spot Mapleton Falls, this lush rainforest area is very accessible for families and provides a wonderful ‘all-round’ bushwalking experience without being too arduous.
Mapleton Falls Lookout Track
- LENGTH: 50m return (around 5 minutes walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 1 (Easy walk or roll | Sealed track)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Wheelchair and pram accessible
Known for peregrine falcons nesting along the cliff faces in August and September, this lookout walk is an easy stroll to take in the incredible views across the Obi Obi Valley.
Wompoo Circuit
- LENGTH: 1.3km return (around 45 mins walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 2 (Easy walk for most families | Flat, unsealed tracks)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs
Winding through eucalypt forest and rainforest, this trail also takes in Peregrine Lookout, with views of the Obi Obi Valley and Mapleton Falls.
Mount Coolum National Park
Well worth the effort, a visit to Mount Coolum should be on every bushwalking family’s bucket list. The 208m high peak offers incredible views, with plenty of rainforest, eucalypt forest and paperbark wetlands to see along the way.
Mt Coolum Summit Walk
- LENGTH: 1.6km return (around 2 hours walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 4 (Moderate walk for most families | Some inclines and stairs | Possibility of rockfalls and unstable surfaces)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs
Though a challenging walk, the Mount Coolum Summit Walk is worth it for the rewards at the top! There is an established track leading up, where climbers are rewarded with 360-degree views over the coast and the hinterland. Check out our full Climbing Mount Coolum with Kids review here.
Noosa National Park
Bordered by incredible coastal scenery on one side and commercial development on the other, Noosa National Park is a wildlife sanctuary where you may spot a koala or any number of native birds. This is one of our favourite things so do in Noosa with kids, as there is such a diversity of landscapes to explore (and the potential to see wild koalas). The park encompasses eucalypt forests, wetlands, heathlands and rainforest areas to explore.
Palm Grove Walk
- LENGTH: 1.1km circuit (around 30 minutes walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 3 (Moderate walk for most families)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs
This short rainforest walk takes you amongst towering pine trees and drooping palms. Be on the lookout for birds and other wildlife.
Tewantin National Park
Around 10km from Noosa Heads, Tewantin National Park contains subtropical rainforest, with open eucalypt forest and remnants of wallum heathland. For more adventurous hikers, Mount Tinbeerwah provides some incredible views.
Palm Grove Walk
- LENGTH: 1km return (around 30 minutes walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 3 (Moderate walk for most families)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs
Taking you along Wooroi Creek, this track passes through piccabeen palm and cabbage tree forests. NOTE: Parts of this track are shared with mountain bikers – be aware and step aside for them to pass.
Mount Tinbeerwah Lookout Track
- LENGTH: 1km return (around 45 minutes walking time)
- DIFFICULTY: Grade 4 (Moderate walk for most families | Some inclines and stairs | Possibility of rockfalls and unstable surfaces)
- ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs
Whilst this track is a grade 4 walk, the first 130m to Mount Tinbeerwah Lookout is wheelchair and pram accessible and provides incredible views out to the coast. The remainder of the walk climbs higher to the fire tower lookout where you will be greeted by 360-degree views at 265m above sea level.
Now that weโve inspired you to trek the Sunshine Coast’s best bushwalks, why not head south to check out these Kid Friendly Bush Walks on the Gold Coast?
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