Easter signals the start of hiking season in the Scenic Rim! Just an hour from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and starring rainforests and ancient volcanoes that create the most incredible walks, hikes and adventures, it’s time to grab your waterbottle, lace up your boots, slap on a hat and slop on some sunscreen. Here’s eight top trails you should do for Easter!
Curtis Falls | Tamborine National Park
This 1.1km loop is a perfect introduction to QLD’s oldest national park – Mount Tamborine. Suitable for walkers of most abilities, Curtis Falls Track is the perfect family amble. You’ll stroll through wet eucalypt forests and lush rainforest, look out for Lyrebirds, the elusive Platypus, Brush-Turkeys, Lorikeets, Eastern Whipbirds and Satin Bowerbirds, then, spend time appreciating the beauty of Curtis Falls. Be mindful to keep to the paths and out of the water, as the area is a protected glow-worm and Platypus’ environment. After the walk – treat hikers big and small to a sweet treat at Lemon Lovers Gelato.
Binna Burra – Tullawallal Circuit & Coomera River Falls via Coomera Circuit | Lamington National Park
Binna Burra Lodge is the perfect base for all levels of walkers and hikers. There’s a mix of trails, from easy strolls to active, epic adventures. The 10.6km return trail along the Coomera Circuit to the Coomera River Falls weaves through dense rainforest and leads to incredible vantage points of some of the Scenic Rim’s most impressive waterfalls and cascades. For the smaller children, there is an easier stroll, although no less beautiful, the 5.1km Tullawallal Circuit takes trekkers through forests abundant in wildlife, to reach Australia’s northernmost pocket of ancient Antarctic beech trees: one of our remaining links to the ancient forests of Gondwana.
Yellow Pinch Lookout and Lower Portals Track| Mount Barney National Park
Yellow Pinch Lookout is a simple 1km walk to the viewing platform which provides sweeping views over Mount Barney. Pop in to Oakey Creek Farm’s Harvest Café, a sensational paddock-to-plate champion, or take some of the farm grown delights home.
O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk | Lamington National Park
From wide boardwalks (to accommodate family togetherness and conversation), to climbing ladders and multiple suspension bridges (to encourage adventure seeking and bravery), the O’Reilly’s Treetop Walk is a favourite. The suspension bridges lift walkers 16 metres above the tree-top canopies, where endangered birds can be spotted nesting nearby, and if the ladders up the giant Fig tree are braved, families are ultimately rewarded with views from 30 metres above ground. Then return to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and replenish with lunch at the Rainforest Café, where the kids can also feed the local Crimson Rosellas.
Logans Lookout at Mount French | Moogerah Peaks National Park
Big views! Short distance! That’s what you get with the North Cliff Track at Moogerah Peaks National Park. Beginning from the carpark at the top of Mt. French, it is a mere 720m walk along a trail to arrive at panoramic views over the Fassifern Valley and the Great Dividing Range. Then pop into the Scenic Rim Brewery – great brews and an ice creamery too!
Tamborine Forest Skywalk | Moogerah Peaks National Park
This exciting Eco-Adventure allows you to explore the gorgeous rainforest canopies. The entire Tamborine Forest Skywalk totals 1.5 kms and is a combination of forest floor trails, 300 metres of high-tech steel bridges through the highest points of the upper canopy, and a 40 metre cantilever bridge that soars a breathtaking 30 metres above the creek and rainforest below.
Just down the road is the brilliant Thunderbird Park a family paradise, and home to Australia’s largest Zipline & High Ropes Attraction, built specifically for children aged 3 to 7, plus the world’s largest Thunderegg Mine.
Cedar Creek Falls and Rockpools | Tamborine National Park
Pack your togs for this easy 500m boardwalk trail, which finishes at Cedar Creek’s clear, cascading rock pools. The natural plunge pool is fantastic. Swimming always works up an appetite, so it’s worth popping into the true-blue Bearded Dragon Hotel at the foothills of the Mountain afterwards, for some yum pub-grub. Here children are welcomed and have an opportunity to feed baby Goats and Alpacas.
Rainforest Circuit | Main Range National Park
With the start point positioned roadside, when driving through Cunningham’s Gap, this 1.6km return Rainforest Circuit is the perfect spot to get out of the car and stretch the legs and be rewarded with astounding views over distinct volcanic peaks, the Fassifern Valley and Lake Moogerah. If you’re with little ones and are after the easiest route, take the trail clockwise at the base of the stairs. Need even more of a driver reviver? Stop in for some delicious tucker at Lake Moogerah Cafe, that’s sure to hit the spot.
