Now that its cooling down a little and we aren’t all
sweating in the shade, it’s the perfect time of year to head outdoors and
explore some of the treasures in our own backyard. Haven’t tried any yet? A bit
unsure where to start? Never fear! We have put the call out to our community to
vote for their favourites, and we’ve come up with 10 great adventures to put on
your to-do list!
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| Dularcha Railway Tunnel |
If you like your exercise with a dose of local history, the
Dularcha National Park is a great place to start. The trail includes a heritage
listed railway tunnel built in 1891, as a part of the north coast line between
Brisbane and Gympie.
The park contains 3 multi-use tracks, suitable for walking,
mountain biking and horse riding:
Tunnel Bypass Track: 220m. This cheeky little extra is designed for horses who don’t want to travel through the tunnel, but is significantly more steep if you are looking to add some intensity to your route.
Roses Circuit: 8.8km (Northern entrance) or 8km (Southern entrance) return. This is recommended for more advanced walkers, due to steep inclines and loose gravel.
It's a perfect place to escape the rat race and doesnt seem to get insanely busy.
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| Mt Tinbeerwah peak as captured by @anitaski on Instagram |
Mount Tinbeerwah is nestled into the Tewantin National
Park. The Mount Tinbeerwah Lookout track is 1km and takes roughly 45 mins for
the return trip.
The first lookout is an easy walk with wheelchair and pram
access up to 130m above sea level. After this point you can continue to the
‘Fire Tower’ lookout, 265m up. The peak promises 360 degree views, making for
magic photos of the Sunshine Coast.
Popular for amazing pics at both sunrise and sunset.
Popular for amazing pics at both sunrise and sunset.
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| Mt Ngungun peak as captured by @nicoleedorrett on Instagram |
The Mt Nugungun summit track is just under 3km and takes
roughly 2 hours for the return journey to the 253m summit. The trail is great
for beginners and those new to the Glasshouse area.
If you decide to take on this trail, be mindful that you
will come quite close to cliff edges and you should exercise caution and
closely supervise children. The rock surfaces, particularly at the summit do
become slippery in the wet and always walk with caution to avoid dislodging rocks.
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| One of many scenic pitstops along the way Photo Credit: Kirsty Levy |
7. The
Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk
If you are looking to take your trail adventures to a whole
new level, its probably worth checking out The Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great
Walk. A 4 to 6 day 58km walk, spotted with overnight campsites. This trail really
is like a ‘Greatest Hits of the Hinterland’ tour.
The Great Walk is divided into 4 main parts stretching from
Baroon Pocket Dam to Gheerulla Falls. You can book permits for the campsites on
route, or if you are looking for a hot shower and a warm bed after a long day
of trails, there are plenty of accommodation options close by (some even offer
shuttles to the closest Trail entrance).
Whether its the whole track, a day trip or just a short stroll, The Great Walk has something for everyone.
Whether its the whole track, a day trip or just a short stroll, The Great Walk has something for everyone.
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| One of several lookouts along the track heading towards the Falls. |
Kondalilla Falls National Park is a hidden piece of
paradise on the Blackall Range in the Hinterland. The tracks in this national
park are argueably the most popular portion of The Great Walk, rating a big mention with the SCHF Community.
Luckily, you don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy a short
day walk in this utopian paradise. There are two main tracks on site:
Picnic Creek Circuit: 1.7km return trip (class 2), allow 45
mins – 1hr.
Kondalilla Falls Circuit: 4.7kms (class 3), allow 2-3hrs.
A totally tranquil environment to soak up some fresh air
and sunshine, a plenty of stairs to get the blood pumping!
5. Mary
Cairncross Scenic Reserve, Maleny
If you are looking for a drive up and range and an easy
stretch of the legs, Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is perfect for you. The
reserve covers 55 hectares of natural sub-tropical rainforest overlooking the
Glasshouse Mountains and wider Sunshine Coast.
This one is perfect for
beginners and very kid friendly. The terrain is easy and the track is less than
3km long, including several lookouts and boardwalks throughout.
In February this year, the Rainforest Discovery Centre was
opened making it an educational and informative experience for the whole
family.
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| Sunrise on the Coastal Pathway, Mooloolaba Beach |
4. The Sunshine Coast Coastal Pathway
The ‘Sunshine Coast Coastal Pathway’ is the longest shared
pathway in the Sunshine Coast Region. It stretches from Bells Creek to Tewantin.
The pathway hugging the coastline is divided into 11 sections, including the
hugely popular 4.4km stretch between Cotton Tree Park and The Esplanade in
Mooloolaba.
As far as views go, you’d be pushed to find a more picturesque
outlook while you are working up a sweat. We recommend heading out early, this
path gets busy and stays busy all day long. Plus, nothing beats watching
sunrise over Alex Headland!
We also love the 9km stretch between Bells Creek and Point
Cartwright.
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| Lookout at the base trail, Mt Tibrogargan |
For
those that enjoy the birds eye view of the Sunshine Coast, it is certainly hard
to beat the Glasshouse Mountains.
This region hosts 8 mountains, including popular summit
tracks like Mount Beerwah (556m), Mount Ngungun (253m), and Mount Tibrogargan
(362m). For some more details about the
Glasshouse Mountains, check out this blog from our SCHF Contributor Mel from
MAB Personal Training and Adventures for difficulty ratings and advice for
attacking each summit peak: http://sunnycoasthealthandfitness.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/mab-personal-training-and-adventures.html
It is really important to be experienced and prepared
before attempting the more difficult climbs. To find your feet, it’s best to do
your first attempt with an experienced guide to help you get acquainted with
these surroundings. Safety first!
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| Sitting at the peak of Mt Coolum |
2. Mt
Coolum National Park
Jokes aside, the Mount Coolum climb is a must-do for locals
and tourists alike. The walking track is classified as a ‘Grade 4’ track, with a
steep 1.6km return journey. It does require a moderate level of fitness, but
it’s suitable for the whole family.
1. Noosa
National Park
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| Sunrise along the Coastal Track, Noosa National Park |
If
mountains aren’t really your thing and you’d rather a slightly less challenging
track, the Coastal Track in the Noosa National Park is our communities favourite. The track
takes you from the park entrance at Hastings Street, along the coastline with a
couple of great beaches and some rock pools along the way. If you travel a
little further you’ll find Hell's Gates, one of the most photographed
destinations on the Sunshine Coast.
The return trip takes 1.5-2hrs depending how leisurely a pace you set. It does get hot out there, so make sure you’ve got sun protection and water. Better yet, head down early and watch the sunrise where the forest meets the sea.
The return trip takes 1.5-2hrs depending how leisurely a pace you set. It does get hot out there, so make sure you’ve got sun protection and water. Better yet, head down early and watch the sunrise where the forest meets the sea.
What do you think guys? Have we nailed it? What do you
think we’ve missed? Share your feedback and help other locals get exploring!
For more information or to
plan your next Sunshine Coast adventure, we recommend the Queensland Government
Department of National Parks, Sports and Racing: https://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/
Kylie
Sunny Coast Health and Fitness
Instagram: @alifestyleproject
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