Conondale National Park Brisbane | Sunshine Coast

Photo credit: Adam Creed © Queensland Government

Things to do

    Image showing a lace monitor. It and other wildlife forage around the camping areas. Pack strong containers for storing food and rubbish.

    Lace monitors and other wildlife forage around the camping areas. Pack strong containers for storing food and rubbish.

    Photo credit: © Ross Naumann, QPWS volunteer

    Camping and accommodation

    Camping

    The Booloumba Creek Road access to camping areas includes creek crossings that are accessible by high clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles only.

    There are three camping areas at Booloumba Creek—camping area 1 is suitable for tent camping and has three sites suited to high clearance four-wheel-drive campervans and camper trailers; camping area 3 is suitable for people camping in tents only; camping area 4 is suitable for camping in tents and high clearance four-wheel-drive campervans, caravans and camper trailers.

    Nearby Imbil State Forest’s Charlie Moreland camping area, on Sunday Creek Road, is accessible by conventional two-wheel-drive vehicles.

    Camping permits for all camp sites must be booked in advance.

    Other accommodation

    A range of holiday accommodation is available in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Image of Booloumba Falls walking track.

    Booloumba Falls walking track.

    Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government

    Image of creek cascades which are a feature on the walk to Boolumba Falls.

    Creek cascades are a feature on the walk to Boolumba Falls.

    Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government

    Image of the creek view from Peters Creek walk.

    Creek view from Peters Creek walk.

    Photo credit: © Ross Naumann, QPWS volunteer

    Image of a strangler fig grows as part of a feature on the artwork sculpture, the Strangler Cairn. The walking track to Artists cascades goes past the sculpture.

    A strangler fig grows as part of a feature on the artwork sculpture, the Strangler Cairn. The walking track to Artists cascades goes past the sculpture.

    Photo credit: Omar Bakhach © Queensland Government

    Image of Mount Allan fire tower which provides expansive 360 degree views.

    Mount Allan fire tower provides expansive 360 degree views.

    Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government

    Walking

    Several walking tracks let you explore diverse forests, observe inquisitive wildlife and view cascading creeks and waterholes. The walks range from a short stroll to Booloumba Falls to the challenging 56km Conondale Range Great Walk.

    Peters Creek walk

    Grade 3

    Distance: 500m return
    Time: Allow 15min
    Details: Walk through open forest and rainforest to a picturesque boulder-strewn creek with rock pools and cascades.

    Booloumba Falls walk

    Grade 3

    Distance: 3km return
    Time: Allow 2hr
    Details: Walk through tall open forest and discover this scenic creek's cascades, waterfalls and rock pools. At the junction of Peters Creek and Booloumba Creek view The Breadknife rock formation.

    Gold Mine walk

    Grade 3

    Distance: 5.2km return from day-use area
    Time: Allow 2hr 
    Details: This walk through riparian rainforest has scenic views of Booloumba Creek and leads to an old gold mine from the 1920s.The remaining entrance can still be viewed but the mine is closed for public safety. Eastern horseshoe bats and common bentwing bats live in the mine.

    Strangler Cairn ©

    Grade 3

    Distance: 6.5km return
    Time: Allow 2hr 30min
    Details: Beginning in the Booloumba Creek day-use area, this walk along the Conondale Range Great Walk track leads to an impressive 3.7m high Strangler Cairn © sculpture by artist Andy Goldsworthy. It is made from many hand-cut granite and metamorphic blocks and includes a rainforest strangler fig sapling that is growing from the top of it. The artist’s intention being that over time the fig’s roots will grow to eventually cover and ‘strangle’ the cairn. Goldsworthy is internationally known for creating ephemeral works in natural environments around the world.

    Please do not climb on, damage or remove any part of the sculpture.

    Artists Cascades

    Grade 4

    Distance: 10.6km return
    Time: Allow 4hr
    Details: Walk through dense subtropical rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest along the Booloumba Creek Gorge to Artists Cascades. A short side track leads to an impressive 3.7m high Strangler Cairn© sculpture by Andy Goldsworthy, an internationally renowned artist.

    Booloumba Creek to Mount Allan

    Grade 4

    Distance: 11km return
    Time: Allow 3hr 30min
    Details: Walk from Booloumba Creek day-use area to Mount Allan where you can climb the stairs of the 9.6m tall fire tower for splendid 360 degree views of the Mary Valley and surrounding Conondale Ranges.

    Mount Allan to Charlie Moreland camping area, Imbil State Forest

    Grade 4

    Distance: 8.8km return
    Time: Allow 4hr
    Details: This walk follows steep State Forest roads through pine plantation from Mount Allan to Charlie Moreland camping area.

    This walking track is sometimes closed due to forestry operations—before you go, check park alerts for current access, closures and conditions.

    Conondale Range Great Walk

    Grade 4

    Distance: 56km circuit
    Details: A range of walking experiences are offered within this Great Walk—from short strolls to the challenging four day, 56km, full circuit walk. Whichever you choose, the Conondale Range Great Walk offers an adventure to remember! Find out more about the Conondale Range Great Walk.

    Driving

    Registered four-wheel-drive high clearance vehicles may be driven on roads in these forests. A special permit is not required unless it is a commercial activity, a competitive event or an organised event.

    Conditionally-registered vehicles are not permitted. The driver must hold a valid licence to operate the vehicle.

    Day-use areas

    Picnic facilities, including barbeques, picnic tables and toilets, are provided at Booloumba Creek day-use area beside the creek. Bring your own drinking water and fuel stove or clean, milled firewood for cooking.

    Mountain bike riding

    Mountain bike riding is permitted on vehicle tracks within the national park unless otherwise signed.

    Mountain bike riding is not permitted on walking tracks; and beyond locked gates—unless otherwise signed.

    Ride safely:

    • Wear the right safety gear and be realistic about your abilities.
    • Be aware of other riders, walkers, horses, cattle, vehicles and logging trucks, and give way where you should.
    • Before you head off, check if any park alerts affect the park you intend to visit.

    Ride responsibly:

    • Slow down when you encounter horse riders and walkers on shared trails. Give way to horse riders.
    • Avoid skidding and sliding around turns and down slopes-this causes collisions with others and damages the trail. Stay on the marked trails and roads.
    • Keep trails in good condition and stop erosion by not riding during or straight after rain.
    • Obey all closure, access and safety information and signs.

    Horse riding

    Horse riding is only permitted on the SEQ horse trail network.

    Nearby in Imbil State Forest horses are also permitted on state forest roads and overnight in the horse paddock adjoining Charlie Moreland camping area.

    Horses are not permitted on designated walking tracks.

    Ride safely

    • Always wear a helmet.
    • Plan ahead; ride within your ability and according to track conditions.
    • Slow down or stop when approaching other trail users. Follow the give-way code.
    • Avoid riding in large groups—keep groups to fewer than 12.
    • Do not ride in areas closed to riding.
    • Carry a first aid kit and mobile phone. Be aware that mobile phone reception can be unreliable in this area.
    • Check weather and if any closures are current before heading out on your ride. See park alerts.

    Help protect the park environment by adopting a minimal impact approach to riding.

    • Stay on marked trails—riding over vegetation, taking shortcuts and forming new trails damages plants and wildlife habitat.
    • Keep tracks in good condition and limit erosion by not riding during or immediately after wet weather conditions.
    • Please help to limit the spread of weeds by:
      • Ensuring your clothes, shoes, bike, horses’ coats, hooves, equipment and floats are clean and free of seeds before park visits.
      • Providing weed-free, good quality, processed feed to horses at least 48 hours before entering a forest reserve or protected area.
      • Avoid riding through patches of weeds especially if they are seeding.
    • Only cross natural watercourses at designated crossing points on the trail.
    • Minimise damage to vegetation. Do not allow horses to graze on any vegetation while in the area.
    • Tether horses at hitching posts or resting areas only for short periods to minimise soil erosion and compaction.
    • Follow the code of conduct for horse riding through parks and forests—a set of guidelines for horse riders to follow to minimise their impact on park environments, and ensure they are meeting the legislative requirements of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and the Forestry Act 1959.

    Read about Horse riding in forest areas and the SEQ horse trail network in this region.