Somerset trail
Venture through a variety of forest types on this lovely half-day hike with stunning views to the western horizon.
- Journey type
- Walk
- Distance
- 13km circuit The same start and finish point, but the traveller doesn’t return along the same path
- Time suggested
- Allow 4hr walking time
- Grade
- Grade 4 walking track
Accessible by
- Conventional vehicle
Journey facilities
- Lookout (natural)
- Walking
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Take a half-day hike through scribbly gum forest and piccabeen palm groves. Photo credit: Tomek Z Genek © Queensland Government
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Marvel at views stretching over Somerset Dam and Lake Wivenhoe from the lookout. Photo credit: Tomek Z Genek © Queensland Government
Starting opposite The Gantry, this track winds through lush rainforest, scribbly gum forest, montane heath and piccabeen palm groves.
Spy colourful fruit-doves and flying foxes tucking into rainforest fruits. In the dry, open forest, possums, goannas and other tree-dwelling animals give away their presence by leaving scratch marks on tree trunks. Look for squiggly trails covering the surface of the scribbly gum's trunk, made by the larvae of wood-boring moths.
Stop at Somerset lookout halfway along the track and take in magnificent vistas stretching west to Somerset Dam and Lake Wivenhoe—unquestionably the park's best view.
WARNING! Unfenced cliff edges. This track leads close to unfenced cliff edges.
Reduce your risk of falling and sustaining serious or fatal injuries:
- Stay on the formed walking track.
- Stay well back from cliff edges.
- Do not climb rocks around the cliffs.
- Supervise children carefully.
Getting there and getting around
Somerset trail is in the North D'Aguilar section of D'Aguilar National Park, about 70km from the city of Brisbane.
- The trail begins opposite The Gantry.
From the south
- Drive 24km from Dayboro via Mount Mee Road (tourist route number 29) and Sellin Road to the park's entrance.
- Continue 920m to The Gantry. The road to The Gantry is suitable for conventional (2WD) vehicles.
- Read 4WD with care for important information on 4WD safety and minimal impact driving.
From the north
- You will need a 4WD or trail bike to access this walk from the north. The maximum speed limit on forest roads is 40km/hr and all road rules apply.
- Drive 17km from Woodford via the D'Aguilar Highway, Neurum, Stanton and Rassmussen roads to the park's northern entrance.
- Continue south along the Mount Mee forest drive to The Gantry.
- Read 4WD with care for important information on 4WD safety and minimal impact driving.
Wheelchair access
There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities on this trail. There are wheelchair-accessible facilities located at The Gantry day-use area.
Before you visit
Opening hours
Somerset trail is open 24 hours a day.
Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.
Visiting safely
For more safety information see Visiting D'Aguilar National Park safely and Walk with care.
- Planned burn closures - Mount Nebo, Gold Creek and Mermaid Mountain areas 27 May to 6 June 2023
- Planned Manorina trailhead upgrade 14 April to 31 July 2023
- Diana's Bath Road - partial closure 12 December 2022 to 30 June 2023
- Camp Mountain access road closed due to landslip 5 July 2022 to 30 June 2023
- Temporary road closure Jacky Creek area Mount Mee Section 14 February to 30 June 2023
- Mt Mee - Mill Rainforest walking track closed due to storm damage 5 January 2021 to 30 June 2023