Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk Sunshine Coast

Photo credit: Adam Creed © Queensland Government

Visiting the Sunshine Coast Great Walk safely

    Image of people relaxing by the rockpools, Kondalilla National Park.

    Relax by the rockpools, Kondalilla National Park.

    Photo credit: Queensland Government

    Image of Flatrock which is a great place to rest enroute to Kondalilla.

    Flatrock is a great place to rest enroute to Kondalilla.

    Photo credit: Queensland Government

    Getting there and getting around

    The Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk winds through the scenic Blackall Range, approximately 90km north of Brisbane. Travel on the Bruce Highway (M1) and take the Blackall Range tourist drive (23) turnoff. There are scenic views of mountains and valleys to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east.

    If travelling by public transport, catch a bus or train to Namour—see Translink website—and then take a Sunshine Coast Hinterland bus to Montville, which is approximately 5.5km from the Baroon Pocket entrance point, or hop off at Flaxton Barn, which is part way along Great Walk route.

    For a quick overview of all Great Walk entrances, see Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk entrances map (PDF, 451.7KB) . Refer to the walking page that has a guide to each section of the Great Walk and details of which topographic maps to carry with you on the walk.

    Major access points

    Baroon Pocket

    Drive from Montville and follow the signs towards Baroon Pocket Dam via Western Avenue and Narrows Road. Turn right into the Great Walk (GW) entrance car park just before the Baroon Pocket Dam picnic area. You can begin the entire walk from the Baroon Pocket entrance (M1) and finish at the Delicia Road entrance (M4). It takes four days to complete the entire walk.

    Refer to Baroon Pocket Dam (M1) to Ubajee walkers' camp map (PDF, 1,008.6KB) (access guide only).

    Kondalilla National Park

    Access is via the Montville–Mapleton Road, turn west onto Kondalilla Falls Road.

    Refer to Baroon Pocket Dam (M1) to Ubajee walkers' camp map (PDF, 1,008.6KB) (access guide only).

    Mapleton Falls National Park

    From Mapleton township turn west onto Obi Obi Road and turn right onto Mapleton Falls Road.

    Refer to Baroon Pocket Dam (M1) to Ubajee walkers' camp map (PDF, 1,008.6KB) (access guide only).

    Mapleton National Park (Delicia Road entrance)

    From Mapleton township take the Obi Obi Road and turn right onto Delicia Road. From here the Great Walk entrance is approximately 2km on the right-hand side of the road.

    Refer to Ubajee walkers' camp to Delicia Road entrance (M4) map (PDF, 480.8KB) (access guide only).

    Minor access points

    Car parks and toilets are available at the Mapleton day-use area along Mapleton Forest Road.

    There are no facilities and only limited space for vehicle parking at these other minor access points:

    Make sure to remove any valuables, including garage door remotes and house keys, if parking your vehicle at any of the entry point car parks.

    If you are concerned about vehicle security while you're on the walk, consider arranging to be dropped off and collected when you finish the walk. Arrange this with family or friends or use a local taxi service.

    Staying safe

    Expect the best but prepare for the worst—you are responsible for your own safety. Sections of the Great Walk are remote and isolated. Accidents do happen, even to experienced bushwalkers. Nature can be unpredictable—storms, fires and floods can happen in a flash. Be aware of your surroundings, stay alert, use your senses and exercise sound judgment.

    Refer to the track grades for each section of the walk and choose a walk that best suits your bushwalking skills and level of fitness, and that of your group. See visiting safely information for Kondalilla National Park, Mapleton Falls National Park and Mapleton National Park.

    General safety guidelines

    • Never walk alone—small groups of about four are ideal; no more than 12.
    • Keep your group together. Know your group’s limitations and change your plans as necessary.
    • If someone becomes ill or difficult weather sets in, make camp and wait for conditions to improve or help to arrive.
    • Plan to reach camp well before dark. Don’t walk at night.
    • Know your location at all times and stay on marked tracks. Check your map regularly to mark your progress against features on the track.
    • Know your exit points—follow your progress on your topographic map and know your nearest road crossings or track exit points in case you need to get out quickly.
    • Avoid walking in extreme heat or during periods of high fire danger.
    • Watch your head! High winds cause branches to fall. In extreme winds, camping is not advisable, and walkers' camps may be closed temporarily.
    • Always watch for changes in weather.
    • Carry enough drinking water—four to six litres each day—food and a first-aid kit.
    • Treat all water taken from tanks and creeks.
    • Wear sturdy, enclosed boots or shoes—tracks are slippery when wet.
    • Obey all safety, warning and closure signs.

    See more information on possible hazards under walk safely.

    Before you visit

    The Great Walk is rugged in places and natural hazards exist. To enjoy a safe and memorable experience you'll need to be:

    • safety conscious
    • trained in 'remote area' first-aid
    • properly prepared with an emergency plan in place
    • able to navigate using a topographic map and compass
    • aware of track conditions, weather, and possible hazards (bushfires, floods)
    • an experienced bushwalker with at least one other experienced bushwalker; never walk alone!
    • physically fit.

    Assess your groups’ abilities

    Consider:

    • everyone’s bushwalking experience, fitness levels and special needs
    • sharing equipment to lighten backpacks.

    Prepare an emergency plan

    This should include:

    • each walker's name and their next-of-kin or best-contact details for each person in your group
    • any medical conditions
    • a detailed walking itinerary that includes your planned entry and exit points
    • a contingency plan
    • mobile phone numbers of each walker in the group.

    Ensure you:

    • are prepared to postpone or cancel the walk if conditions are too dangerous
    • leave a copy of the emergency plan with a best-contact person. This person will call Queensland Police Service if you are overdue.
    • remember to tell your best-contact person about any last-minute changes to your walking plans and call them as soon as you have completed the walk.

    Essentials to bring

    You must be fully self-sufficient. Local shops and facilities may not carry everything you need. Your equipment should include the following:

    • your camping permit
    • navigation equipment, topographic maps, compass and whistle
    • a remote area first-aid kit—and knowledge of how to use it. At least one person in your group should be first-aid trained. Carry enough compression bandages for injury or snake bite.
    • drinking water for each section of the walk—between 3 to 6lt per person per day. Walkers’ camps have a small water tank, and each section of the walk crosses semi-permanent creeks.
    • water treatment tablets or purification systems or a container for boiling water before use
    • nourishing lightweight food and high-energy snacks
    • clothes for all conditions—hot, cold, wet, dry
    • a strong, lightweight tent—no shelters are provided at walkers’ camps
    • a lightweight sleeping bag and sleeping mat
    • sturdy enclosed footwear
    • a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent
    • waterproof bags for clothes and bedding
    • sealable containers for food and rubbish
    • a small hand trowel or spade and toilet paper for bush toileting or a human-waste disposal kit
    • a torch, extra batteries and a pocketknife
    • lightweight cooking and eating utensils and a washing-up container
    • a fuel stove and fuel
      • waterproof matches or lighter for your fuel stove—remember fires are not permitted
    • mobile phones and, as reception is very limited in the national parks, consider taking a satellite phone, spot tracker or personal locator beacon (PLB) or another form of communication. There is no reception in the deep valleys.
    • extra batteries; remember that battery-powered devices cannot be recharged anywhere on the Great Walk. Don't rely only on them for navigation or emergency communications.

    Permits and fees

    Permits are required for camping in all Queensland national parks and reserves. You may be sharing with a few other walkers in the remote camping areas. Camp sites are limited—book early. Bookings can be made up to 12 months in advance.

    Climate and weather

    Hot days and warm nights grace Blackall Range summers, while winter months bring mild sunny days and cool nights. Temperatures can rise above 30ºC in summer and drop to 0ºC overnight in winter. Choose the best time of year to walk but be aware that weather conditions can change suddenly.

    • March–September: best time for walking
    • October–February: hot with possible storms especially in the afternoon
    • December–May: the plateau's wet season; expect damp to wet track conditions.

    Walking tracks, roads and walkers' camps will be closed during extreme weather events.

    Be aware: Fire season! Tracks may be closed.

    • September–February is bushfire season, so tracks may be closed for safety due to the danger caused by bushfires or severe fire conditions.
    • May–August is time for QPWS planned burns and tracks affected by the operations will be closed for safety.

    Check conditions before heading off

    Fuel and supplies

    Fuel and supplies are available in Montville, Mapleton and Maleny. For more information see the tourism information links.