Kondalilla National Park Sunshine Coast

Photo credit: Chris Whitelaw © Queensland Government

Visiting Kondalilla safely

    Getting there and getting around

    Travelling by car

    Bitumen roads lead to Kondalilla National Park on the scenic Blackall Range.

    From the Kondalilla Falls Road car park, visitors access the picnic area and the walking track entrance via a 150m downhill walk with multiple stairs.

    For GPS and computer navigation use:

    • To access the day-use area and Kondalilla Falls walking tracks use “Kondalilla Falls Road, Montville” as the destination address.
    • To access sections of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk where it passes through the park use "Narrows Road, Montville" or "Flaxton Mill Road, Montville" as the destination addresses. See Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk web page for more information and maps.

    From Brisbane: travel 54km north along the Bruce Highway (M1), take the Steve Irwin Way Exit 163 (also signed as Glass House Mountains Tourist Drive 24 and the exit for Beerwah). Follow the scenic Steve Irwin Way approximately 22km north and take the Landsborough turnoff. Continue through the Landsborough township and follow the signs for Montville on the Landsborough—Maleny Road (Blackall Range Tourist Drive 23). Near the top of the range turn right onto the Maleny—Montville Road, travel through Montville and continue on the road which changes names to Main Street and then Flaxton Drive. Approximately 2.6km north of Montville turn left onto Kondalilla Falls Road and travel another 700m to the park entrance.

    From the north: travel to Nambour on the Bruce Highway (M1) and take State Route 10 exit (also signed as Blackall Range Tourist Drive 23). At the roundabout take the third exit onto Bli Bli Road heading to Nambour. Follow the Blackall Range tourist drive signs to the Nambour—Mapleton Road (via Bli Bli Road, National Park Road, Netherton Street and Blackall Terrace). Continue to Mapleton (approximately 11.5km) on the top of the Blackall Range. From Mapleton, the turnoff to Kondalilla Falls is approximately 6.3km south along Flaxton Drive which becomes Main Street. Turn right onto Kondalilla Falls Road and travel another 700m to the park entrance car park.

    Travelling by public transport

    Queensland Rail to Nambour, Sunshine Coast Regional Council Hinterland Connect bus to Montville. Kondalilla Falls Road turnoff is along the bus route (approximately 2.6km before Montville) and the national park is only a 700m walk down Kondalilla Falls Road from the nearest bus drop off point. Contact Translink for train and bus details. Local taxi service is also available.

    Wheelchair accessibility

    There are no wheelchair-accessible tracks or facilities in Kondalilla National Park due to steep terrain. Nearby, Mapleton Falls National Park has a wheelchair accessible lookout with views of the waterfall and rainforest valley below.

    Staying safe

    A number of people have died or been permanently paralysed after slipping over waterfalls in this area. Always supervise children, keep to the walking tracks, stay behind safety fences and follow all warning signs to avoid tragedy.

    • Stay on track. Remain behind barriers at lookouts and waterfalls. Tell a responsible person where you are going and when you expect to return. Wear sturdy shoes. Carry adequate clothing, water and snack food.
    • Supervise children. Natural areas have hazards that children are unfamiliar with including creeks, cliff edges, stinging plants and wildlife.
    • Water hazards—never dive into creeks or rock pools. They contain submerged rocks and logs. Water depth is variable and unpredictable. Rock surfaces can be slippery.
    • Carry a first-aid kit—and know how to use it. Use insect repellent on exposed skin and shoes to discourage mosquitoes, leeches and ticks. Remove ticks immediately.
    • Carry fresh water. Drinking water is not provided. Creek water is unsuitable for drinking as it may contain organisms that can cause illness.
    • Human food is not for wildlife—it can cause overpopulation, illness and aggressive behaviour.
    • Check Park alerts for current warnings or closures. Walking tracks are closed during severe wet weather due to flooding of the tracks. For your safety, do not enter the park when the closure signs are displayed.
    • Do not attempt to cross flooded creeks. If you are caught out on the tracks when creek crossings flood, wait until the water no longer covers the track. Water rises and falls in a short period of time.

    In an emergency

    In case of accident, other emergency or for reporting a bushfire or acts of arson, please:

    • Call Triple Zero (000).
    • Advise the location and nature of the emergency.
    • Stay on the phone until you are told to hang up.

    Mobile phone reception is not reliable in the park, but it is usually possible to make calls from the car park.

    The closest hospital is Nambour.

    For more information about staying safe while visiting national parks, please read the guidelines Safety in parks and forests.

    Before you visit

    Essentials to bring

    • Bring insect repellent to discourage mosquitoes, leeches and ticks.
    • Bring your own drinking water as it is not available at the park. Creek water is unsuitable for drinking as it may contain organisms that can cause illness.
    • Wear sturdy shoes, a hat, protective clothing and sunscreen.
    • Bring rubbish bags to remove your rubbish and recyclables from the park. Rubbish bins are not provided.

    Opening hours

    For your safety, walk in Kondalilla National Park in daylight hours only.

    Permits and fees

    Permits may be required for commercial or organised events. View permits and fees for further information.

    Pets

    Domestic animals are not permitted in Kondalilla National Park.

    Climate and weather

    Local temperatures can rise above 30ºC in summer and drop to freezing point overnight in winter. Nights can be cool at anytime of the year.

    Always check weather conditions before your visit. Be aware that forest areas are hazardous during strong winds, as tree branches may fall.

    During severe wet weather, which occurs mostly in spring and summer, some tracks flood and are closed for public safety. Check park alerts for current warnings or park closures.

    For more information see the Bureau of Meteorology website and tourism information links.

    Fuel and supplies

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