Sandy Creek Circuit is almost bursting at the seams with flourishing greenery, a flowing fresh water creek and thriving bird life. Gently descending through towering palms and thick forest, the rough dirt track leads onto the wet valley floor to the gushing creek. A short paved walk way over the glassy rushing water leads the way back onto the stony dirt track through beautiful Piccabeen Palm Groves.
Cameron Falls as seen from Cameron Falls Lookout
The forest is still and so spectacularly quiet that the sounds of birds chirping, whistling, singing and calling permeate the place like a beautiful note perfect orchestra.
The dirt track travels alongside the creek, soon becoming engulfed by exposed tree roots and small stones. Watching ones step becomes somewhat essential to avoid a fall, but makes the track much more enjoyable and interesting to walk. Skyscraper palms make their presence impossible to ignore as they climb into the blue sky high above the forest canopy.
The meandering Sandy Creek Circuit track is a joy to walk
At the half way point of the circuit, a short seventy five to a hundred metre track branches off through the forest leading to the dramatic pounding white water of Cameron Falls. Set against shiny black rock cliffs and fringed by emerald forest and swaying palms, Cameron Falls is proof that nature is truly the most talented designer of all.
The Cameron Falls Lookout provides sweeping views across the valley to Mt Flinders. Be aware that if it has rained the few days before, that the track to this lookout does get quite wet and muddy. Get down and dirty though, because the rain plumps up Cameron Falls to a fiery thunder that is certainly worth getting wet for.
The green palms reflecting in the creek
Once back to the circuit, the track changes from dirt to a series of stone staircases and then back to a narrow dirt track again. It leads to another part of the creek with a paved section to cross it. This is a wonderful place to remove ones socks and shoes, sit down and dangle them in the invigorating creek while looking over a waterfall and being shaded by the forest canopy.
A great place to get refreshed, especially when the creek is high after rain
Sandy Creek Circuit is a fascinating walk which keeps its walker intrigued at every turn. Magnificent Yellow Carrabeen and Red Carrabeen trees soar straight up into the heavens in all their glory, giving the walker a final thrill on the journey back up the gentle slope.
Sandy Creek Circuit (otherwise known as the Knoll Walking Track) is a 2.6 km circuit located in Mount Tamborine in the Gold Coast Hinterland. If you are driving, follow Main Street to Knoll Road, travel Knoll Road and veer off to the left when the road branches out and up to the parking area.
There are toilets, rotunda, picnic tables and BBQs with a lovely views - a great place to enjoy lunch after a walking the circuit.
