Amamoor State Forest and National Park is located in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. It is an ideal place for hiking, bushwalking and picnicking. Amama day use area has great facilities including picnic tables, BBQs, toilets and tap water.
In Amamoor National Park, there are two camping sites: Cedar Grove Camping Area and Amamoor Creek Camping Area.
There are three official trails in Amamoor State Forest and National Park:
1 Amama Walk
2 Cedar Grove Hiking Trail and Rainforest Walk
3 Amamoor Creek Hiking Trail
Walk with family, friends or in a group. Never alone! Bring a medium day backpack with 1.5 litres of water for each hike and snacks. Long sleeves and long trousers are preferable. Put in your backpack first aid kit, insect repellent in form of cream; please avoid the spray since the aerosol created during the spraying is going to spread in the environment. Pack a raincoat, torch, tissues and phone. Wear hiking boots or hiking shoes. Bring walking poles if you like to use them. On hot days, bring electrolytes to dissolve in water to compensate the lost through perspiration.
Amama Walk.
Amama Walk is a circuit of 2.5km return, allow two hours. The National Park classifies the hike Grade 4, which means bushwalking experience is recommended, tracks may be rough with steep sections. Moderate fitness level is required and ankle supporting boots are strongly recommended.
Photo by Author.
The walk is challenging because the rocky trail, the creek crossings and rock hopping. There are steps, many roots from trees on the trail and a steep section going up to Diamondfield Lookout.
Diamondfield Lookout. Photo by Author.
The trail starts opposite Amama day use area, on the other side of the road.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
The highlight of this walk is a gorgeous waterfall and few waterholes. It is paramount to leave the waterfall absolutely pristine.
Photo by Author.
Just before the off shoot to the waterfall, there is a huge Bunya tree. The sign explains the marks on the tree were made by the Aboriginals to climb up the tree for Bunya nuts. The bunya nuts are delicious roasted resembling the taste of chestnuts.
Photo by Author.
If you decide to have a dip in the waterhole, avoid putting on you antiperspirant, sunscreen and insect repellent in order to keep the water free from nasty chemicals. In the area, there are native frogs and platypuses and microscopic forms of life which benefit from clean water.
Photo by Author.
On a trail, there is always something interesting.
Shedded snake skin along the trail. Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
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The hike is about 6km long, allow two hours walking time. The National Park classifieds the walk Grade 4, which means bushwalking experience recommended; the track may be long, rough and very steep. Moderate fitness level is required and ankle supporting boots are strongly recommended. The trailhead is at the Cedar Grove camping area. Follow the sign for the Rainforest Walk.
Photo by Author.
The Cedar Grove trail branch off the Rainforest Walk.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
Unfortunately, this area is affected by lantana, an invasive prickly shrub.
Lantana shrub has numerous small tubular flowers. Photo by Author.
Balloon cotton bush (Gomphocarpus physocarpus) is mainly considered as an environmental weed in Queensland. This species is very invasive replacing native species and can form relatively dense infestations.
Balloon cotton bush (Gomphocarpus physocarpus). Photo by Author.
The flowers of the balloon cotton bush Gomphocarpus physocarpus. Photo by Author.
The seeds of the balloon cotton. Wind and animals contribute to spread the seeds in the environment. Photo by Author.
After the initial steep section, the trail becomes easier.
Photo by Author.
From the old stump a new tree managed to emerge. So awesome! Photo by Author.
On the trail, there are many trees of wild citruses. I hiked at the end of February and there were lots of citruses fruits on the trail fallen off the trees. The fruit releases an incredible citrusy aroma when the skin get pinched open.
Photo by Author.
Delicate ferns, Photo by Author.
Old tree in the forest. Photo by Author.
The Amamoor Area is famous for the many swimming waterholes but the level of the water in the creek is rain dependant.
At the end of February 2021, Amamoor area did not have much rain and the water holes were shallow.
Swimming hole. Photo by Author.
Lots of trees with red berries. Photo by Author.
The walk is a circuit of about 2.5km, allow one hour and half walking time. The trail is classified Grade 4 by the National Park which means bushwalking experience is recommended; track may be long, rough and very steep. Moderate fitness level is required and ankle supporting boots are strongly recommended.
The starting point is at the famous Country Music Muster at the Amamoor Creek Sate Forest Park.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
The official name of the camping site is Amamoor Creek camping area but locally is called the Camp Muster.
To find the start of the trail walk along Poulsens Rd and hike the trail in anticlockwise direction.
Photo by Author.
The track meanders through open, eucalypt forest and through forest with an interesting mix of rainforest plants that grow in drier areas on poor quality soils.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
Aspect of the trail. Photo by Author.
It is recommended to avoid camping at Amamoor National Park sites before and during the music festival. The camping sites are packed with people attending the Gympie Muster which generally happens at the end of August and lasts four days.
Amamoor Creek Road.
Be prepared for a relaxing and scenic drive. The landscape is very idyllic with green hills and green pastures for the cattle. Take care driving since the cattle is often on the road or just at the edges.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
Almost sunset, a swirl in the sky. Photo by Author.
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/
