Best Easy and Fun South East Queensland Hikes

Best Easy and Fun South East Queensland Hikes

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Posted 2016-05-03 by Roy Chambersfollow
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Most people love to get out into nature. Hikes are a great way to do this, but not everyone wants to go hiking for hours or even the whole day. All these walks are lovely short walks that also have something fun, unusual or interesting.



There are many easy hikes around South East Queensland. This list of easier ones is a good place to start along with this additional list . Here is another list of shorter hikes . If you want anything harder then this list of the best hikes in South East Queensland is worth a read. If you want some easy to reach views, try this list of lookouts .

[SECTION]Heritage Trail and Governors Chair Lookout[/SECTION]

Mt Mathieson is has a great 8.1 km hiking circuit, which includes two shorter walks that you can do independently, The Heritage Trail and Governors Chair Lookout Trail. In total these two linked trails are 3.5 km return and make for a great easy hike.



The place to start this walk is at the Governors Chair Car Park. The heritage trail is on an old road and you can see the stones that make up the trail. My understanding is that this used to be a logging road. There is also the remains of an old bullock cart on the trail.



After finishing the Heritage Trail, you can walk the 150 metres to Governors Chair. The name comes from when this was where Queensland Governors would stop to enjoy views when travelling west over Spicers Gap. You can also pop in to visit the Settler's Grave Monument at the Spicers Gap Camping Area.



[SECTION]Browns Falls at Killarney[/SECTION]

This great little walk will have you rock hopping and scrambling along a 1.2 km return track to a lovely little falls. Browns Falls is one of the 4 falls on the Falls Drive that is part of the Boonah-Killarney Scenic Drive .



There are other waterfalls on this drive. Teviot and Daggs falls are just lookouts that you drive up to, but you will probably have already walked the 2 km Queen Mary Falls Circuit . If you need to do some additional walking, then Browns Falls is going to be perfect for you. The track starts at a beautiful picnic area with the path running under the road. The start gives you the impression that this path will be as smooth or not smoother than the Queen Mary Falls track. But it definitely isn't.



The trail is pretty rough and crosses the creek several times. There are also parts where you need to scramble up a little way and you will need to keep an eye out for trail markers. You can't get lost as you are following the creek, but the markers tell you the easiest way to go. There is nothing too hard here, but it is good to be aware of this if you are wearing nice shoes or clothes and weren't expecting a scrambling walk.



The walk along the creek is very beautiful with several cascades. Some people come to a small waterfall that is part of the cascades and think it is the falls. But you have to keep going past that to end of the track.



[SECTION]Caves Circuit at Binna Burra[/SECTION]

The Binna Burra section of Lamington National Park has a number of lovely little walks. One of the most popular is the caves circuit. Not really a circuit, as the return track follows the road, but still worth doing either as a return walk or by walking back down the road.



As a circuit the walk is 5 kms long with most people starting at the lower carpark at Binna Burra and walking up via the caves track, then returning via the road. If you do it as a rerturn walk it will be a little longer. The most interesting feature are the caves. Some of these are natural formations of overhanging rock and others have been clearly cut out for the path.



This is a great short walk. You may want to combine it with another short walk such as the Bellbird Lookout Track for views or the Gwongoorool Track for a swim. Afterwards you also enjoy the views from the Lamington Tea House.



[SECTION]Baroon Lookout [/SECTION]

The Baroon Pocket Dam lies between Maley and Montville. It is a great place to stop for a barbecue or picnic if you are in this very scenic area. On the northern side of the lake is a nice 4 km return walk. This includes a side track to the Obi Obi Creek and the Baroon Lookout which looks down on the creek and has views of Lake Baroon.



This is a wonderful well maintained track. There are lots of little bridges, boardwalks and other features. However be aware that you are walking uphill to a lookout. While not particularly difficult, if you are less fit then you want to give yourself plenty of time. Of course coming back is all downhill, which is perfect.



Overall a fun walk to a great lookout. Looking down on Obi Obi creek you will see how far up you have come.



You will also be able to see the lake from the lookout. It is well worth taking a stroll along this path. It is easily suitable for any age.



From near the lookout you will see that the track continues with a warning sign that recommends that you don't. This track goes all the way to Kondalilla Falls . This rough and steep track is a great 20 km return walk, but there is not point unless you are prepared to do a long walk.

[SECTION]Purling Brook Falls Circuit at Springbrook[/SECTION]

Springbrook is the home of spectacular short hikes, plus the longer 17 km Warrie Circuit . One of my favourites is the 4 km Purling Brook Falls Circuit that takes from from the cliff tops, down to the base of the falls and back up again to the lookout at the top of the falls.



It is generally better to do this walk in a clockwise fashion from the Gwongorella Picnic Area. The walk is fairly steep, but as the walk is short, anyone with reasonable fitness can complete this walk with no problems. Don't be afraid to rest and enjoy the scenery if you have to.



The forest that you descend through is mostly densely packed eucalyptus trees and similarly fire adapted species.



The highlight of the walk is the base of the falls. You can also take a side track from there to the Warringa Pool. This adds an additional 2 kms to the walk.



Heading up the hill is always a little strenuous, but you will arrive at the top of Purling Brook Falls and the views from the cliff top. It is well worth the effort.

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165902 - 2023-06-15 02:11:27

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