Lake Baroon, Maleny - author's photo
If you are looking for a gentle, child-friendly nature walk in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, then Martin Williams Nature Walk is perfect for you. The short loop track begins and ends at Lake Baroon's Southern Recreation Area, which has many sheltered picnic tables, barbecues, water access, and a children's playground with swings.
Stunning picnic area - author's photo
The walk itself is named after the first ranger of Lake Baroon, Martin Williams. He also designed the walk and oversaw the regeneration of the lake area until he died in 2007. He was a founding member of Lake Baroon Catchment Care Group (LBCCG), who have planted 120,000 trees in the area.
Keep an eye out for platypus - author's photo
One of the aims of the walk was to create habitat for local wildlife, and you can see many bird and possum nesting boxes along the track high in the trees. The walk passes through a diversity of vegetation, from Dry Sclerophyll forest, Hoop Pines, and Bunya Pines, to a small pocket of remnant rainforest. The lake is also home to many unusual water creatures, including the Mary River Cod, Golden Perch, Eel-tailed catfish, Platypus, and the Stony Creek Frog.
Excellent signage - author's photo
(also known as Baroon Pocket Dam) is tucked away in the Obi Obi Valley, located between Maleny and Montville in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Vehicle access to The Martin Williams Nature Walk is via Baroon Pocket Road, North Maleny. There are plenty of car parks available by the lake, however camping is not permitted.
Lake Baroon, Maleny - author's photo
Wildlife information - author's photo
