Narrows And Baroon Lookouts - Kondalilla National Park

Narrows And Baroon Lookouts - Kondalilla National Park

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Posted 2023-09-12 by Elainefollow


Okay, by my own admission, I'm not one of those people who love to climb mountains or do that ninety kilometre hike that everyone else raves about - you know the strenuous type of exercise that requires a six month exercise regimen to be able to cope. I'm more into the subdued, relaxing, taking one's time sort of exploration.



With this in mind, we came across the Narrows and Baroon Lookouts as part of the Obi Obi Forest Walk within the Kondalilla National Park . A beautifully scenic location where one can harmonise with nature deep in the Blackall Range. The Valleys filled with palms, vine forest, magnificent age-old Black Butt and open woodland ridges crisscross the streams - unfortunately no running water yet - which will only serve to enhance this spectacular section of the National Park.



We commenced our walk at the 'Great! Walk' carpark, just before the Baroon Pocket Dam, off Narrows Road, Montville - click here for route map . This is one of the starting points into the Kondalilla National Park for those fitness gurus who want to complete the whole 'Great! Walk', 58 kms in total.



But, nope, this wasn't on our agenda - we were planning on walking to the Narrows and Baroon Lookouts, a total of 4.4 kilometres (two hours) return - this includes the short detour to Narrows Lookout. The Narrows and Baroon Lookouts trail takes walkers through rain-forested gullies with multiple boardwalks interspersed en route, before a steady climb to the Baroon Lookout overlooking the Obi Obi Gorge.



Kondalilla is a national park in the Blackall Range of South East Queensland, ninety-one kilometres north of Brisbane. William Skene founded this area on his property while searching for lost cattle. He originally named it Bon Accord before giving it to the Queensland Government who, during the fifties, renamed it Kondalilla, which is an Aboriginal word for running water. Aboriginal people travelled great distances every year to feast and celebrate the bounty of this region's bunya nut harvest and today still maintain strong cultural links to this area.



Kondalilla National Park is an important refuge for many animals and plants including the rare Australian marsupial frog Assa Darlingtoni and the bopple nut, Macadamia Ternifolia , which is vulnerable to extinction. More than one hundred and seven species of birds have been seen in the park and seventy species of reptiles - thank goodness, we only saw one - and thirty-two species of frogs have been recorded from the Blackall Range and nearby Conondale Range.



Some important Do's and Dont's to ensure that you have a pleasant walk:-
  • Do wear boots or strong shoes - surfaces can be slippery in the moist, mossy environment;
  • Do protect yourself from the sun - wear sunscreen, a hat and a long-sleeve shirt, even on cloudy days;
  • Do take warm clothes and raincoats, the weather is changeable;
  • Do use insect repellant;
  • Do avoid walking during times of extreme heat or high fire danger;
  • Do be careful to avoid falling tree branches which can occur during high winds;
  • Do avoid creek crossings during floods or after heavy rain;
  • Do carry adequate drinking water and food;
  • Do carry a first aid kit and know how to use it;
  • Do plan to complete your walk well before dark



  • Do not feed animals or leave food for them - human food can harm wildlife and cause some animals to become aggressive - penalties apply;
  • Do not remove anything - The Kondalilla National Park is a protected area and it is an offence to remove anything - living or dead;
  • No fishing is permitted in this National Park;
  • Pets and domestic animals are prohibited;
  • Camping ONLY in designated campsites;
  • Fires are not permitted, use fuel stoves only



  • If we all adhere to a few simple rules for the protection of the Kondalilla National Park, we are thereby ensuring that we and future generations will always be able to enjoy the natural beauty of this panoramic area.

    'Sometimes Ranger' Elaine's tips:- Don't miss the short detour to Narrows Lookout and Obi Obi Creek. Stay on the boardwalk from Narrows Lookout to help protect the rare 'hip-pocket frog' aka Assa Darlingtoni, a very special local. Allow approximately two hours for the round trip, though we did manage to complete the 4.4 kms in just over an hour and a half - I'm not boasting here, but I'm pretty good on the downhills, the best part of any walk.



    Escape the heat of summer and experience a cool retreat of subtropical rainforest and open eucalypt forests all within the Kondalilla National Park - a walk well worthy of a bookmark.

    Images courtesy of author, Elaine de Wet

    #adventure
    #animals-wildlife
    #free
    #fun-for-children
    #montville
    #sunshine-coast-surrounds
    #walks
    %wnsunshinecoast
    146748 - 2023-06-13 23:44:44

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