7 Romantic Hikes and Walks Around South East Queensland

7 Romantic Hikes and Walks Around South East Queensland

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Posted 2019-05-01 by Roy Chambersfollow
[SECTION]Walks with the person you love are romantic[/SECTION]

The are many reasons to go for a hike or a walk, but one of the best is to enjoy nature with someone that you love or are falling in love with. Below is a list of great romantic walks which includes beaches, islands, rainforests and waterfalls.



Everyone is a little different and romance is always about what is shared between two people, but the ideal romantic walk is not going to be too difficult, gets you away from the crowds and has amazing scenery.



[SECTION]Mt Tamborine Walks[/SECTION]

Mt Tamborine has so many things that make it a perfect romantic getaway. For people looking for walks, there are many options. There are 6 rainforest walks spread out in different patches of National Park on the Mountain, with best probably being the 2.6 km Sandy Creek Circuit which starts at The Knoll Lookout and includes a walk around the palm tree filled Sandy Creek and a diversion to Cameron Falls.



If you are looking for waterfalls, then the walk to Curtis Falls in the Joalah Section is a lovely romantic stroll of around 1.5 kms, or the walk down the 1 km return walk to Cedar Creek Falls and a great swimming hole.



Another romantic walk in Mt Tamborine is the Botanic Gardens. This great little park, which is mostly maintained by volunteers, packs a lot into a small space. The rainforest walk here includes numerous artworks along the track and there is a lovely lagoon to sit down beside.



Of course, there is also the Skywalk, where you get to get up close and personal with the treetops on the catwalks for the price of $20 per person.



Beyond the walks, there is shopping along the gallery walk, dining in various places around the mountain, several wineries, breweries and a distillery. Many people make a weekend of it, staying in one of the many great accommodation options. Last time I was there, I stayed at Witches Falls Cottages , right next to the Witches Falls walking track.



[SECTION]King Island[/SECTION]

For many people, a beach or island walk is a great option, and the best beach walk in the Brisbane area has to be the one that goes to an Island. King Island lies just off the coast of Wellington Point and is connected by a sandbar at low tide.



The walk can also include walking around Wellington Point, which has one of my favourite mangrove walks, because you are mostly walking on the bluff looking down on the mangroves rather than the normal Mangrove Board Walk. Wellington Point also features a great park, jetty and a beach where you can swim at high tide.



The walk to the island starts as the tide goes out and the sand bar is exposed. Getting there as early as possible makes the walk more interesting as you wade through the water or negotiate the peak of the sand bar. As the tide continues to fall, a wide sandy bar is exposed.



The island itself is a little over 100 meters long and less than 50 meters wide, and only 500 meters off Wellington Point. You will find spots to sit under the shade of low trees. Remember, don't stay out there too long or you will end being stuck there when the tide comes in.



After the walk, there is the option of seafood meal at the Point of View Restaurant and Cafe and its neighbouring fish and chip shop. Though personally I would rather enjoy a barbecue in the park or head back to the main strip at Wellington Point, where there is a selection of nice restaurants.



[SECTION]Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha[/SECTION]

Walks in the park are very romantic and I think the one I would choose over others is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha. The reason for this is the many winding paths, unique flowers, viewing platform, as well as the back section of the park that few people visit, letting you get away from others.



Just to be clear, Brisbane Botanic Gardens is the one on the slopes of Mt Coot-tha which most locals refer to as Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens. To get there, either drive up Mt Coot-tha Road or take the 471 bus from the city.

The park features 2 main sections. The front area is where most people visit, which features lovely winding paths through tropical and sub-tropical vegetation, and a Japanese Garden. Most people don't venture past this area of the park and it is already very romantic.



But I would also highly recommend heading to the back section of the park as well. It does involve walking up the road where you find such things as the Lookout with views of Brisbane, the National Freedom Wall commemorating peace in the Pacific and the Australian Flower Garden.



Beyond that middle section is the Lake area surrounding by a garden of Australian plants . Not many people go as far as this and walking around the lake with someone special is definitely both quiet and romantic.



There are no barbecues but you can enjoy a picnic in the park and there are several locations with tables and benches, though if you bring a picnic blanket, you can find many shaded green areas to sit and relax.


[SECTION]Gorge Walk on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) [/SECTION]

Islands are naturally romantic and the one with the best walk has to be North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah in the local Aboriginal language). While this island, like many in Moreton Bay, is a sand island, it also features a section of rocky cliffs, gorge and bays which make for a beautiful walk followed by a swim.



North Stradbroke Island is easily accessed by ferry from Cleveland. You can take the car or the passenger ferry, with the cost of the car ferry deterring day trippers from taking their car, it is easy to get around the island to some locations by bus.



The start of the walk is at Point Lookout, which overlooks Main Beach. The bus from the ferry terminal runs to here, with Point Lookout being the last stop.



You then follow the paths along the cliffs overlooking the little bays where we have seen sea turtles, as well as dolphins frolicking out to sea. While the water in the rocky inlets might look appealing, the waves and currents can be tricky. Luckily there is a great place to swim at the end of the walk.



The gorge walk joins up with the road, and you need to walk along the shoulders for a short while before making your way back down to the beaches. You can navigate the headlands easily when the tide is low and the path will start up again, taking you to Cylinder beach , which is a great place for a swim in summer.



Cylinder Beach is a great place for a picnic or a barbecue, but you can also head up to the Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel for great pub meals. Also, check out many of the Island's great restaurants and cafes.

[SECTION]Red Beach on Bribie Island[/SECTION]

When looking for a great beach walk, the best in South East Queensland for couples has to be Red Beach Bribie Island . There are many other beaches around, but Red Beach is an 8 km walk along a wide beach lined by bushland. The beach has several access points so you don't have to walk the whole 8 kms. The further you walk from access points, the few people will be around.



The beach is best walked at low tide, but you can walk the entire beach at high tide with just a few areas where you need to clamber over logs or wade through shallow water. It all depends on how adventurous you need your romantic walk to be.



One other thing, Red Beach allows dogs to be off the leash. So if you don't mind your 3rd wheel being of the 4 legged variety, this is a great place for a walk.



To do the whole walk you start at either Woorim or Bongaree and just walk around the southern end of the island. There are cafes, restaurants and pubs at both ends, but I think the cafes at Woorim are nicer, and the Woorim Surf Club has great views of the beach. To return you either walk 5 kms along the bush lined path that runs parallel to the road or just hop on the bus.



[SECTION]Box Forest Circuit at O'Reilly's[/SECTION]

Waterfalls are of course very romantic and O'Reilly's (officially known as Green Mountains Section) of Lamington National Park has a large number of waterfalls. The most romantic walk to see waterfalls has to be the Box Forest Circuit . This 10 km walk normally takes about 5 hours, not because it is hard, but because you will be tempted to stop at every waterfall and cascade that you encounter.



The walk starts from O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat and heads down the border track until you encounter the turn off onto Box Forest Circuit. I recommend hiking the circuit in a clockwise direction. In summer, the cascades are the ideal place to swim and it is about halfway through the walk. The best place to stop for a picnic is Picnic Rock, which is not so much a rock, but a rocky area by the creek to sit and snack.



Finish the walk by visiting the various attractions at O'Reilly's, including the Tree Top Walk, cafe and feeding birds by hand.



[SECTION]Daves Creek Circuit at Binna Burra[/SECTION]

If you and your partner's idea of a nice walk is really a hike, then one of the best romantic options would be Daves Creek Circuit at Binna Burra in Lamington National Park. This 12 km circuit is considered by many to be the hike that manages to combine it all.



The hike starts along the Border Track at Binna Burra, near the Lamington Tea House, then turns off onto the circuit. There is nothing challenging about the walk as you are not going up and hills.



On the walk, you will encounter a variety of vegetation, views down the valley, get up close and personal with a small waterfall and then there is surprise rock. This rocky outcrop can be easily scrambled up to get 360 degree views of the surrounds. It is also the ideal place for a quiet romantic picnic.



Post hike, you can enjoy tea, coffee, cake and lamingtons and the Lamington Tea House. On weekends stay on for dinner and entertainment.

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#nature
#mount_coot_tha
#gold_coast_hinterland
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124879 - 2023-06-13 02:02:39

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