Adventure: Dunethin Rock Explore - 2km circuit

If you are looking for a short hike that offers stunning views and a touch of history. Dunethin Rock is the perfect destination located along the Maroochy River. This scenic spot has been a beloved landmark for over a century. Providing visitors with peaceful vistas and a glimpse into the region's past.

Suitability

Suitable for walkers. A short hike to a rocky boulder with great views over the Maroochy River, cane fields and mountain monoliths to the north. 

Highlights 

While it’s possible to drive right to the top, walk this little loop instead through tree-lined roads to stretch your legs and earn the view.

Dunethin Rock has been a landmark tourist destination for over a century. Offering peaceful views over the Maroochy River, its mangroved banks and the surrounding cane fields. To the north, you will see Mount Coolum and Ninderry.

Meaning 'place of swimming trees' its name reflects the region’s timber-logging past. In the 1860s, logs were rafted down the Maroochy River to this point, where they were loaded onto boats bound for Brisbane sawmills. Today, the rock is still appreciated for the vistas from the summit and is part of the Maroochy River Canoe Trail.

Afterwards

Make sure you visit the lake and walk on one of the most impressive pontoons on the Sunshine Coast. It’s a great spot for sunsets though you might need to protect yourself from the mozzies. The mangroved banks also make it a great place to fish for mangrove jack, bream and flathead.

For those who enjoy a paddle, there is a boat ramp here for launching and exploring the Maroochy River Canoe Trail or for enjoying a paddle around Lake Dunethin. Canoes are available for hire from the scout camp opposite the lake entry. It’s a perfect spot to learn to paddle as the waters in the lake are shallow.

Lake Dunethin connects to the Maroochy River providing access to Yandina upriver and Cotton Tree downriver.

How to get there

To reach Dunethin Rock, take the Yandini Bli Bli Road that runs between the Bruce Highway and Bli Bli Road. (Turn off on Bli Bli Road is Willis Road). 

The park is approximately halfway along the road in either direction (6 km), on the northern side, accessed via Pearce Drive. 

Head to the Dunethin Rock Scout campground to park your car. Walk along Lake Dunethin Road and then right in to Dunethin Rock Road to get to the summit of the rock.

For more than 250 walking, running, paddling, cycling, mountain biking and horse-riding trails on the Sunshine Coast go to the website Adventure Sunshine Coast.