Adventure: Ewen Maddock Dam Main Track – 9km

A magical and varied one-way-walk lakeside through a scenic landscape, starting from a recently upgraded recreation area.

Suitability

Suitable for walkers of all ages, horse riders and mountain bikers. Dogs also allowed on-leash.

Highlights

This is one for everyone’s bucket list. Called the Main Track, the multi-use trail goes from Maddock Park on the northern side of the lake to Gympie Street North, near Landsborough.

Maddock Park was upgraded in the last couple of years to now include shelters, a vessel launch-pad and wash-bay facility, BBQ facilities and a playground.

This very picturesque trail offers lots of photo opportunities along the lake’s edge, including distant Glass House Mountains, waterlilies and other aquatic plants. You pass through tall stands of Eucalypts and other forest trees as well as groves of palms and paperbark trees in wetlands that are buzzing with vibrant blue and red dragonflies.

The trail is enhanced by a variety of birdlife throughout: willy wagtails, finches, whip birds, parrots, kingfishers, grey herons, ducks and pukekos, even pelicans in the distance. Along the way, near the lake's edge, you'll pass a big burnt-out stump, once a giant a tree.

For those not wanting to do the full 9km route, you can always turn around early, of course, and do this adventure your own way.

Afterwards

The beauty of this trail is at the end you can easily follow the road into Landsborough, a short distance away. The first turn on your left will take you back into the main street to a choice of bakeries and cafes.

How to get there

To the starting point: Turn onto Mooloolah Connection Rd from Steve Irwin Way. Follow this road to the carpark at Ewen Maddock Dam Maddock Park.

To the end point: The park gate entry at Gympie St North, where there is ample car parking, including for horse floats.

Alternatively, you might like to make this a there and back adventure starting from either end of the marked trail. Otherwise - consider organising car shuttlers. 

Amenities are only available at the start on north side.

For more than 250 walking, running, paddling, cycling, mountain biking and horse-riding trails on the Sunshine Coast, choose your next adventure with Adventure Sunshine Coast.