Adventure: Mapleton National Park, Gheerulla Full Loop (24km)
Up for a very challenging and very Australian adventure this long weekend? Perfect! Check out this classic Australian bush trail, mixed with waterfalls, gorges and rock pools - you can't get more Aussie than that!
If you’re up for a challenge this long weekend, this top end section of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland’s Great Walk (part of the 10,064hectare Mapleton National Park), is well worth the effort, ranking as one of the most scenic trails around.
Suitability
This trail best suits walkers with some experience, who are well prepared.
Highlights
This stunning national park offers mountain scenery, rocky bluffs with panoramic views, numerous creeks, waterfalls and mixed forestry.
Starting on the Gheerulla side, the trail is long and challenging, but incredibly rewarding, with spectacular scenery, from the creek deep in the valley up through the ridges and gullies of classic Queensland bush. You’ll be amazed at the height of the grass trees in parts.
On your journey, you’ll see remnants of the area’s logging past, with numerous large tree stumps still rotting slowly.
However, the forest still flourishes with several sections of beautiful tall red and blue eucalypts providing expansive canopies. In other parts there are Kauri Pines, Brush box, Iron bark, Tamarind and scrub rosewood if you know your species and where to look.
Make sure you take the side turn to Gheerulla Falls – a welcome respite.
Afterwards
You will have well and truly earned your refreshments from the nearby country towns of Kenilworth or Eumundi.
It’s also worth considering camping to round it out, for example, at the Kenilworth homestead on the banks of the nearby Mary River. There are also three camp spots at the start of the walk.
Getting There – Two Options
1️⃣ Gheerulla / Kenilworth Side
- Head north on the M1 , take the Eumundi exit and drive toward Kenilworth .
- From Kenilworth, drive 7.5 km and turn left onto Sam Kelly Road (dirt road).
- Follow it for 1.5 km , crossing a cattle grid .
- Park at the National Park sign.
- The track starts on the right .
2️⃣ Mapleton Side
- From Mapleton , take Obi Obi Road .
- Turn right into Delicia Road .
- Drive 5 km to a dip in the road with a Gheerulla Falls sign .
- Park here .
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.
