Booloumba Falls
I am a sucker for a good waterfall and Booloumba Falls in the Conondale National Park does not disappoint.
About an hour and 15 minutes’ drive from the coast, you will need a 4WD for the last section of road if you only want to do the short walk to the falls as there are a couple of rivers to cross.
If you just want to hike to see the falls, an easy 3km return walk will take you there and it is worth every step.
Following a well-defined track, you will walk through tall open forest before coming to one of the clearest creeks you have ever seen – and that is less than 1km into the walk!
This walk is perfect for families and children as there are no big hills to walk up or down.
After you finish exploring this creek area, the walk veers away from the water but before too long, you will hear the rushing sound of running water and you know the falls are close by.
The track ends with a lookout over a dramatic gorge – making you realise how small we actually are.
From the lookout you can walk down to the main pool of the falls and scramble over rock pools to see the larger falls going down into the gorge.
There is even what looks like a private lap pool further down if you are keen to (carefully) make your way down the rocks – everything is pretty steep around here.
The main pool is deep and around 15m wide allowing a swim and a natural shower which we didn’t attempt on this July day but if I return in the warmer months, wild horses couldn’t keep me out!
The walk itself will take you a leisurely 2 hours (or less) and you can make time at either end for a picnic.
Given the river crossings and the steep dirt roads to make it out here, I probably wouldn’t try and visit in wet weather. I did see a sign saying a section of the road is closed off during heavy rains
Make it a longer stay and try some other walks in the National Park by setting up camp somewhere nearby.
At Booloumba Creek there are several pre-bookable camping areas. You will need 4WD to access all the campsites and the swimming hole. There is 2WD accessible free camping in the Charlie Moreland camping area in the nearby Imbil State Forest.
Noosa National Park Coastal Walk
If ever there was a place you would call paradise, this is it…
Kick off a stunning walk with a stroll along the boardwalk from the end of Noosa Main Beach.
This coastal track will take you past a couple of secluded beaches in the national park such as Tea Tree Bay, Winch Cove and Granite Bay that are ideal swimming spots.
We made our way towards the poorly named Hells Gate and clambered over the rocks to the Intsa-popular Fairy Pools which my nephew couldn’t get enough of!
The Fairy Pools are two natural tidal pools lying low between the basalt rocks just west of the tip of the headland and are best accessed at lower tides for safety reasons!
There is no signage for this special spot but the Fairy Pools are just below Dolphin Point – where we were lucky enough to spy a few actual dolphins playing out in the water.
The total distance (one way) along the coastal track is just over 5 kilometres but you can get away with a partial walk – especially if you have younger kids trailing along with you!
If you want to walk the whole way, you will have a beach walk section along Alexandria Bay – the coast’s unofficial nudie beach - before you reach the northern end of Sunshine Beach.
We didn’t make it this far on my first visit but apparently just before you get to Sunshine Beach there are A LOT of stairs to negotiate down (and presumably back up!)
You don’t have to backtrack all the way back, as there the inland Tanglewood Path near Hells Gate that takes you back through eucalypt and rainforest woodlands. At the halfway mark, take the elevated Noosa Hill track (which has some filtered views from its peak) back to the car park and start of the coastal path.
For what it is worth, the best views are at the beginning and Tee Tree Bay looks so inviting that I believe this is a spot I will return to again and again – even if only to search for the koalas that live in the trees around here.
The walk itself isn’t too difficult and doesn’t have a lot of hills or climbing – much of the path up to Dolphin Point from Noosa would even be pram friendly!
We managed to have a picture-perfect June day where it was still warm enough to swim and there were still plenty of people about. I can imagine that this path – and the Fairy Pools – get super busy in Summer and school holidays.
You will even spy keen surfers carrying their boards along the track searching for great waves away from the crowds.
It is easy to see why Noosa is popular with locals and tourists alike! Why not come see for yourself and book a Noosa getaway here.
Grapest 5km, Ocean View Estates
There is something about a fun run and a couple of drinks that just go together for me. It must be that wine is the perfect reward for vigorous exercise!
Enter the Grapest 5km - only the best idea ever.
The Grapest 5K Run is an event combining a jog through a picturesque vineyard setting, followed by wine tasting – and this year it took place between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast at Ocean View Estates.
The drive took me just over an hour and the second half was actually a scenic Saturday trip through winding country roads before arriving at the vineyard – complete with a dozen horses out front.
I was pretty early so I had time to stroll around and take in the beautiful views and snap a few pics at the photo booth the event organisers had set up.
Around 3pm (start times seemed pretty flexible…) everyone bunched up at the start line for what turned out to actually be a pretty challenging 5km. Vineyards are FULL of hills and uneven ground, especially when you are literally running in between the vines.
Luckily, this was most definitely a fun run and people weren’t taking it too seriously and happy to walk whenever it suited.
Once the running part was over, you collected your medal – complete with a wine stopper – and wine cup with a lanyard before strolling to the first of four wine tasting stations on the 1km walk back to the start.
Each tasting station had two wines to sample so you won’t go thirsty but they were also handing out bottles of water at the finish line, so that helped.
Okay, so you don’t actually have to do the first 5km run at all; you can be a total slacker and simply stroll through the stunning vineyard and sample wines as you go – but then, would you have earned it?
Once the tastings were done, you could buy more wine or grab something to eat from the special event menu running out of the vineyard kitchen before settling in to watch the live music, making this much more than just a running event.
Given this run took place in June, packing a warm change of clothes for when the sun goes down is essential – that mountain chill was definitely in the air!
The event organisers realise that after all that wine, driving isn’t really a safe option, so if you planned ahead, you could glamp within the vineyard grounds for the night and make a weekend of it.
Lake Borumba
The Sunshine Coast may be all about the beaches but sometimes you want to freshen up a little.
A trip to the fresh waters of Lake Borumba only takes about an hour from Maroochydore so can be easily reached for a day adventure.
Just south of Gympie, this island freshwater lake is protected from a lot of the elements and I fell in love with it.
If you have a boat then then this is the spot for you – offering up water skiing, tubing, kayaking and fishing. If you do want to fish here though, you will need a SIPS permit.
If you don’t have a boat, you can still swim and fish from the shoreline with no issues.
On our first visit, the sun was shining and there wasn’t a breath of air to disturb the glassy water surface. Once we left the main recreation area where people were skiing, all we could hear were the birds in the trees!
We spent most of the day fishing in peace.
The lake is home to Golden Perch, Australian Bass, Saratoga and the Mary River Cod and I managed to score a Bass that was around for a picture then back in the water.
Borumba is a lot bigger than it first appears. If you have a smaller boat (i.e. shallow) you head out amongst all the tree stumps off the main part of the lake. This ensures a fair amount of alone time too as a lot of people won’t stray too far from the boat ramp.
One thing I noticed was that the boat ramp was really steep, especially as water levels seemed quite low when we visited.
If a day trip isn’t enough for you, there are nearby campgrounds where you can stay for just $10 per adult, per night.
Gheerulla Falls
One of the best things about the Sunshine Coast Hinterland is that it is seemingly endless.
One sunny Sunday, we managed to find a nice easy walk where we didn’t see another soul – it was magical.
We picked a journey to Gheerulla Falls completely on a whim and had a great short adventure.
Getting there is easy – just drive out towards Mapleton and continue along Delicia Road. The last couple of kms are on a dirt surface but any car can make it.
The walk itself is part of the Sunshine Coast Great Walk in the Mapleton National Park so it is a good sample of what you might experience if you wanted to attempt the entire 58km trek.
Don’t let that big number scare you though – this is just a 1.5km stroll down to the falls. You will have to note that you will have to walk UPHILL to get back to the car though.
You can do the full 22km circuit that includes Mapleton Falls as well but unless you are an avid hiker, this would be tough to do in a day.
The entry to this track clearly isn’t visited much as there was a lot of long grass as we made our way down.
On the walk down you will be surrounded by large trees and hear so much bird life.
I was wondering how far we were walking because, even over half way down I couldn’t hear any water. I had assumed the falls would be flowing after recent heavy rains, but they are just hidden off to the right of the track when you reach Gheerulla Creek at the bottom.
As we walked, we could see the area was rich in minerals with green coated rocks everywhere!
The falls themselves are tranquil and make for a great photo…
You could possibly take a dip if you were so inclined as the pool at the bottom looks deep enough (maybe if you had walked the 22kms…) but we just took it all in and cooled our feet off in the nearby creek.
I recommend crossing the creek just for the view downstream from the middle. Plus, the ankle-deep water is very refreshing.
I can’t wait to discover more of the walks and falls in this National Park.
Mount Coolum
Be warned, you will not be alone on this hike but that doesn't mean the experience isn't worth it!
If you are looking for a quick and easy (ish) way to get some of the best views on the Sunshine Coast, then a visit to the summit of Mount Coolum is a must.
Located 6km south of Coolum Beach, there is a convenient car park at the bottom of this 197m rock.
The scenery, the Mt Coolum walking track and the views from the top are beautiful but don't be deceived, the trip up is still pretty steep and there are some narrow ledges to be wary of if you are bringing the kids out for a walk.
The entire walk shouldn't take you much more than an hour and a half return, even if you are pacing yourself on the many stairs you have to trek up.
Don't be intimidated by the people you will see jogging up and down - they probably do this every week!
The trek begins with lots of rock steps surrounded by trees, and then moves to a rougher stony track with small, hardy shrubs.
There isn't much shade on the top half, so wear a hat and maybe avoid the middle of the day for this one. I would also not try this one in wet weather as it looks like those rocky steps would be super slippery.
I have summited this rock twice - once in the peak of Summer and once more recently in Autumn - and in both instances, don't leave home without some water.
Once at the top, you will be rewarded with 360-degree views of the Sunny Coast. One side offers views over the coastline and beaches as far as the eye can see towards Noosa and Mooloolaba, the cane fields and wetland areas of the Maroochy River Valley, as well as the main areas of the Coast. The other provides you with a hinterland view over the hills and valleys - all the way down the Glasshouse Mountains.
It is believed that Mount Coolum is one of the Sunshine Coast’s ancient volcanic domes, created around 26 million years ago!
Rainbow Beach & Double Island Point
Rainbow Beach is probably best known as a stop off point before accessing Fraser Island but the beach-side town is a spot worth visiting in its own right.
Rainbow Beach can be accessed one of two ways from the Sunny Coast – along the beach by 4WD or via Gympie if you have to take the sealed roads.
If you choose the beach driving option, you will need a pass to cruise through Cooloola National Park.
Once you get there, you will find so much so do – it is an idyllic getaway for beach-goers, surfers, fishermen and campers alike.
Take the kids up (and down) the Carlo Sand Blow for an adventure and an amazing view over Double Island Point and the Coloured Sands.
Beyond the Carlo Sand Blow, and offering a superb view over the ocean with the likelihood of seeing dolphins, turtles, dugongs and even sharks is Double Island Point and the Double Island Point Lighthouse.
For keen surfers it is claimed that Double Island Point has the longest wave break in Australia. Double Island Point was named by Captain Cook on 18 May, 1770. He noted in his journal: "I have named ... Double Island Point from its figure ... the point itself is of such unequal height that it looks like two small islands laying under the land."
Double Island Point can only be accessed by 4WD – and generally only at low tide - either by driving south along the beach from Rainbow Beach, or by heading north along the beach from Noosa.
The secluded spot is good only for day visits though with a no camping rule in place. If you simply must stay close by, there there is a camping zone between the Noosa Shire boundary and Little Freshwater Creek.
If you can tear yourself away from time in the ocean, a walk up to the lighthouse is well worth it.
You can’t go inside the actual lighthouse but the views both north and south from the point are spectacular – you might even be able to spot some of the wildlife enjoying the water in the area.
To get up close and personal with the marine creatures, why not sort a scuba trip and see why some people say this is one of Australia’s top 10 dive spots.
Find somewhere to stay in Rainbow Beach.
Mount Tibrogargan
This climb is definitely not for the faint of heart.
Note that I used the word climb - not hike or walk - because this 100% involves climbing and shouldn't be undertaken lightly.
You will need your hands, some good leg muscles - not to mention shoes with good grip - and a decent level of fitness to make it to the top.
That said, if you are fit and healthy and not too afraid of heights, the views at the top of Mt Tibrogargan make it worth the effort.
The mountain isn't the highest in the world, standing at just 364m above sea level, but it sure is steep! You can think of it as less hike and more a rock climb without a rope.
You do get to ease into this workout though, starting on the Tibrogargan circuit track, winding through the bush. If you don't want to make the climb, this 3.3km walk is a great alternative and does offer some nice vistas of the surrounding Glasshouse Mountains area in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
After you pass the Mountain View Lookout just under a kilometre from the main carpark, you will see several signs assuring you this is a dangerous path if you choose to continue on the uphill slog.
If there is one thing I can't recommend enough at this point, is to come prepared with plenty of water - preferably in hands-free form as you will be busy clinging to the side of the rock.
Unfortunately for those fearing heights, the hardest part of the climb actually is the very first section and quite a few people turn back at this point or at the top of it.
The way to get through this is to take your time and not worry about the people behind you or those rushing to come down. There are plenty of handholds and foot placements. Also - don't look down.
One thing running through my mind on the climb up was how on earth I'd make it back down after. The climb up was long and exhausting but I spent plenty of time on the top enjoying the view, hydrating and catching my breath.
For all that hard work, there is an amazing reward to greet you at the top - you feel like you are on top of the world! On the day we climbed, I could see all the way to Brisbane but the real stars are the unique shapes of neighbouring Mt Ngungun and Mt Beerburrum.
It took us just over an hour to make it to the top and a little longer to get down (safety first!) and felt we had earned everything we ate for the rest of the day!
The next day by arms and legs were still telling me I had done an epic workout... I will be back to visit some of the other climbs you can do in the area.
