Five overnight loop walks in Queensland

An overnight walk that starts and ends at the same spot sounds perfect. That way you don't have to worry about swapping vehicles or trying to work out how you're going to get home. So with that in mind here are our 5 favourite overnight loop walks that showcase the tropical beauty of the Sunshine State.

 

Albert River Circuit, Lamington NP
Lamington NP offers some great remote bushwalking opportunities, including the 21.8km Albert River Circuit in the park’s Green Mountains section. It’s rated as a Class Four walk, requiring a moderate degree of fitness, previous experience and ankle supporting footwear. For an overnight hike, walkers can camp in Echo Point bush camp, located close to Echo Point lookout – you’ll need to make an advance booking and be self-sufficient at this campsite.
The circuit branches right from the Border Track approximately 5km from the trailhead and heads to Echo Falls. It then follows a branch of the Albert River up to Echo Point lookout and its panoramic views of Mount Wagawn, Mount Durigan and the Tweed Range, before continuing east along the QLD-NSW border to connect with the Border Track.

 

Cooloola Great Walk sample
The Cooloola Great Walk is one of Queensland’s 10 Great Walks, linking Noosa and Rainbow Beach via a system of high sand dunes known as the Cooloola Sandmass. This 108km, Class Four walk is usually done over five days, but there are two alternative routes on the last day and hikers can get a taster of the whole experience by connecting them.

Starting from Carlo carpark at the Great Walk's northern end, hikers can walk in to (and back from) Freshwater walkers camp (book online) either via Poona Lake (approximately 17.3km) or using the longer (24.7km) coastal route via Double Point Island. On the first option, you’ll get to see Poona Lake, the highest perched lake in Cooloola (swimming isn’t recommended). On the second, you’ll get a look at Double Point Island and remember that Teewah beach is in full sun, so set out early and look for shorebirds.

 

 

Illinbah Circuit, Lamington NP
Located in Lamington NP’s Binna Burra section, the 16.6km Illinbah Circuit is rated as a Class Five walk (requiring a high degree of experience and fitness). It can be turned into an overnight trip by staying at Illinbah bush camp near the Coomera River – advance bookings and self-sufficiency are required.
If you’re walking clockwise, start from the carpark near the park information centre and descend through rainforest and open forest to the Coomera River. The circuit then follows the ‘Old Cedar Road’ – used by timber getters in the early 1900s – and crosses the Coomera River several times, before leaving the river and climbing the Beechmont Range to return to Binna Burra. The river crossings can be hazardous after heavy rain and shouldn’t be attempted if the river is in flood. You can also walk anticlockwise, which may be less strenuous in hot weather.

 

 

Mount Donaldson circuit, Sundown NP
Further west (and to the south) on the QLD-NSW border, Sundown NP is home to several long distance walks in remote and rugged terrain – these longer walks are rated either class 4 or 5 and only fit and experienced walkers should attempt them. Bush camping (tent camping only, no facilities) is allowed throughout the park; advance bookings are required.
Starting from the Broadwater camping area at the park's southern entrance, the 24km (Class 5) Mount Donaldson circuit takes hikers up McAllisters Creek past Double Falls onto the southern slopes of Mount Donaldson. At the summit you can experience the views across the park and down into the gorge of Stony Creek, before continuing westward along the spur to the river and following this back to the camping ground. This walk takes two to three days and also connects to the Blue Gorge – Ooline Creek circuit, another long distance walk (30km, two-three days, Class 5).

 

 

Mount Lofty Circuit, Sundown NP
Located in Sundown NP’s northeastern section, the 32km Mount Lofty Circuit takes walkers to the summit of Mount Lofty and on to Red Rock Gorge. You’ll also walk through a variety of habitats, such as grey box forest on the flats and yellow box on the hills. This walk is also rated as Class 5 and walkers should allow two to three days to complete it.
To reach Mount Lofty’s summit, leave your car near the park’s northeastern entrance and follow the old 4WD track across Back Creek and then up the firebreak. Head north to the Severn River and follow it downstream to Red Rock Creek, before making your way along the creek to Red Rock Falls. From here, you can make your way back down the vehicle track to the park entrance. Note: that if you’re planning on hiking in Sundown NP, you should leave their trip details with rangers for safety reasons.

For info on these walks click here.