Queensland
With good reason, Queensland’s beaches capture the tourism limelight. Lazing on them is, of course, a blissful pastime not to be missed on a Queensland holiday. But some of the best of Queensland’s beaches are away from densely occupied areas and play host to wonderful walks where a cooling ocean swim involves the slightest of deviations from the trail.
Queensland is famous for its holiday islands and two of the most notable of those for walkers are Fraser Island and Hinchinbrook Island. Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island and boasts 40 crystal clear freshwater lakes. Hinchinbrook is an extraordinary tropical wilderness barely touched by human kind. A more accessible coastal walking region is provided by the Sunshine Coast’s Great Sandy National Park.
Even Australians sometimes forgotten that Australia’s epic Great Dividing Range shadows the length of Queensland’s 3,000 kilometre coastline. The mountains, sub-ranges, high country and tablelands that comprise Queensland’s share of the Great Dividing Range house innumerable walking gems.
Being close to the coast, this mountainous hinterland is warm and humid - ideal conditions for the tropical rainforest that typifies the area. Humidity can make for challenging walking conditions, so needs to be factored into the timing of a walking holiday, and the duration of a walk. The more southern hinterland, particularly at height, is more appealing to most.
The Queensland Government has invested in walking in the State and markets a number of them as Queensland’s ‘Great! Walks’. These walks are usually well-maintained with amenities for walkers.
Some of the best walking regions in Queensland are set out below
Lamington and Springbrook National Parks
These National Parks form part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. They are home to the most extensive area of subtropical rainforest in the world. They are also a haven for a diversity of rare and protected plants and wildlife. This ancient wilderness area is a world apart despite its close proximity to Brisbane.
Carnarvon National Park
Set deep in Queensland’s remote Central Highlands, the park features towering sandstone cliffs, moss encrusted gorges, indigenous cave art and sweeping tablelands. The jewel in the crown is the spectacular Carnarvon Gorge which includes stunning rock formations such as the Ampitheatre, the Art Gallery and the Moss Gardens.
Great Sandy National Park - Cooloola Section
The Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park lies between the popular holiday destination of Noosa Heads and Rainbow Beach. It features pristine beaches, sand dunes, mangroves, rainforests, woodlands plus freshwater lakes and rivers. Star attractions include the giant Cooloola Sandmass and the Double Island Point Lighthouse.
Fraser Island
Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and has justly attained World Heritage protected status. It is home to over 40 crystal clear freshwater lakes including the stunning Lake McKenzie with its acclaimed turquoise waters and white sandy shores. Highlights include the Valley of the Giants rainforest and the sand dunes of Wongi.
Scenic Rim Region
South-east Queensland’s Scenic Rim is a spectacular arc of mountain ranges, ancient volcanic plateaus, forested valleys and lush rainforest gullies. The region falls within the acclaimed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. The West Scenic Rim region in the Main Range and Mount Barney Parks offers spectacular walking.