How to do Conondale National Park

With its unspoilt scenery, multitude of hikes, lookout points, scenic drives, and nearby quaint country towns, Conondale National Park deserves a place in the National Park 'hall of fame'. Its ancient eucalypt forest forms the heart of an extensive area of forest reserves, making it an important conservation habitat for local wildlife.

Locals would argue that it also has the prettiest tropical waterfall in South East Queensland; Booloumba Falls. Granted, this part of the world offers scenic falls in spades, many more dramatic, but Booloumba Falls sneaks the lead with its split cascades and crystal clear water pools, ideal for a cooling swim.

It’s also a hiker and 4WD enthusiast’s playground, boasting a plethora of challenging walking trails and scenic drives through lush rainforests and creeks. Its day-use trails and walking tracks all require the grunt of a 4WD to access, often meaning you won’t see another soul during your visit.

Nearby, Conondale is an incredibly pretty country town on the outskirts of its namesake National Park, offering a handful of quaint shops to pick up supplies or stop for coffee and cake.

Conondale National Park trails

Abundant with picturesque hiking trails and forest walks, Conondale National Park and adjacent Imbil State Forest spoil visitors with winding pathways alongside crystal clear creeks and challenging hikes through dense forests. It's like nature's choose-your-own-advventure, but it is worth bearing in mind that these trails are suited to the most experienced of hikers with navigational skills. 

Gold Mine is an easy bushwalk that takes in one of Conondale National Park’s most beautiful spots. Walk the 5km track alongside Booloumba Creek where picnic and BBQ areas boast the best free lunch spot in the region. If you’ve got more in the tank, carry on to Strangler Cairn, Artists Cascades or Booloumba Falls, all signed along the walking track.

Booloumba Creek to Wongai Walkers Camp is one of the Park’s more moderate hikes and an easy day trip if you fancy a little bit of a challenge – without the remoteness.

Reward yourself (and refuel the body) post-hike with a pit-stop at the famous Kenilworth Bakery, less than 10kms from the finish line.

Experienced hikers will relish the challenge of the Mount Allen Trail. Accessible by foot, bike or horseback, the trail may only be a 9km round trip but it packs a punch. As well as steep inclines through rugged terrain and dense forest, it features a 9.6m fire tower with sweeping 360-degree views of Mary Valley, Conondale Range and Imbil State Forest.

Then, there’s the region’s Conondale Range Great Walk. A Grade 4, 56km (approx. three or four day) walking track of walking tracks, this challenging hike guides you to all of the Park’s most picturesque spots; Old Logging Arch, Peters Falls, Artists Cascades, and Summer Falls. With three designated campsites along the trail—Wongai walkers' camp, Tallowwood walkers' camp and Summer Falls walkers' camp—you’ll feel right at home, refreshed after a peaceful night’s sleep in the heart of the forest, before continuing your quest.

It’s worth preparing for this epic Queensland walk; it may not be the longest, but what it lacks in distance it more than makes up for in rugged terrain and consistently challenging trail.

Meet Conondale National Park's flora and fauna

Jaw-dropping vistas and thrilling terrain aside, the entire region forms part of an extensive green band, with Conondale Range Great Walk boasting great ecological importance as a sanctuary for a number of threatened species.

At Yabba Creek in Imbil State Forest, birdwatching is the pastime du jour, with doves, fantails, honeyeaters and tiny quails all on show amongst the hooping pines. The forest is also home to the rare (and very shy) yellow-bellied glider, as well as the Mary River turtle, found only in the last few years and named after the region’s famous river.

Where to stay in and around Conondale National Park

Sitting just 20 minutes outside of Conondale National Park near the gorgeous village of Maleny, Spicers Tamarind Retreat is a little slice of luxury in the wilderness. The boutique hinterland residences are enveloped by rainforest, each completely private and stealing incredible views of the valley below. 

A boutique caravan park, camping and glamping ground and hobby farm in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Kookaburra Park is haven for life-affirming souls who love to wake up around nature. Located just minutes from Conondale National Park and Kenilworth, this gorgeous property is fun for all the family – especially for the animal lovers. With activities like kayaking along the Mary River, lawn games, country walks and daily animal feeding times, Kookaburra Park feels like a home from home. There’s even an on-site coffee cart serving up beverages and selling fresh local produce straight from the region.

To feel rested and recharged after a long day’s hike, Yabbaloumba Retreat is a must. The 200 acre working farm features just four luxury cottages, each boasting absolute privacy and luxurious extras for guests. As well as having freshly made breakfast delivered directly to your cabin door, guests have private access to private swimming holes in Booloumba Creek, private walking tracks, and fish and wildlife watching areas.

Campers, make your way to Booloumba Creek camping areas 1 or 2. Designed exclusively for tent camping only (you’ll have to forgo the campervan), each site is surrounded by dense forest and is only accessible by 4WD. Campsite 4 is best for larger camping groups and is situated in open grassy forest and can accommodate ‘high clearance’ campervans towed by 4WD, whereas adjacent Charlie Moreland campsite in Imbil State Forest is where to camp if you're coming with a 2WD vehicle.

Swot up on your camping dos and don’ts with this guide to camping in Queensland’s National Parks.