A guide to the best walks and hikes on the Southern Great Barrier Reef

A technicolour of coral and vibrant marine life make the Great Barrier Reef one of the world’s most captivating sights. And it’s not just what’s below the water’s surface that impresses.

Capricorn, Bundaberg and Gladstone come together to shape the Southern Great Barrier Reef, an entry point to the world’s largest coral reef system that flows with lush rainforest, unspoiled islands and glorious surf breaks.

The best way to explore it all? By ticking off the best hikes around Bundaberg, plus the best Capricorn hikes and Gladstone hikes. Here, we round up our favourites.

Best hikes around Capricorn

Capricorn Coast Scenic Trail — Yeppoon to Emu Park

Get a taste of Yeppoon’s chilled out cafes, restaurants and boutiques before launching into the Capricorn Coast Scenic Trail from Yeppoon to Emu Park. Stretching over a wide shared path, you’ll take in Lammermoor Native Gardens and the Capricorn Coast Memorial Gardens as well as panoramic views across the coastline and beaches. Yeppoon Lagoon, Keppel Bay Marina and Wreck Point Lookout also await, as does the Singing Ship monument at Emu Park.

Duration: 10 km return.

Classification: Grade 1: Easy.

Accessibility: Yes. An expansive shared pathway seamlessly follows the coastline.

Great Keppel Island Mt Wyndham Circuit

On the hunt for sparkling Great Barrier Reef views? This trail explores the best of Great Keppel Island, though you’ll need to be in decent shape to get on board. Crossing the island in various directions until you reach its highest point, trailblazers will be rewarded with panoramic vistas out to nearby islands and surrounding beaches.

Duration: 10 km return. It can be challenging at times so allow for three to four hours in total.

Classification: Grade4: Difficult, with some experience in bushwalking required. It’s best suited to those with good fitness levels and hiking experience.

Accessibility: No. While trails are often clearly marked at times, there’s a lot of rocky and steep parts that only experienced bushwalkers should attempt.

Capricorn Coast National Park — Bluff and Double Head adventures

The Capricorn Coast National Park is teeming with extraordinary wonders, which is why there are two standout, well-trodden hikes to consider. The first is Bluff Point Circuit, the longer of the two, and then there’s the Fan Rock and Rosslyn Bay Lookout trail which is commonly known as the Double Head track. Both cover the park’s spectacular volcanic headlands, scenic lookouts and thriving marine life including the sea turtles that hang by the Bluff Point Circuit (if you can spot the elusive creatures).

Duration: Bluff Point Circuit: 2.3 km return, with most people completing it in 1.5 hours; Fan Rock and Rosslyn Bay Lookout trail: 700ms return, with most people completing it in 40 minutes.

Classification: Both trails are Grade 3: Intermediate.

Accessibility: No. Both trails feature steep sections, so wheelchairs and prams are not recommended.

Zamia Walk, Mount Archer National Park, Rockhampton

Seasoned hikers, look alive. The Zamia Walk in Rockhampton’s Mount Archer National Park is one for pros due to its significant incline. But opt in for seizing leg day because the views from this hike’s summit are almost spiritual. There’s also ancient volcanic neck formations and fascinating flora and fauna along the way and if you’re eager to learn more about the park, a cultural tour that dives into the Darumbal land and its traditional custodians can also be booked.

Duration: 14 km one-way and approximately 5 hours to complete.

Classification: Grade 5: Extreme

Accessibility: No

Bowenia Rainforest Circuit — Byfield State Forest, Byfield

Prefer easy strolls to escalating escapades? The Bowenia Rainforest Circuit in Byfield State Forest has your name written all over it. Take the scenic route through ancient cycads plants, towering turpentine trees, the local Byfield fern and crystal-clear creeks. You’ll find the start of this tranquil trail at the Water Park Creek day-use area.

Duration: 1.2 km and approximately 30-45 minutes to complete.

Classification: Grade 2: Moderate

Accessibility: No

Mount Etna Trail — Mount Etna Caves National Park, Rockhampton

Soak up views right across the Rossmoya floodplains’ volcanic terrain on a walk along Mount Etna Caves National Park’s Mount Etna Trail. It’s home to 80 per cent of Australia’s breeding population of Little bent-wing bats so wildlife enthusiasts are bound to find their fix. Furthermore, the park is one of the few places in the country that supports a colony of endangered Ghost Bats, which are fascinating critters with ginormous oval-ended ears. Get your camera ready.  

Duration: 2.4 km return and approximately 1 hour to complete.

Classification: Grade 2: Moderate

Accessibility: No, due to some steep inclines.

Queen Mary Sand Blow Track — Byfield National Park, Byfield

Ever seen a sand blow? Now’s your chance. This natural phenomenon occurs when sand and water spill out of the ground like an earthquake so think of it like the bubbling surface of the moon. The Queen Mary Sand Blow Track will take you to the largest active sand blow in the region, plus there’s spectacular coastal scenery and epic rolling sand dunes to instil further awe.

Duration: 4 km return and approximately 2 hours to complete.

Classification: Grade 4: Difficult

Accessibility: No.

Best hikes around Gladstone

Red Rock Walking Trail, Agnes Water

You’ll encounter different types of terrain on this Agnes Water hike, spanning easy boardwalk and sandy patches, but just keep pounding. Panoramic views and secret swimming spots are begging to be explored and you may even spot a dolphin or sea turtle as both native creatures call this stunning corner of the world home.

Duration: 2.5 km return, with most people completing it in just under 2 hours.

Classification: Grade 3: Intermediate.

Accessibility: No. Wheelchairs and prams can’t undertake the trail’s stepping stones and uneven ground.

East Shores to Spinnaker Park, Callemondah

Frolicking in beautiful Spinnaker Park is your reward for completing this hike, which takes you through the coastal suburb of Callemondah. You’ll wind your way around the ocean wall on the educational trail, passing native wetlands, ponds and a beached cove. One of the prettiest Gladstone hikes of all.

Duration: 8.9 km, with most people completing it in just under 2 hours.

Classification: Grade 1: Easy, and you can do it in sections.

Accessibility: Yes. It welcomes people with access needs and prams.

Turtle Bay Bikeway, Tannum Sands

Come one, come all along the Turtle Bay Bikeway in Tannum Sands, which shines a light on the beauty of Boyne Island. A wide paved path means the whole family can tackle this one as an interrupted stretch of the foreshore provides shimmering water views. Take your time along this hike, or bike, by dropping into the playgrounds, picnic areas and fitness stations that dot the way.

Duration: 13.2 km return.

Classification: Grade 2: Moderate, and you can do it in sections.

Accessibility: Yes. A shared path invites many modes of transport.

Discovery Trail, Agnes Water

Cover the best of the region with the Discovery Trail to Agnes Water Lookout, where spectacular views of Agnes Water Beach and Workman’s Beach await. Kick-start your adventure from the Agnes Water Museum carpark on Springs Road and keep your eyes peeled for photo-worthy flora and fauna as you trail through diverse bushland.  

Duration: 1 km return, with most people completing it in 1 hour.

Classification: Grade 3: Intermediate.

Accessibility: No. While the walk is clearly defined and there’s plenty of boardwalk, there are also unpaved sections.

Boyne Burnette Inland Rail Trail, Mungungo

Find an enthralling portal into a bygone time with the Boyne Burnette Inland Rail Trail in Mungungo. Ongoing work means it’s destined to be the longest rail trail in Australia one day, but you can already take on three large sections brimming with railway relics, dusty old bridges and abandoned railway stations. You’ll cover the historical railway precincts of Gayndah, Mundubbera and Monto too, plus an abundance of wildlife.

Duration: 270 km when complete. Currently, the three open sections vary in length.

Classification: Grade 3 to Grade 4: Intermediate to Difficult.

Accessibility: No, this is not a sealed path and the trail can get very rubbly.

Best hikes around Bundaberg

Rock Pool Walk — Mount Walsh National Park, Biggenden

Find natural reprieve from Bundaberg’s subtropical climate by dipping into this trail’s beautiful cluster of rock pools. The hike winds through Bundaberg’s wildlife-riddled Mount Walsh National Park before leading you to the enchanting pools that have naturally formed through years of water erosion. On the way back, keep a lookout for spectacular birdlife, including Wonga pigeons and White-throated treecreepers, plus Red-necked wallabies.

Duration: 3 km return, with most people completing it in 1 hour.

Classification: Grade 4: Difficult.

Accessibility: No. Granite rocks along the rough trail are slippery when wet and bushwalking experience is recommended.

Mon Repos Walking Track — Mon Repos Conservation Park, Mon Repos

Who doesn’t love a hero in a half shell? The Mon Repos Walking Track runs through Mon Repos Conservation Park, home to the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the eastern Australian mainland. Learn everything there is to know about the admirable work they’re doing by visiting the Mon Repos Turtle Centre before taking the track north or south to explore the beach, freshwater ponds, mangroves and just general coastal loveliness.

Duration: 4.5 km return, with most people completing it in 2 hours.

Classification: Grade 2: Moderate.

Accessibility: Yes, it’s accessible to bicycles, prams and wheelchairs.

Coral Coast Pathways (Burnett Heads to Bargara), Bargara

Soak up the beach culture of Bundaberg along the Coral Coast Pathways trail which ticks off a bunch of exceptionally beautiful sand and surf hot spots. You’ll head off from the marina towards Oaks Beach, weaving your way to Mon Repos’ turtle nesting grounds. Nielson Park will also come into view before you hit Bargara’s Kelly’s Beach.

Duration: 11 km, with more people completing it in 2 hours.

Classification: Grade 1: Easy.

Accessibility: Yes, it’s accessible to bicycles, prams and wheelchairs.

Walks along the water captured your interest? Take a look at the best coastal walks around Queensland.