South East Queensland Hikes
South East Queensland Hikes
From granite peaks and ancient rainforest to towering waterfalls and volcanic mountain summits, South East Queensland is one of Australia's most rewarding places to lace up a pair of hiking boots. No two walks feel quite the same, which makes it the perfect destination for a hiking holiday. Here are our tried and tested picks.
The Pyramid and Granite Arch
Just a hop skip and a jump from the New South Wales border, Girraween National Park is squarely in granite belt country. Boulder-capped granite domes tower above you, their rounded summits silhouetted against the sky. And from the top, those same summits reward you with sweeping views stretching to the horizon in every direction.
The Pyramid and Granite Arch is one of the best hikes in the park. It begins on easy, well-maintained trails through open bushland before passing beneath Granite Arch, an enormous balancing boulder that seems almost too perfectly placed to be natural. From there, the adventure ramps up as the track climbs straight onto the granite, scrambling to the top of The Pyramid for spectacular views across the park and the famous Balancing Rock.
The thing we love most about this hike is that it’s not all about the destination — the journey itself is packed full of things to see along the way. It's steep enough to feel adventurous, short enough to fit comfortably into a road trip, and filled with the kind of scenery that'll have you coming back again and again.
Falls Drive
Proof that sometimes the journey really is just as memorable as the destination. Winding its way through the Scenic Rim, Falls Drive strings together waterfalls, lookouts and short walks into one unforgettable day. Rather than committing to a single long hike, you'll hop between some of South East Queensland's most impressive natural attractions, each offering something a little different from the last.
One stop might have you standing over a waterfall watching water disappear into the valley below, while the next rewards you with panoramic views stretching across rolling farmland to distant mountain ranges. Throw in a rainforest walk, roadside oddities and plenty of excuses to keep pulling the car over, and you'll quickly realise there's no point trying to stick to a schedule.
If you're looking for variety without tackling a huge day on the trail, this is hard to beat. It's perfect for families, photographers and anyone who enjoys discovering a collection of incredible places rather than pinning all their hopes on a single destination. By the end of the day, you'll have seen waterfalls, wandered through rainforest and stood on lookouts that showcase some of the best scenery the Scenic Rim has to offer.
Coomera Gorge
Deep within Lamington National Park, the Coomera Circuit winds through towering rainforest beneath a canopy so thick it feels like the outside world has disappeared. It's a hike that rewards patience, building anticipation with every step before revealing one of the most spectacular views in the park.
The sound of falling water drifts faintly through the trees, while through gaps in the branches you catch fleeting glimpses of the empty space over the gorge. The trail teases you with just enough to keep you wondering what's waiting ahead. Then, almost before you realise you've arrived, the trail brings you to a lookout suspended high above the gorge, where waterfalls tumble into the river far below.
The rainforest alone makes the walk enjoyable, but it's that dramatic reveal at the end that stays with you long after you've headed back to the trailhead. It's an easy hike to recommend to anyone who enjoys a walk that keeps building right until the very last viewpoint.
Purling Brook Falls
One of the tallest waterfalls in Springbrook National Park and easily one of the most impressive as it plunges more than 100 metres into the rainforest below. Whether you're admiring it from the lookout above or standing at its base surrounded by towering cliffs, it's the kind of place that makes you appreciate just how powerful nature can be.
The circuit takes you through lush rainforest, across a suspension bridge and down into the gorge, where the waterfall grows larger with every step. Standing at the bottom, surrounded by ancient cliffs draped in greenery, it's hard not to feel small. The climb back out might get the legs working, but every step is worth it for the chance to experience the falls from both above and below.
If you're only planning to visit one waterfall during your South East Queensland road trip, we'd make a strong case for this one. It's the perfect mix of rainforest, spectacular scenery and just enough adventure to leave you feeling like you've earned the view. It's little wonder Purling Brook Falls is considered one of the highlights of Springbrook National Park.
Natural Bridge
Natural Bridge is one of those places that's difficult to describe until you've seen it for yourself. A short rainforest circuit takes you to a cave where a waterfall crashes through the roof and plunges into the creek in front of you.
The well-maintained circuit makes the most of every viewpoint. You'll admire the waterfall from outside the cave, stand in front of it as it crashes through the roof overhead, then finish by looking down as the creek disappears through a hole in the rock beneath your feet. Each stop offers a completely different perspective of the same remarkable place.
It's easy, family friendly, and one of those places that's every bit as impressive in person as you'd hoped. Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning years later, Natural Bridge is the sort of place that leaves a lasting impression. And if you're lucky enough to visit after dark, the glow worms add one final reason to add this hike to the "return again, and again" list.
Curtis Falls
Towering palms, ancient strangler figs and a gentle creek set the scene for one of the easiest walks in this collection. Curtis Falls might only take half an hour to complete, but it packs plenty into a surprisingly short distance.
Sunlight filters through the canopy above, dancing with the gently swaying leaves. Pademelons forage between the trees, always staying just a few leaps ahead. The sounds of birds calling and the creek babbling fill the air. The well worn trail ends all too soon at the wooden platform overlooking the falls.
While it may not be the tallest, or strongest, or loudest waterfall you’ll ever see, Curtis Falls has this quiet beauty about it — and sometimes that’s exactly what you’re looking for.
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
One of the last remaining pockets of subtropical rainforest on the Blackall Range, Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve offers a glimpse into a landscape that once covered much of South East Queensland. Towering trees, ancient vines and a rich understory create a rainforest that's every bit as impressive as the views waiting just beyond its edge.
Well-maintained boardwalks and benches make the reserve easy to explore, inviting visitors of all ages to wander. Every step feels like a quiet reminder that while the walking track may be modern, the landscape surrounding it is anything but. This towering forest once blanketed the hinterland, stretching all the way to the ancient giants of the Glass House Mountains and beyond. Together, they offer a glimpse of a South East Queensland that has almost disappeared.
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve isn't about chasing a summit or standing beneath a waterfall. It's about experiencing a rare pocket of rainforest that's been protected for generations, and appreciating a landscape that has all but disappeared. If you're looking for a walk that's as rewarding for its history as it is for its scenery, this is one stop that leaves a lasting impression.
Mount Ngungun
Rising above the surrounding bushland, Mount Ngungun places you right in the heart of the Glass House Mountains. The steady climb to the summit is over before you know it, rewarding you with uninterrupted views across one of Australia's most distinctive landscapes. From up here, you're no longer admiring the peaks from a lookout in the distance — you're standing amongst them.
The rocky summit is surprisingly spacious, giving you plenty of room to wander and soak up the views from different angles. Every direction offers something different, from the unmistakable silhouette of Mount Coonowrin to the patchwork of farmland stretching between the volcanic peaks. It's the kind of summit that invites you to linger, camera in hand, discovering another composition every few steps.
If you only have time to climb one mountain while you're exploring South East Queensland, Mount Ngungun is a great choice. Time your visit for sunset and you'll be treated to one of the region's most spectacular displays, as the sun sinks behind the Glass House Mountains and the volcanic peaks slowly fade into silhouette.
Tips and Tricks
Hiking in Queensland is a lot more enjoyable in the cooler months. During Summer, you’re competing with scorching heat and humidity.
Most trailheads will have a biosecurity station to brush and disinfect your boots before and after each hike. It may seem silly, but it can actually go a long way in preventing the spread of some pretty nasty bacteria and fungi.
