Sunshine Coast hikes and walking trails

The Sunshine Coast packs headland walks, hinterland waterfalls and volcanic peaks into one easy drive north of Brisbane. This hub lists 40 Active Quests walks from Noosa to the Glass House Mountains, the Blackall Range and Conondale. Each one has GPS checkpoints, a distance and a difficulty rating.

Best walks on the Sunshine Coast

• Noosa National Park. The signature coastal walk. QPWS lists the Coastal Walk at 10.8 km return (Grade 4, allow 4 hours) from the Noosa Headland day-use area towards Sunshine Beach, with Dolphin Point 1.2 km along a wheelchair and stroller-accessible section. Try the Noosa Headland coastal track, the Palm Grove walk or the Alexandria Bay walk.
• Kondalilla National Park. Rainforest, rock pools and Kondalilla Falls on the Blackall Range near Montville. QPWS lists the Kondalilla Falls circuit at 4.7 km (Grade 3, allow 2 to 3 hours, over 300 stairs) and the easier Picnic Creek circuit at 1.7 km (Grade 2). See Kondalilla walks.
• Glass House Mountains National Park. Volcanic peaks on the southern edge of the coast. The Mount Ngungun summit walk is 2.8 km return (Grade 4, about 2 hours), and the family-friendly Tibrogargan circuit is 4.1 km return (Grade 3). See Glass House Mountains journeys.
• Mount Coolum National Park. A short, steep climb to 208 m with views from Noosa to the Glass House Mountains. QPWS lists the Mount Coolum summit walk at 1.6 km return (Grade 4, allow about 2 hours), for fit walkers only. See Mount Coolum things to do.
• Hinterland rainforest. Gentler options include the Mary Cairncross rainforest walk at Maleny, the Buderim Forest Park falls walk and the Lake Baroon section of the 58 km Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk.

Seasons, access and safety

• When to go. Autumn to spring is the most comfortable time for summit and hinterland walks. Summers are hot and humid with storms, so start early and carry water. Humpback whales pass Noosa between June and November.
• Weather. Rock tracks on Mount Coolum and the Glass House Mountains become very slippery when wet. QPWS advises walking Mount Coolum in fine weather only.
• Summit routes. The Mount Beerwah and Mount Tibrogargan summit routes are not walking tracks. QPWS says they need rock-scrambling experience and a high level of fitness, and serious injuries and deaths have occurred.
• Safety at Noosa. QPWS advises walking with others, staying on marked tracks and walking in daylight. Beaches around Noosa National Park aren't patrolled, so swim only at patrolled beaches. Bikes aren't allowed on the park's tracks.
• Before you go. Check Queensland park alerts for closures. Dogs aren't allowed in Queensland national parks.

Planning a day out? Read our guides to Sunshine Coast hikes, Sunshine Coast waterfalls and the Kondalilla Falls circuit.