Be at one with the butterflies on this short walk at Mary Caincross picnic grounds.
Suitability
Suitable for walkers, prams and wheelchairs. It’s an easy grade.
Highlights
The Richmond Birdwing is one of Australia's largest and rarest butterflies with a wingspan of up to 16 cm in females. In the park is the birdwing butterfly vine, an important food source for developing caterpillars and attracting the butterflies. The Richmond Birdwing Butterfly Walk starts near the toilets (no need to go through the Discovery Centre). The walk leads behind the playground and to the bottom end of the field with information panels describing the lifecycle of the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly and a viewing deck in the forest.
Afterwards
Make sure do you do the Rainforest walks accessed via the Discovery Centre – but before you do check out the birdcall sound board so you can identify birds you hear while walking through.
How to get there
To the starting point: Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is perched high in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Travelling from Landsborough, turn off Landsborough-Maleny Road into Mountain View Road at Bald Knob . Head to 148 Mountain View Road (about 1.4 km along) where you’ll find a car pack, picnic grounds, a kiosk and café,as well as a natural history / interpretive centre.
To the end point: This walk returns to your starting point.
About this place
- Suitable for walking
- Drinking water available
- Barbeque on site
- Picnic table on site
- Toilets on site
- Playground on site
- Walking track grade
- Grade 1
- Flat and well formed with no steps, and no longer than 5km. Signposted the whole way, and suitable for a wheelchair with someone to help.
Graded on the Queensland Parks walking track scale. Walk with care(opens in a new tab)
- Managed by
- Sunshine Coast Council
To report damage, a hazard or another problem with the trail:
Safety
In an emergency, call 000. Always adventure safely!
- Always follow any local signage, it contains key information and conditions can change at any time.
- Use the trails with consideration for your abilities, be prepared for the adventure ahead:
- Be aware of the weather conditions, found here: Bureau of Meteorology — Queensland(opens in a new tab)
- Always wear appropriate clothing, focus on good footwear.
- Always bring more water than you think you will need.
- Be Sun Safe!
- Always let someone know where you are going that isn't going with you.
- Just getting started try this site for good useful information: Trail Hiking Australia — hike safety(opens in a new tab)
- Sunshine Coast Council does its best to keep this information current, but things change, so be aware that a trail may not be as listed here.
Listen deeply, watch attentively and tread lightly! With more than two kilometres of different walking tracks, boardwalks and viewing platforms, Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is an absolute must-do for the whole family to visit. Please click link for additional information and a detailed map of walks. https://www.weekendnotes.com/walks-mary-cairncross-scenic-reserve
A great walk! Information is interesting and it's an easy trail with fascinating vegetation and wildlife.
Nearby trails
- Walking
Mary Cairncross: Rainforest Walk
Maleny
Easy1.5 kmCircuit
4.8
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Printed from Adventure Sunshine Coast · https://adventures.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/trails/20822/mary-cairncross-birdwing-butterfly-path
Always check current conditions and closures before you set out.