TEMPORARY CLOSURE - Kawana Forest: River Trail

Highlights

Kawana Forest is a large conservation reserve on the western side of Kawana Way. The extensive elevated walkway meanders by a bend in the river before it shares an unsealed road and passing through a more open area. This way is eventually stopped by a fence and gate. At this point the track veers to the left and follows the fence line on the right and arriving at the Kawana Forest suburb a few hundred metres later. This grassy part of the walk can be boggy in places, but certainly not insurmountable – walk on the grass at the very edge.

If you walk or cycle quietly and don’t startle the birdlife you may sit Royal Spoonbills, purple Swamphens and Great Egrets. You could also come across skinks and lizards, butterflies and dragonflies as well as a variety of small crabs including the red-fingered marsh crab (mostly green with red pincers).

At this end of the walk, you can turn left on the path to join the Kawana Forest Nature Walk before returning by the same route.

How to get there

To the starting point. From Kawana Way turn into Premier Circuit and then turn left. Follow the circuit around and take the first left (Milieu Pl) - this brings you to the Kawana Football Club and the Information Board regarding the walk is clearly visible. The path starts to the right of the information. Oh yes, don’t forget the insect repellent!

To the end point: The end point is the same as your starting point.

About this place

Suitable for walking
Suitable for recreational cycling

Walking track grade: Grade 2; A formed track with gentle hills and the occasional step. Clearly signposted, and no walking experience needed.

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

Hazards on this trail

mosquitoes

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.

5 ratings

Garry7 years ago

Found the start easy enough and enjoyed the raised walkway through the wetlands and paperbark forest listening to the birds and frogs, accompanied occasionally by butterflies. The track turns to gravel and deviates from the original track which is overgrown and under water in places. Had to walk for a distance and found myself on Kawana Forest Nature Walk luckily as no signage to help. Still, really enjoyed the experience.

Vic7 years ago

Easy to find start of trail. Causeway nice but very bumpy. Better for mountain bikes than racers! Path petered out after causeway and I found myself riding through Farmer Brown's paddock- multitudinous large steers which stampeded when I came near. Large Red belly black snake scuttled off as I stopped for a photo op. Last K to the farmer's house was through cow pats and boggy mire as I sank shin deep and wondered if I was going to lose my shoes. Finally made my back to the road. The council is constructing a new entrance point in Kawana Forest which is scheduled to open by the end of April but as a result of the rain over the last few weeks might be significantly delayed. Pity, the track I took is definitely one to write home about!