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Conondale National Park: Booloumba Creek & Strangler Cairn

Kenilworth

Walking2.6 kmIntermediateOne-wayDogs prohibited 5
2 Queensland Parks alerts for Conondale National Park
See them under Safety

See an amazing sculpture and a beautiful creek in this part of the remote Conondale Range Great Walk.

Suitability

Suitable for walkers with some experience, getting here can be a challenge sometimes.

Highlights

An intriguing art sculpture, that caused some controversy when first created, is located off the Conondale Range Great Walk about 3km from the camping and day use areas, just beyond the old goldmine.

‘Strangler’ is made from many hand-cut granite and metamorphic blocks and incorporates a specimen of the prolific Strangler Fig tree abundant in this region. Please do not climb on, damage or remove any part of the sculpture.

This is a great walk with kids and art lovers, or anyone who enjoys incredible natural surrounds. If you have to walk in from the gate before the creek crossings on Booloumba Creek road (2WD), add at least another hour each way. We recommend walking to the day use area then across the creek through campsite 3.

Visit https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/conondale/index.html for the most current Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service information about recreation opportunities, safety information and park alerts (emergent safety, development works and temporary closures).

Afterwards

There are numerous walks to be done in this area including the Artists Cascades, Mount Allan Summit and the full 56 km Conondale Range Great Walk.

After your walk you can head to into Kenilworth for a meat pie, cheese platter or some other nourishment. On the way, at Little Yabba Creek Park, is a great 1 km circuit – the Cambroon Fig Tree Walk – a magnificent rainforest that grows at the junction of Little Yabba Creek and the Mary River.

How to get there

To the starting point: Follow the M1 / Bruce Highway north, and take the Kenilworth exit. Follow the signs for Kenilworth, travelling along the Eumundi-Kenilworth Road for about 28km. Go through Kenilworth and continue toward Maleny. The turn-off to Booloumba Creek day-use and camping areas is on your right about 7.5 km, just after Little Yabba Creek Park. Follow this road for another 7 km and you will get to the Booloumba Creek Day area.

NOTE: Queensland Parks advises: All park roads are gravel and at present suitable for high clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles ONLY. Booloumba Creek Road includes three creek crossings.

Many keen walkers park their cars on the side of the road before the first creek crossing and walk in. The walk starts from the Day use area.

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

About this place

  • Suitable for walking
  • Dogs prohibited
  • Picnic table on site
  • Toilets on site
  • Camping permitted
Walking track grade
Grade 3
A formed track with some obstacles, up to 20km. Expect short steep sections and plenty of steps. Some walking experience helps.

Graded on the Queensland Parks walking track scale. Walk with care(opens in a new tab)

Managed by
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Conondale National Park(opens in a new tab)

To report damage, a hazard or another problem with the trail:

Safety

Queensland Parks alerts

Conondale National Park is managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. These are their current alerts for the park, and some may be about other parts of it. Park alerts in the Sunshine Coast region(opens in a new tab)

Mt Allan fire tower closed to climbing (update 8 Jun)
Safety Alert - Fallen trees and planned works on Conondale Range Great Walk (update 29 Sep)

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.

2 ratings
Review by Fiona7 years ago

This area is absolutely stunning! We took the Artists Cascades walk in the middle of summer and enjoyed a refreshing swim to cool down before our return. Great options for camping for groups of all sizes. Plenty of 4WD tracks to enjoy as well. The creek is an amazing colour and so refreshing in the warm months.

Review by Rhys7 years ago

This is an incredible and worthwhile walk - takes in the abandoned gold mine, Strangler Fig Cairn, and onwards Artists Falls. Some really great swimming spots along the way to cool off. Well worth the effort.