Kondalilla National Park

Kondalilla National Park is one of the most spectacular parks on the Sunshine Coast that is popular for picnics, day trips and scenic tours.

The magnificent Kondalilla National Park is located on the Blackall Ranges and boasts a beautiful setting with verdant forest, adjacent mountain ranges and many scenic spots. Its name refers to an Aboriginal word for rushing waters, the park’s main highlight, which is best visited during the summer wet season.

The park is named after the spectacular Kondalilla Falls, where you will see Skene Creek drop 90 metres into the rainforest valley below. The waterfall is at its best during the summer wet season, and you can view the falls from the base throughout the year.

It provides a habitat for many endangered flora and fauna species, including the rare Pouched Frog and the Bopple Nut, as well as over 100 species of birds. The waterfalls, which are 90 metres high, are the perfect place to park yourself for a bit of picnic and a swim, especially on warm days.

To get to the falls within the Kondalilla National Park, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit is recommended. It’s a scenic 2-hour walk that takes you to the escarpment of the vibrantly lush green valley, beginning at the car park. Afterwards, you will see a grassy picnic area equipped with picnic tables, BBQ pits, and toilets from where you can sit down to enjoy a meal.

Several walking tracks are located within the park, including the Picnic Creek circuit, a 1.7km walk that takes approximately 1 hour to complete. This is an easy walk that passes through tall eucalypts and over Picnic Creek up to a lookout. A more challenging track is the Kondalilla Falls circuit, a 4.7km walk that takes between 2-3 hours with over 100 steps down to the base of the falls. A moderate level of fitness is required.

You’ll also need to get back up the ridge, requiring a 300-stair climb. Be sure that you are of the right fitness level to enjoy this trek, and allow yourself a good time to finish it. The walk can be rather steep, so bring along comfortable walking shoes and plan your trip to finish it with enough daylight.

Camping is only permitted within the park at a bush camp known as Flaxton Walkers. This campsite is commonly used by walkers who are completing the 58km Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk.

Kondalilla National Park is a truly unique attraction that shouldn’t be missed in the summer months.