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Spectacular Springtime Walks · Everyday Hiker

• 0:38
  SPEAKER_00: Hello, I am recording this episode on the first day of spring 2026.
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_00: Yay, what a wonderful time of the year it is to hike.
• 0:47
  SPEAKER_00: And I've recently taken a short break from the podcast.
• 0:51
  SPEAKER_00: So I have a lot of episodes to catch up on, but I haven't stopped hiking, and just the weekend just gone.
• 0:58
  SPEAKER_00: I hiked the glorious Warrior Circuit on the weekend with a friend, and it really inspired me to give some ideas for the best trails to get out in springtime in Southeast Queensland.
• 1:12
  SPEAKER_00: So I'm going to feature five walks today.
• 1:14
  SPEAKER_00: Some of them I have already covered in other episodes, and I will reference that.
• 1:19
  SPEAKER_00: But very obviously, I'm going to start with the Worry Circuit because it's so fresh in my memory.
• 1:25
  SPEAKER_00: And when my hiking companion and myself were walking along the clifftop, the smell of the spring wildflowers coming out to bloom was just literally intoxicating.
• 1:35
  SPEAKER_00: It was really thick in the air, and it made me think isn't spring a great time to hike.
• 1:41
  SPEAKER_00: So the Worry Circuit has been closed for a while, reopened very recently, and there's no real obstacles now to complete the 14 to 16 kilometer loop.
• 1:53
  SPEAKER_00: There are a couple of trees down that you have to shimmy under or climb over, but you can see all the hard work that's been done to get those off the trail.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_00: So Worry Circuit, as I said, up at Springbrook, Springbrook, closest, I guess, to the Gold Coast.
• 2:10
  SPEAKER_00: You can start this one either from the Taliban picnic area where there is a lot of parking, or there is some parking along Canyon Parade.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_00: If you're lucky enough to get a spot, this gets you straight onto the trail.
• 2:23
  SPEAKER_00: Now many people opt to do the worry circuit anti-clockwise, and the reason being is that you are walking down into the valley and then you're walking back up, and on the anticlockwise route, there's a lot of switchbacks, which just makes it, I guess, a bit gentler on the ascent.
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_00: It doesn't really matter, you're walking uphill pretty much for the last maybe hour of the walk to get back up onto that cliff top.
• 2:48
  SPEAKER_00: The only thing I would say is that if you like your hikes with a lot of serenity, like I do, Twin Falls is busy and popular, and it's going to get more so as the weather heats up.
• 3:02
  SPEAKER_00: So the day that we were there, even though it was still fairly early in the morning, there were lots of people around taking photos, going in for a swim, and we did have a couple of exuberant groups around, including one with a large boom box, which was great.
• 3:19
  SPEAKER_00: We were keen to get away from that area.
• 3:23
  SPEAKER_00: So doing Twin Falls early means you'd probably be a little bit less crowded.
• 3:28
  SPEAKER_00: So that would help if you're doing it.
• 3:30
  SPEAKER_00: Just look at the route, you know, to do it first rather than end up at Twin Falls because that's when it'll be busy.
• 3:37
  SPEAKER_00: Now, what makes this circuit so special is that it's absolutely dotted with waterfalls and creek crossings and magnificent views.
• 3:45
  SPEAKER_00: There are at least three waterfalls you can walk behind, and so that's what makes it great to go in spring and summer, as there's a good chance you're going to get wet just from the spray from the waterfalls.
• 3:56
  SPEAKER_00: Twin Falls is by far the most popular swimming spot on the circuit, although there are quite a few pools along the way that you could dip into, some of them you know fairly shallow, but you certainly, if it's a hot day and you want to get wet, this is the walk for you.
• 4:14
  SPEAKER_00: There's lots of reviews saying it's still muddy on the track, and that was definitely true in a few places, but we found it was quite easy to navigate around the muddy spots.
• 4:24
  SPEAKER_00: Probably what's more of an issue, and unless we get really hot weather that will dry it up, is that the rocks around the water crossings are slippery in a number of places.
• 4:35
  SPEAKER_00: In fact, trying to scramble over them to get into some of the creeks was quite tricky.
• 4:42
  SPEAKER_00: You really had to watch where you put your feet down.
• 4:45
  SPEAKER_00: So take your time, test out the surface.
• 4:47
  SPEAKER_00: I could see that it would be very easy to slip over on those rocks, and you will have to cross water something like a dozen times.
• 4:55
  SPEAKER_00: Nothing you need to get your boots off for, as you can generally rock hop over them.
• 4:59
  SPEAKER_00: But it is a feature of the walk.
• 5:02
  SPEAKER_00: And look, the waterfalls, the creeks, the water holes are just so fantastic, as are the glimpses and outright views of the Numabar Valley that you get, particularly from the clifftop, just absolutely spectacular.
• 5:16
  SPEAKER_00: Early in the morning, as we were coming down to the track, we saw pattymelons and lyre birds, there's heaps of wildlife around, heaps and heaps of birds.
• 5:26
  SPEAKER_00: We just saw so many and herd, so many all the way along.
• 5:29
  SPEAKER_00: We also met a very large python who was happily sunning himself on the trail, completely undisturbed by us as we walked around him.
• 5:39
  SPEAKER_00: Lucky for us, we maybe saw less than a dozen people on the trail once you get away from that very popular Twin Falls area and also the clifftop where the views are.
• 5:50
  SPEAKER_00: So I'd highly recommend it for a springtime hike, getting down into the Warrior Circuit and away from the more popular areas at Springbrook.
• 6:00
  SPEAKER_00: And when you're finished, if you're in luck, the sitting room cafe on Canyon Parade might still be open.
• 6:05
  SPEAKER_00: We had a great afternoon tea there, you can sit outside in the sunshine or inside if you're looking for a bit of shade.
• 6:13
  SPEAKER_00: So next up, I'll hop over to Binnaborough as it's not too far away from Springbrook, and I did do an episode on Binnaborough walks last year, but this particular walk didn't feature, and I wonder why because it just got a bit of everything.
• 6:28
  SPEAKER_00: It is definitely one of my favorites, and that is the Daves Creek circuit.
• 6:33
  SPEAKER_00: So I hugged that in late August, and already the wildflowers were coming out all along the trail.
• 6:40
  SPEAKER_00: So I'm sure as spring takes hold they are going to be everywhere if that early blooming is anything to go by.
• 6:48
  SPEAKER_00: Now Daves Creek is easy to find.
• 7:09
  SPEAKER_00: Now, this track really was muddy in places, and I think it's going to take a while to dry out because some of those puddles were a good ankle deep.
• 7:20
  SPEAKER_00: So just keep that in mind.
• 7:22
  SPEAKER_00: It's one to wear you know boots or shoes that are either waterproof or you have it to get a bit muddy.
• 7:29
  SPEAKER_00: And in some of the deeper pond pools on the track, they've actually put trees down, so tree branches down so that you can sort of balance your way along them to get across the muddiest parts, and you'll it's a good idea to have your hiking poles with you to help with that.
• 7:49
  SPEAKER_00: Honestly, I thought it was all part of the fun, and no mud really got up my pants or you know, into my shoes or anything like that.
• 7:56
  SPEAKER_00: So you just roll with it, but it probably will still be muddy for a while.
• 8:01
  SPEAKER_00: The trade-off is completely worth the terrain and habitat on Dave's Creek Circuit is just so varied.
• 8:08
  SPEAKER_00: You know, the strands of Arctic beach, banks here trees, grass trees, eucalypts, and rainforest, you've got it all.
• 8:15
  SPEAKER_00: There's also a cave to go and visit as a side detour, and of course, there is Surprise Rock, which is really no great trouble to scramble up to the top because there are some fantastic views up there.
• 8:28
  SPEAKER_00: There's also several other opportunities for amazing outlooks over Numambar Valley, and of course, there's creeks to walk alongside and hop across.
• 8:37
  SPEAKER_00: Now, Dave's Creek Circuit is a similar distance, maybe a little bit shorter than the Warrior Circuit, it's about 12 to 14 kilometers, depending on which way you go, and will take about three to four hours to complete.
• 8:49
  SPEAKER_00: There is some elevation to get back to the border track, but it wasn't hard, it's and it's fairly graded as a moderate track, a very enjoyable morning or afternoon, whichever one you choose to do it on.
• 9:03
  SPEAKER_00: But take your time because, like I said, there's heaps of wildlife, and people have even been sighting dingos early in the morning up on that border track, so um, and live birds obviously nesting at this time of year.
• 9:15
  SPEAKER_00: When you get back to Binnaborough, the cafe is such a great place to stop.
• 9:20
  SPEAKER_00: Um, Devonshire teas, milkshakes, burgers, cold beer, everything, and if it's still cool, um they've got the roaring fire going.
• 9:28
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, so let's head back closer to Brisbane.
• 9:31
  SPEAKER_00: The first walk is the closest one to the city and easily accessible by public transport, and that is an aura reservoir.
• 9:39
  SPEAKER_00: I did feature it last year in an episode called Five Fantastic Day Hikes in Brisbane.
• 9:44
  SPEAKER_00: So I won't go over all the details.
• 9:47
  SPEAKER_00: If you'd like to know more, have a listen.
• 9:49
  SPEAKER_00: However, just a recap on what you need to know.
• 9:53
  SPEAKER_00: Firstly, you access this walk by heading out of town on Waterworks Road.
• 9:58
  SPEAKER_00: The main car park to get into Inaugural Reservoir is at Walkabout Creek, but the car park is small there, so it's really tough to get a park on the weekends unless you go really early.
• 10:09
  SPEAKER_00: So, my recommendation, as I said in the episode last year, is to park at the gas bus the gap bus interchange.
• 10:16
  SPEAKER_00: And if you get out of your car and you're facing the dam wall, you'd go right, and it's a pretty short walk to Walkabout Creek along sort of a paved pathway.
• 10:25
  SPEAKER_00: But if you want to do the whole circuit, which is what I would definitely suggest, then you go left and up the side of the dam wall.
• 10:33
  SPEAKER_00: The whole circuit is about 11 kilometers.
• 10:36
  SPEAKER_00: It does feature a few up and down sort of steep gravelly hills, but the rest of the walk is either around the edges of a beautiful reservoir or going a little detour inland to go across a lovely creek with a bit of rock copping.
• 10:52
  SPEAKER_00: I'm recommending it in spring as the edges of the water are bursting with wildflowers and wildlife all year round, but particularly in spring, it's one of the prettiest walks for that kind of wildlife and wildflower experience.
• 11:09
  SPEAKER_00: Now, the reason Walkabout Creek is so popular, not just for walkers, is that there's a great cafe serving meals on a large timber deck here that overlooks the reservoir.
• 11:20
  SPEAKER_00: There's also a small wildlife park on site, but the most popular attraction on a warm spring or summer day is the roped-off area for swimming in the reservoir.
• 11:31
  SPEAKER_00: You can also hire kayaks or stand-up paddle boards to get out onto the water.
• 11:36
  SPEAKER_00: So if you've only got a few hours or a half day in Brisbane, for me this would be the pick of the walks for a springtime nature hit.
• 11:44
  SPEAKER_00: Next up, I'm going to suggest the Somerset Trail in Deagula National Park.
• 11:48
  SPEAKER_00: Now, once again, I've done an episode featuring this walk.
• 11:53
  SPEAKER_00: The episode was called Best Trails in Deagula National Park or something like that.
• 11:57
  SPEAKER_00: So I won't go over all the details, but a quick overview of what you need to know.
• 12:03
  SPEAKER_00: Firstly, you get to this walk leaving the city and heading down Samford Road this time.
• 12:09
  SPEAKER_00: You go through the lovely townships of Samford and Deborah and up the windy road towards Mount Mee.
• 12:16
  SPEAKER_00: And the journey is going to take at least an hour, if not an hour and a half, from Brisbane.
• 12:20
  SPEAKER_00: So it's a longer commitment to go out to the Somerset Trail than Inaugural Reservoir, but boy, I think it's worth it.
• 12:28
  SPEAKER_00: You turn left just before Mount Mee and head towards the Gantry picnic grounds.
• 12:34
  SPEAKER_00: That drive is just beautiful in its own right.
• 12:36
  SPEAKER_00: The Somerset Trail is about 13 kilometers.
• 12:40
  SPEAKER_00: It is a circuit.
• 12:42
  SPEAKER_00: I don't think it's difficult, there's not that much elevation.
• 12:46
  SPEAKER_00: That moderate rating is more about the distance.
• 12:49
  SPEAKER_00: You can access it from the back of the picnic grounds, or as you're heading towards a short rainforest circuit, which is well signed, there's you peel off to the right, and it's hard to find the entry to the trail this way.
• 13:05
  SPEAKER_00: So you have to look out for a little sign.
• 13:07
  SPEAKER_00: If you hit the boardwalk, you've gone too far.
• 13:10
  SPEAKER_00: I like to go this way as it's a gentler ascent on the return, but also you end up at the picnic crowds, which are lovely, they're called the cantry because it's an old timber logging area.
• 13:21
  SPEAKER_00: You can stop there, there's toilets, there's fresh water, everything you know, everything you need.
• 13:27
  SPEAKER_00: Now, this walk is known once again for its varied vegetation, and you will see heaps of wildflowers in the spring.
• 13:35
  SPEAKER_00: They're probably already out.
• 13:36
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and at the halfway point, there are a series of rocky outcrops to stop for a break and enjoy the most scenic views across that whole Deagula forested valley area, and you look straight across to Somerset and Wyvernhoe Dams.
• 13:52
  SPEAKER_00: So, this is just an absolute highlight getting to this view.
• 13:56
  SPEAKER_00: For my money, it's the best views in Deagula National Park.
• 14:00
  SPEAKER_00: Now, heading back to Mount Me, you'll be spoilt for choice on where to stop.
• 14:06
  SPEAKER_00: There's the iconic pit stop cafe, which you'll see as you head back down the mountain, the black and white flag, great views, heaps of car, motorbike, memorabilia, or you could stop in Deborah or Samford or both.
• 14:18
  SPEAKER_00: On the weekends, you might catch the markets, there's great little shops, local produce, both have got historic pubs, or you could even try the one kilo donut at the Kennelworth Bakery at Samford.
• 14:30
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, so next whistle stop is in a completely different direction, and that is heading to the Main Range National Park at Cunningham's Gap.
• 14:41
  SPEAKER_00: Now, many of you will probably know Mount Cordo, it's a favourite at any time of the year, a beautiful view from its peak, and a fantastic choice for a sunrise hike.
• 14:52
  SPEAKER_00: But in spring, there is a really spectacular reason to visit, and that's the spear lilies.
• 14:57
  SPEAKER_00: Now, once again, I did a whole episode on this, a short little episode last year where I spoke about Mount Cordot and Mount Mitchell.
• 15:04
  SPEAKER_00: So go back and listen to that if you'd like to know more.
• 15:08
  SPEAKER_00: But the basics are you head out to Brisbane to the west through the town of Aratula, it's about a 15-minute drive from here to get to the car park.
• 15:17
  SPEAKER_00: Now, in my episode last year, that main car park was still closed.
• 15:21
  SPEAKER_00: It is now open, but I actually really liked the little extra trail from the overflow car park a little bit further along.
• 15:28
  SPEAKER_00: So don't be too disappointed if you can't get one of the spots right at the bottom of the trail because getting up to Mount Kudo itself is a pretty quick six kilometers return.
• 15:38
  SPEAKER_00: So adding a few extra kilometres from the overflow car park isn't too demanding.
• 15:43
  SPEAKER_00: So the spear lilies are giant plants with large green leaves and a huge spear-like protrusion in the middle, which when it blooms features just a riot of red flowers.
• 15:54
  SPEAKER_00: And these do look really spectacular, dotted all over Mount Cordo, but they are best viewed from the back of the mountain.
• 16:03
  SPEAKER_00: So if you take the trail heading out towards Bear Rock, you should get a much better angle there.
• 16:08
  SPEAKER_00: And pictures of the beautiful spear lilies, you'll actually see them across the trail, they're sort of draping across the trail as well.
• 16:15
  SPEAKER_00: You can keep going all the way to Bear Rock, which has a different but lovely view in its own right.
• 16:20
  SPEAKER_00: And of course, if you've got enough energy left to head across the road to Mount Mitchell, which is very different to Mount Cordo, but it's a great walk for wildlife and wildflowers.
• 16:30
  SPEAKER_00: Doing both in one day does you know it's sort of 25 to 30 kilometers.
• 16:35
  SPEAKER_00: So making it a weekend and staying out at you know Best Brook or the towns of Merrivale or Aratula is a great idea.
• 16:45
  SPEAKER_00: And on the way home, the ever popular Aratula Bakery is the place to stop for a sweet treat.
• 16:52
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, last but not least, if you want a simply amazing springtime hiking destination, then it has to be Geroen National Park.
• 17:01
  SPEAKER_00: Now, this is situated near the town of Stanthorpe, takes about two and a half hours drive from Brisbane.
• 17:08
  SPEAKER_00: So unless you like really long days, you're probably going to want to make at least a weekend of a visit here.
• 17:15
  SPEAKER_00: And I'm just about to do a feature episode on Geroin, so I won't go into all the hikes out there as there's so many, particularly if you combine it with the national parks on the New South Wales side of the border, which is so worth visiting.
• 17:30
  SPEAKER_00: There really is probably half a dozen national parks in the region, and you can camp out there.
• 17:36
  SPEAKER_00: Some of the camping spots are just spectacular, especially on the New South Wales side along the river, the river front there.
• 17:45
  SPEAKER_00: So a couple of things that work in Geroen's favour in spring.
• 17:48
  SPEAKER_00: Firstly, the weather, it will be cooler than Brisbane.
• 17:51
  SPEAKER_00: So if we get a hot spring, which unfortunately is what's predicted, it will be much more comfortable to hike in out of Geroin.
• 17:59
  SPEAKER_00: And secondly, Geroen's known for its wildflowers, and there's you know it's beautiful all year-round, but particularly beautiful with the wildflowers and so much wildlife, and of course, the amazing granite walks that sort of dot the landscape.
• 18:13
  SPEAKER_00: And thirdly, Stanthorpe and surrounding towns is the heart of local fruit food produce, including fruit and, of course, grapes and winemaking, and it's spring that'll be blooming.
• 18:24
  SPEAKER_00: So if you needed another reason, that's it.
• 18:27
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, so three quick top picks for wildflowers.
• 18:31
  SPEAKER_00: The first is the pyramid, the little trail out to the pyramid, um, should have lots of wildflowers.
• 18:37
  SPEAKER_00: This walk itself is short, sharp, and spectacular.
• 18:41
  SPEAKER_00: But you have to be comfortable with heights and exposed areas.
• 18:44
  SPEAKER_00: But I just don't think there's any other walk quite like it in southeast Queensland.
• 18:49
  SPEAKER_00: It's only four kilometres in and out, it will deliver bang for buck.
• 18:53
  SPEAKER_00: If you want a more sedate wandering, try Underget Underground Creek and Roberts at Dr.
• 18:59
  SPEAKER_00: Roberts Waterhole.
• 19:01
  SPEAKER_00: Both will have lots of wildflowers and wildlife.
• 19:04
  SPEAKER_00: Um, really pretty rock hopping, but you know, sort of more like um flat boulder hopping across the creek areas.
• 19:13
  SPEAKER_00: Watch out for kangaroos.
• 19:15
  SPEAKER_00: Um, that is not a huge long walk again, but a really lovely one to meander through the area and check out those wildflowers.
• 19:24
  SPEAKER_00: And lastly, Bear Rock Circuit.
• 19:26
  SPEAKER_00: This is spectacular, the second largest single rock to Uluru in the Southern Hemisphere.
• 19:32
  SPEAKER_00: Offers amazing views at the top, it will be alive with wildflowers, particularly if you take the meandering track up to the summit, which is a gorgeous track with some you know big balanced granite rocks.
• 19:46
  SPEAKER_00: Um it's tempting and you probably might still go straight up the rock face, it's the quickest way to get to the top.
• 19:53
  SPEAKER_00: Um, but you can do that and then come back down the meandering track if you really want to see the wildflowers.
• 19:59
  SPEAKER_00: So keep an eye out for the full Geroine episode.
• 20:03
  SPEAKER_00: I wanted to include it now though, because if you're planning on a weekend or longer, it takes some time to start planning book camp sites, cabins, whatever it may be.
• 20:12
  SPEAKER_00: So I thought we'll put it in now so you can put it on your radar, and then I can give you the details in the full episode.
• 20:19
  SPEAKER_00: So that's it for my recommendations of fabulous places to get outside.
• 20:24
  SPEAKER_00: Enjoy spring, enjoy hiking in Southeast Queensland.
• 20:28
  SPEAKER_00: Of course, there's many more, I've got plenty of other episodes that you can listen to to get some ideas.
• 20:34
  SPEAKER_00: But I really hope that you get out soon, the weather stays perfect, and you enjoy some happy hiking.
• 20:42
  SPEAKER_00: So, until next time, I'll see you then.
• 20:44
  SPEAKER_00: Bye.