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Widely known and often visited by many for good reason, this short walk blew me away due to the well kept trail network and lovely Dalrymple Creek which will require more than 2 hands to count the number of times you cross and recross the water feature.
It was the first public land area in the region that I had a 'well fuck me this is classy' epiphany while toddling along with my neck craned up gawking at the forest canopy.
Since relocating to South East Queensland I have been a tad underwhelmed by the immense amount of invasive weeds and long grasses and overgrown, neglected trails in National and State Parks.
Looking at you Scenic Rim from the Thornton trailhead.
However the Cascades Circuit really kicked that in the dick.
It's uber lush. Easy to walk. Loads of wild life and never dull. Lots of good stuff.
Main Range National Park info here.
Fuel up beforehand, this is a rural area. Bring water and food.
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| Map of Goomburra area walks sourced from Parks Qld |
GETTING TO MANNA GUM CAMPING AREA (Start of trails):
Punch in 'Manna Gums Campgrounds Directions'.
Your heading to the Goomburra region of Main Range National Park.
Approximate travel times by private vehicle:
- 80 minutes/ 100km from Toowoomba
- 135 minutes/ 175km from Brisbane
Parking is at the eastern end of road past the campsites, opposite the trail signage.
No public transport options but cycle touring would be doable.
Watch for cows and calves on the road over the last 10km. They think it's India.
Plenty of private camping options on the drive in and also within the National Park.
No charge if not camping. Camping sites booked here.
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| Map sourced from Google maps. |
Basic online mapping again via this link.
I used the digital All Trails mapping system, downloading 'Cascade Circuit and Ridge Trail' beforehand.
It states distance as 7.6km but my Suunto reckoned it was 10km all up.
I started anti clockwise up the hill and cruised around over 3.5 hours taking my time and soaking up the splendour of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area .
Trail is a bit scrubby to start. A steep plug up the hill leads to an intersection with a well kept chunk of the Scenic Rim Trail then your off to discover some waterfall features and wander along Dalrymple Creek. Tracks are signed and well maintained.
Watch for stinging trees and ticks and snakes but otherwise safe as it gets.
I would classify the walk as EASY.
WILDLIFE AND FLORA:
So many critters.
I bumped into 3 snakes including a beautiful carpet python with a big swollen mid section having a quiet drink.
The usual bush turkeys, eastern yellow robins, red necked wallabies, monitor lizards and fairy wrens abound. You'll have your ear canals pinged by the Whipbirds doing their high pitched song.
I also saw various skinks, quails, colourful parrots and yabbies. And I listened to the crazy call of the green cat bird.
The plant life is a constantly changing lineup of tall gums and hoop pines and lilies and boxwoods and dogwoods and cabbage palms. Cool eh.
