Sunshine Coast HInterland - Mapleton

11 - 13 November 2017

We left Ballina and started our journey home - but first there were some detours to make. We were headed for Mapleton (near Montville and Maleny) in the Sunshine Coast hinterland so we just pointed the car north and drove along the motorways and through Brisbane. We noticed the sign to  Boondall Wetlands, and as Mick had heard of it as a good birdwatching spot (he just loves a wetland or swamp) and it was near to lunch time, we turned off and drove the short distance to the education centre. We talked to a ranger and obtained a track map. Unfortunately the Boondall Wetland is in two locations and this one is not the best one for shorebirds. Bugger! This section of the wetland is accessed from the Gateway Motorway and the other section is accessed from Nudgee Road. We walked the Billai dhagun (place of the she-oaks) Circuit anyway. This 2 kilometre circuit takes walkers through a number of wetland communities including she-oak forest to a bird hide on the creek. It was a pleasant if unproductive walk and a good spot to have lunch and a break.

On northward we turned off the motorway at the Woodford exit and made our way to Maleny in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, where we headed straight to Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve. There are walking trails and an education centre, as well as picnic areas and a lookout. The place was very crowded on Saturday afternoon and we didn't stay long before heading into the famous village of Maleney for a look around and to stock up on supplies for the next few nights. From there we drove through Montville and to our accommodation at Mapleton.

The Glasshouse Mountains from Mary Cairncross.

On Sunday morning we met up with Mick's friend Diane, a local and keen bird photographer, and went back to Mary Cairncross. We  walked along the 1.7km loop walk through subtropical rainforest typical of the area. Picabeen Palms are found in the wet areas, along with more then 100 tree specimens. Although the sky was clear when we set off, the drizzling rain saw us retreat earlier than we had hoped. It was, however, a lovely way to spend a Sunday morning.

For me the highlight was seeing a Green Catbird. It was very dark in the forest.

On Monday morning we decided to spend the morning visiting a couple of spots the rain had kept us from because our next coastal destination wasn't that far away. First stop was Mapleton Falls National Park and the Mapleton Falls and Wompoo Circuit walk. The falls can be see from the lookout adjacent to the carpark and then the walk loops around with a short detour to a lookout over the Obi Obi Valley. This was an easy 1.3km walk.

A Wompoo Fruit-dove encountered on the Wompoo Circuit Walk.

Eastern Yellow Robin

Our second stop was Kondililla National Park and the Picnic Creek Circuit walk. This walk is 1.7km and rated as moderate. This walk crosses the creek at a pretty waterfall, and gives views of the creek but does not actually go to Kondalilla Falls. To see the rockpool (a popular swimming spot) and falls we had to walk part the way along the Kondalilla Falls Circuit walk, where it branches off from the Picnic Creek track. This was a quite strenuous moderate to hard rated walk, with lots of stairs, but was worth the effort to see these beautiful falls. We didn't go all the way to the falls lookouts, instead retracing our steps and continuing on the Picnic Creek Circuit. There is a large picnic area, but is quite a walk from the carpark so we headed back into Mapleton for lunch.

This pretty waterfall is close to the start of the Picnic Creek Circuit walk.

The rockpool

After lunch we set off towards the coast, and stopped in Gympie at Lake Alford Reserve for a spot of bird photography. There were lots of birds, as well as the usual turtles. This is a nice spot for a break or a picnic and looks to be well utilised. The Visitor Information Centre is adjacent.

Nesting Cattle Egret.

Lots of Cattle Egrets breeding here.

Intermediate Egret in its breeding plumage.

Hardhead or White-eyed Duck.

From Gympie we drove to Rainbow Beach for a couple of nights.