West Canungra Creek Circuit 2025 – Day Walk
Description: West Canungra Creek Circuit is a medium length walk (14km) but challenging as the track is quite rough in sections including a number of creek crossings.
Leaving O’Reilly’s, the walk follows the Border Track for a short distance before branching off to descend via Darraboola Falls through lush rainforest to West Canungra Creek and Blue Pool. Following the creek upstream, the track is rougher and less distinct with a number of crossings across water-worn boulders. At the deeper pools it is worth a stop to look for eels, fish and blue Lamington Crayfish.
After joining the Box Forest Circuit, the track passes the beautiful Box Forest Falls and Elabana Falls.
Zig zagging up from Elabana Falls, the track crosses Picnic Rock on its journey back to the Border Track past magnificent Box Trees, some of which are believed to be around 1500 years old. Once on the Border Track, the walk is mainly downhill to O’Reilly’s and Coffee.
Please register for this activity via the NPAQ website (NPAQ.org.au) completing all fields.
Grading: Intermediate – 14km with a steepish descent to Canungra Creek, rough creek crossings and a moderately graded trek back to the Border Track. A moderate degree of fitness is required.
Meeting Place & Time: O’Reilly’s Carpark at 8.00am for an 8.15am start. Allow 2 hours from South Brisbane.
Directions: Travel south along the M1 Beenleigh. Drive through Beenleigh following the road towards Beaudesert. About 4kms past Tamborine Village along the Beaudesert Road, turn left to Canungra. At the Outpost Café in Canungra, (on the left), turn right and follow the road to O’Reilly’s. There are toilets in the park opposite the Canungra Hotel if required.
The road up the range requires great care; there are many blind corners as the road snakes it way to O’Reilly’s.
What to Bring: Morning Tea, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Insect repellent (leeches), 2+ litres water, walking poles (if required), raincoat, light cardigan, torch, $5.00 NPAQ fee, sense of adventure.
Cost: $5.00 NPAQ Fee
Leader: Frank Freeman
Ph: 07 3824 3954 Mob: 0427 655 514 Email: frank_fr@bigpond.net.au
West Canungra Creek 2025 Activity Report
Under clear, blue skies, the intrepid group of four set out from O’Reilly’s to walk the West Canungra Creek Circuit, albeit a little later than planned after leisurely drive including a stop for coffee at Canungra.
Leaving the Border Track, the long, winding descent to the creek was made at a steady pace. The track was quite overgrown in places, making foot placement cautious, as did the layers of leaf litter making grip tenuous. The views and looking at tall timbers also made for steadier progress. A python was seen near Blue Pool reminding walkers of the need to be watchful for these reptiles.
Following the creek upstream, the varied nature of the many creek crossings ranged from easy to challenging. As a result, progress was slow as members worked out the best way for each individual to cross, providing help to the less agile members where necessary.
Reaching the intersection with the Box Forest Track, the group decided to ascend to the Border Track by the steeper path, avoiding further creek crossing between the intersection and Picnic Rock. A large hole in the track left by the roots of a fallen tree, provided one last obstacle for the walkers.
As O’Reilly’s café was closed, the group had to forego refreshments before heading home.