Kondalilla National Park
Getting there and getting around
From Brisbane, travel 54km north along the Bruce Highway, then follow the scenic Glass House Mountains Road 22km north to the Landsborough turnoff. Drive a further 20km to Montville and travel 4km north of the town. The park is signposted on the left.
From the north, travel to Nambour, then head 15km west to Mapleton. Continue 10km towards Montville to the park turnoff on the right.
Wheelchair accessibility
There are no wheelchair-accessible tracks or facilities in Kondalilla National Park due to steep terrain. Nearby, Mapleton Falls National Park has a wheelchair accessible lookout with views of the waterfall and rainforest valley below.
Park features
Just behind the Sunshine Coast, in the scenic Blackall Range, Kondalilla National Park is a cool mountain retreat . The park is named after the spectacular Kondalilla Falls, where Skene Creek drops 90m into a rainforest valley. Kondalilla Falls got its name from an Aboriginal word meaning “rushing waters”, a good description of this waterfall during the summer wet season.
Above the falls, tall open eucalypt forest mingles with rainforest species in wetter areas. A drier forest grows on the western escarpment, featuring casuarinas with a grass tree understorey. Subtropical rainforest grows below the escarpment, where soil and aspect is suitable, and riparian rainforest lines the creek.
Surrounded by farms and towns, this park is an important refuge for many animals and plants including the rare pouched frog, Assa darlingtoni and the bopple nut, Macadamia ternifolia, which is vulnerable to extinction. More than 107 species of birds have been seen in the park, and 70 species of reptiles and 32 species of frogs have been recorded from the Blackall Range and nearby Conondale Range.
- Read more about the nature, culture and history of the Blackall Range parks and forests
Camping and accommodation
Camping
To protect the natural values of this park, camping is not permitted. Kenilworth State Forest provides forest camping opportunities in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
Other accommodation
There is a wide range of holiday accommodation in and around Montville, Mapleton, Maleny and other towns in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. For more information see the tourism information links below.
Things to do
Walking
Walking tracks help you to explore a variety of forest types from rainforest to tall open forest. Choose walks that suit your fitness level and allow enough time to complete your walk in daylight. Wear sturdy shoes and protect yourself from the sun and biting insects with protective clothing, sunscreen and insect repellent. Carry water and a snack.
Key to track standards
Class 2 track (Australian Standards)
- Easy level track, suitable for all fitness levels.
Class 3 track (Australian Standards)
- Gently sloping, well-defined track with slight inclines or few steps.
- Caution needed on decomposed granite and exposed natural lookouts.
- Reasonable level of fitness and ankle-supporting footwear required.
Picnic Creek circuit — 2.4km (Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour) Class 2
This easy, relatively flat walk crosses Picnic Creek (400m from start), passes through tall eucalypt forest with patches of wet sclerophyll forest – a mix of eucalypt and rainforest species. Enjoy views over the valley from a lookout point.
Rock Pools walk — 3.2km return (Allow 1 hour) Class 3
The walk follows Picnic Creek circuit and a track that links the circuit with the Kondalilla Falls circuit. The rock pools are a feature above the waterfall on Skene Creek. View the rainforest valley below. Look for emergent bunya pines with their distinctive symmetrical dome shapes, dense stands of piccabeen palms and intriguing shapes of pink ash, Alphitonia petriei. The walk back up the hill includes over 100 stairs and requires a reasonable fitness level.
Kondalilla Falls circuit — 4.6km ( Allow 1.5–2 hours) Class 3
This track follows the Rock Pools walk to the top of Kondalilla Falls and then continues past the lookout, winding down through the rainforest to the base of the waterfall. Take the opportunity this track provides to explore the valley's features.
Wet weather track closures
Walking tracks are closed during severe wet weather due to flooding of the tracks. For your safety, do not enter the park when closure signs are displayed.
If you are caught out on the tracks when creek crossings flood, do not attempt to cross them. Wait until the water no longer covers the track.
Water rises and falls in a short period of time. For example, in 1998 Kondalilla National Park was closed when 50mm of rain fell in 15 minutes! Water rose rapidly, transforming the cascading creek into a fast-flowing, turbulent water mass. Bridges and creek crossings were cut by floodwaters and conditions were extremely dangerous. Within hours the water had dropped and the tracks were re-opened.
Danger: A number of people have died or been permanently paralysed after slipping over waterfalls at Kondalilla and nearby parks. Stay behind fences and follow all warning signs.
Other short walks
There are other short walking tracks nearby in Mapleton Falls National Park, Delicia Road Conservation Park and Mapleton Forest Reserve.
Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk
Experience the subtropical beauty of the Sunshine Coast hinterland on this 58km Great Walk through the spectacular Blackall Range. Take a half-day stroll, a full day walk or stay for overnight adventures.
- Read more about the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
Picnic and day use areas
A 50m downhill walk with steps leads from the carpark to a large grassed picnic area. There are toilets, picnic tables, barbecues and a shelter shed. The walking tracks start from the picnic area.
There are also picnic areas and facilities at nearby Mapleton Falls National Park, Mapleton Forest Reserve and Lake Baroon.
Viewing wildlife
Birdwatching and nature photography are popular activities here. See the description of the Blackall Ranges' nature, culture and history for more details about Kondalilla's wildlife.
Things to know before you go
Essentials to bring
- Bring insect repellent to discourage mosquitoes, leeches and ticks.
- Bring your own drinking water – this is not provided in the park. Creek water is unsuitable for drinking as it may contain organisms that can cause illness.
- Wear sturdy shoes, a hat, protective clothing and sunscreen.
- No bins are provided. Bring rubbish bags to remove your rubbish and recyclables from the park.
Opening hours
For your safety, walk in Kondalilla National Park in daylight hours only.
Permits and fees
Permits may be required for commercial or organised activities. Contact the park office for further information.
Pets
Domestic animals are not permitted in Kondalilla National Park.
Climate and weather
Always check weather conditions before your visit. Be aware that forest areas are hazardous during strong winds, as tree branches may fall. After high rainfall, which occurs mostly in spring and summer, check park conditions with the QPWS Maleny office. During severe wet weather, some walking tracks flood and are closed for public safety.
Local temperatures can rise above 30º in summer and drop to 0º overnight in winter. Nights can be cool at any time of the year. For more information see the tourism information links below.
Fuel and supplies
Fuel and supplies are available in Montville, Mapleton and Maleny. For more information see the tourism information links below.
Staying safe
- Stay on track. Stay on track. Remain behind barriers at lookouts and waterfalls. For longer walks, tell a responsible person where you are going and when you expect to return. Plan to complete your walk in daylight hours.
- Supervise children. Natural areas have hazards that children are unfamiliar with including creeks, cliff edges and wildlife.
- Take care near water. Rock surfaces can be slippery. Never dive or jump into creeks or rock pools as they can be shallow or have submerged objects.
- Carry a first aid kit. Apply insect repellent to exposed skin and shoes to discourage mosquitoes, leeches and ticks.
- Carry fresh water. Drinking water is not provided. Creek water is unsuitable for drinking as it may contain organisms that can cause illness.
- Take care with fire. Bring your own firewood, use constructed fireplaces and make sure the fire is out before you leave. Never gather wood from the bush. Preferably bring a fuel stove.
- Never feed native animals. Feeding wildlife upsets the balance of nature and can make animals sick and even aggressive towards humans.
In an emergency
- Ambulance, non-urgent medical transport: 13 12 33
- Emergency: 000
- If you have difficulty connecting to 000 from your mobile phone: 112
Mobile phone coverage is not reliable in the park, but it is usually possible to make calls from the carpark.
For more information about staying safe while visiting national parks, please read the guidelines Safety in parks and forests.
Looking after the park
All plants, animals and features of the forest environment are protected.
- Do not remove plants (living or dead), rocks or other materials.
- Never feed native animals. Feeding wildlife upsets the balance of nature and can make animals sick and even aggressive towards humans.
- Protect streams from pollution – many animals that are sensitive to changes in water quality live there.
- Stay on designated tracks. Shortcutting is dangerous and causes erosion.
- Take care with fires. Bring your own firewood. Only light fires where fireplaces are provided and never gather wood from the bush. Preferably bring a fuel stove.
- Take rubbish away with you for appropriate disposal.
See Caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.
Park management
Kondalilla Falls was protected in 1906 as a recreational area and 73 hectares received national park status in 1945. Kondalilla National Park (327ha) was linked to Obi Obi National Park in 1988.
A Management Plan for Kondalilla National Park, completed in 1998, guides the management of this area. Contact the park office to view or obtain a copy of the plan.
See the description of Blackall Ranges' nature, culture and history for more information about the history and values of Kondalilla National Park.
Tourism information links
- Montville Tourist Information Centre
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- Main Street, Montville
- ph (07) 5478 5544
- Maroochy Tourism
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- www.maroochytourism.com
- Cnr Melrose Pde; Sixth Ave, Cotton Tree QLD 4558
- ph (07) 5479 1566 or 1800 882 032
- fax (07) 5479 1761
- email admin@maroochytourism.com
For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au.
Further information
- Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Maleny
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- 61 Bunya St, Maleny Qld 4552
- ph (07) 5494 3983
- fax (07) 5494 3986
- Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Sunshine Coast
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- 29 The Esplanade, Cotton Tree Qld 4558
- ph (07) 5459 6110
- fax (07) 5443 8942
- EPA Customer Service Centre
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- 160 Ann Street, Brisbane
- PO Box 15155, City East QLD 4002
- ph (07) 3227 8185
- fax (07) 3227 8749
- email csc@epa.qld.gov.au
Last updated: 22 January 2007
