About Mapleton Forest
- Getting there and getting around
- Park features
- Camping and accommodation
- Things to do
- Things to know before you go
- Staying safe
- Looking after the park
- Park management
- Tourism information links
- Further information
Getting there and getting around
- Blackall Range visitor guide (maps included) (PDF, 954K)*
From Brisbane, travel 105km north along the Bruce Highway to Nambour, then travel 11km west to Mapleton.
To reach the Mapleton day-use area and the southern end of the Gheerulla trail bike track, turn onto Mapleton Forest Drive and travel 2km north from Mapleton.
To reach the Gheerulla camping area and trail bike area from Mapleton, continue through Mapleton on Obi Obi Road for 19km and turn right into the Eumundi — Kenilworth Road. After 5km turn right into Sam Kelly Road. The camping area is 2km down the road.
To reach the Gheerulla camping area and trail bike area from the north, take the Eumundi-Kenilworth Road turnoff from the Bruce Highway and travel 24km, turn left into Sam Kelly Road and continue 2km to the camping area.
Wheelchair accessibility
There are no wheelchair-accessible tracks or facilities in Mapleton Forest Reserve. Nearby, Mapleton Falls National Park has a wheelchair-accessible lookout with views of the waterfall and rainforest valley below.
Park features
In the Sunshine Coast hinterland, Mapleton Forest Reserve protects diverse forest types and offers a range of recreational opportunities including a scenic forest drive and a popular trail bike area.
- Read more about the nature, culture and history of the Blackall Range parks and forests.
Camping and accommodation
Camping
Mapleton Forest Reserve has one car camping area and two walkers' camps. Camping permits are required and fees apply.
Gheerulla camping area is accessible by car and offers picnic tables, toilets and barbecues. If you plan to use the barbecues, bring your own firewood, as it is illegal to collect wood from the forest. Preferably bring and use a fuel stove.
For walkers on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk, there are walkers' camps at Thilba Thalba and Ubajee in Mapleton Forest Reserve, and at Flaxton in Maleny Forest Reserve. Please see the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk for more information.
- Find out more about Gheerulla camping area.
- Book your campsite online.
- Book your Great Walk campsite online.
- If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.
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
- Blackall Range visitor guide (maps included) (PDF, 954K)*
Walking
Pilularis forest walk — 800m (Allow 20 minutes) Grade: Easy
This walk leads through tall open forest with an understorey of ferns and rainforest shrubs.
Bonyee walk — 400m (Allow 10 minutes) Grade: Easy
This track is named using local Gubbi Gubbi language for bunya. The walk features a very large bunya pine, rainforest and a piccabeen palm grove.
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
At the Mapleton day-use area, on the site of the old forest station in the headwaters of Cedar Creek, are picnic tables, toilets and barbecues. If you plan to use the barbecues provided, bring your own firewood, as it is illegal to collect wood from the forest. Preferably bring and use a fuel stove. Tall blackbutt trees (Eucalyptus pilularis) dominate the forest in this area.
Driving
The Mapleton Forest Drive starts just north of Mapleton and leads to spectacular views of the coast and hinterland from Point Glorious. Scribbly gums and grass trees grow around the lookout.
Trail bike riding
At Gheerulla trail bike area, about 26km of trail bike circuits and limited camping facilities are provided for licensed riders using registered motorcycles. A special permit is not required.
Ride responsibly
- Stay on the defined trail bike tracks.
- Observe and obey safety and advisory signs.
- Always expect to find someone or something on the track around the next corner. You may encounter other riders, wildlife, cattle and natural obstacles such as fallen trees and water-eroded tracks.
- Ride cautiously on the two-way trail sections.
- Avoid spinning your rear tyre excessively as this leads to erosion problems. Ride sensibly so this recreational facility can be available for future use.
Horse riding
Read about the proposed horse riding trail networks in the Caboolture, Bellthorpe, Kenilworth and Mapleton region.
Abseiling
At Point Glorious, abseiling enthusiasts can apply their skills on the rhyolite bluffs. Anchor points are provided near the lookout. Do not interfere with fixed equipment on the cliff or anchor to trees or the lookout platform.
For your safety when abseiling:
- Assess the site for hazards and suitability for your experience and skill level.
- Check weather conditions and wear appropriate clothing.
- Use anchor points provided. Do not interfere with fixed equipment on the cliff or anchor to trees.
- Wear a helmet, harness and footwear and use ropes and protective equipment (karabiners, slings and chocks) designed for abseiling and follow manufacturer's specifications.
- Carry emergency communication equipment and a first aid kit. Tell a responsible person where and when you plan to abseil.
- Never abseil under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Minimise vegetation disturbance to protect the area from erosion and the introduction of pest plant species.
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. 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
The forest is open 24 hours a day, but for your safety, walk and ride in daylight hours only. The QPWS Kenilworth Office is usually open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm, and the QPWS Maleny office from 7.30am to 4pm, park duties permitting.
Permits and fees
Camping permits are required and fees apply.
- Book your campsite online.
- Book your Great Walk campsite online.
- If you cannot book on line, see camping bookings for other options.
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 alerts or contact us. During severe wet weather, some tracks flood and are closed for public safety.
Local temperatures can rise above 30 degrees Celsius in summer and drop to freezing point 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 Mapleton and other nearby towns. For more information see the tourism information links below.
Staying safe
Forest roads — expect the unexpected!
Unsealed forest roads can be steep and winding.
- Slow down. Allow time to react to unexpected situations and changed conditions. You may encounter other drivers, cyclists, walkers, horse riders, cattle and wildlife.
- Be courteous. Pull over to the left to allow vehicles to pass. Do not stop in the roadway — for photography and enjoying the scenery, find a safe place to pull over or turn around.
- Watch out for corners and steep slopes. Drive carefully around corners, especially after rain. Stay on your side of the road and avoid sudden slowing. Shift down a gear when roads are steep.
- If water covers the road, check water depth and road surface before crossing.
- All road rules apply. Obey speed limits. Always wear a seat belt. Never carry passengers outside the vehicle cabin.
For more information about staying safe while visiting national parks, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.
Looking after the park
See the guidelines on caring for parks and forests for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.
Park management
Mapleton Forest Reserve is part of a network of parks and forests that protect the Blackall Range's remnant forest communities, provide essential wildlife habitat and scenic places for nature-based recreation.
See the description of Blackall Range's natural environment, culture and history for more information about the history and values of Mapleton Forest Reserve.
Tourism information links
- Montville Tourist Information Centre
- Main Street, Montville
- ph (07) 5478 5544
- Maroochy Tourism
- www.maroochytourism.com
- Cnr Melrose Pde and 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
* Requires Adobe Reader
Last updated 1 April 2010