Kondalilla Falls National Park

Kondalilla National Park is up in the cool mountains of the scenic Blackall Range in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, in the traditional lands of the Gubbi Gubbi people. Kondalilla is an Aboriginal word which means ‘rushing waters’, and describes the main feature of the park.

Kondalilla in full flow.

The entrance to the park is a beautiful rainforest walking trail that leads to the top of Kondalilla Falls.

The falls is about a kilometre from the carpark.

During early settlement of the range, widespread clearing of the tableland forests ensued and the forests around Kondalilla were heavily logged. The ring-barked trees can still be seen today along the trails.

However, some small areas were set aside for recreation and Kondalilla was the first area to be protected. It became a recreational area in 1906 and then a national park in 1945.

There are several walking tracks in Kondalilla National Park including a section of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk. The shortest walk is the 1.7km circuit which crosses Picnic Creek with its little cascades and passes through tall open eucalypt forest. The Kondalilla Falls circuit goes another 3km further, taking in both sides and the bottom of the falls for a total 4.7 km.

Looking down on Obi Obi Creek from Baroon lookout.

This is farther along the Baroon section of the Sunshine Coast Great Walk.

Lake Baroon viewed from the south on the Maleny-Montville Road (top of above picture),

and from Baroon lookout on the north (bottom of picture).

Blue-green algal bloom at the junction of Obi Obi and Skene creeks.  

Skene Creek gathers in a rock pool with its own 4m waterfall, before falling 90m into the rainforest valley below where tall open eucalypt trees mingle with rainforest tree species in the wetter soils.

Below the escarpment where soil and aspect is suitable, the subtropical rainforest thrives and riparian trees and plants line the creek.

At the bottom of Kondalilla Falls.

Down the escarpment past rock pools and viewing spots, the base of the falls is in a lush rainforest with bunya pines, piccabeen palms etc.

And downstream from Lake Baroon - Narrows lookout. Gorge (above) and falls (below).

The park is an important refuge for many diverse animals and plants (and lost plodders) but habitat clearing and loss of vegetation has threatened a number of species, some vulnerable to extinction.

Some of the locals.

On the edge of the escarpment, waterfalls cascade all year round—thundering and spectacular during the summer rainfall season, then dropping to a gentle trickle in drier winter months.

Views from Baroon Lookout.

Obi Obi Creek and Flat Rock.

Waterways are a vital part of the environment. Take your rubbish home.

Obi Obi Creek

Lake Baroon is fed by streams from private properties.

Obi Obi Creek and Lake Baroon are in the catchment of the Mary River.

There are more than 107 species of birds in Kondalilla.

And a good variety of forests and trees.

On the 20th October 2017, Kondalilla was a fully rushing falling flowing spectacle.

At the park entrance.

The pool was full and deep.

The water was wide and this guy can't cross o'er. So he jumped, or tried to.

In the rain, a eucalypt revels and reveals its bright green and smooth inner bark;

whilst a bunya pine laps up what graces the park.

At the exit, on my way back to Bli-Bli via Woombye,

I wave bye bye.