Picnic Rock - Toolona Circuit, Green Mountains
Teresa Cause
Hello wonderful Horizon Guides bushwalkers!
For those new to Horizon Guides – welcome and thank you for finding us - it will be great to meet you on a walk soon. Horizon Guides has been sharing the Scenic Rim with walkers since 2008 – we love our back yard!
The Scenic Rim is Australia’s 12th ECO Destination and Queensland’s 6th: Our beloved Scenic Rim Region is globally recognised with ECO Destination Certification. As a Green Travel Leader, Horizon Guides is proud to be a part of the Eco-Tourism network, linking us to like-minded operators around the world. It takes a great deal of commitment and hard work to achieve these lofty goals and it’s incredibly encouraging to know that so many individuals and organisations are striving to operate sustainably, educate others and thereby make our planet a better place for all life.
At Horizon Guides, our walks are all about enjoying being in nature – observing the worlds about us, marvelling and learning about the life we encounter, enjoying the views, breathing deeply and carrying some of that peace back home. They are also about learning how to bushwalk safely and managing ourselves in different conditions with small groups of like-minded souls. By hiking regularly, over time, you’ll develop a great repertoire of skills and grow in confidence for future adventures. The Scenic Rim and SE Queensland offer a tremendous variety of bushwalking challenges and is an excellent place to truly become a ‘bushwalker’!
Bookings are now open for DAY HIKES for September and October
WALK 1: Lower Bellbird Track (Binna Burra) Approx 11 km 4 -5 hrs. Moderate (includes Ballanjui Falls side track)
Tuesday 16 Sept Cost: $95 pp
Our Spring bush walk season begins at Binna Burra with one of the most interesting shorter walks that Lamington NP has to offer. Beginning near the café the trail immediately envelops walkers in dense rainforest. Along the escarpment two impressive lookouts, Koolanbilla and Yangahla, afford views to the east and across to Ships Stern ridge. Impressive forests of flooded gum, brushbox and piccabeen palms dominate as the trail winds beneath the towering cliffs. Rifle Bird and Bell Bird Creeks tumble down the richly hued cliff faces and are refreshing spots to pause and cool down. The best of these is Ballanjui Falls - a glorious place to rest, enjoy a cuppa and soak up the coolnessof forest pools. This is a return track that branches off at about the halfway point of the Bellbird Track. Our walk ends at the main Binna Burra Road. NB Acar shuffle will be sorted out prior to walking so that we enjoy a mostly downhill track.
WALK 2: An adventurous journey at Yowgurrabah ... a much-need 'cool burn' has seen us post-pone this trip until autumn 2026.
Sunday 21 September (NEW DATE TBA)
WALK 3: Mt Tamborine NP – Palm Grove Circuit(approx. 3 km) + other short walks (WitchesFalls.
Tuesday 30 September Cost: $95pp
The walks at Tamborine contain many surprises and delights! The human world is close by on these walks but the forest giants that stand in the groves and gullies here are truly wild and glorious. We have a variety of options after completing the circuit including Witches Falls and Curtis Falls. It’s well worth the drive to this popular mountain town to discover the richness of the many forests and streams
WALK 4: Toolona Circuit (LamingtonNP Green Mountains Section) Toolona Creek circuit 17.4km return Approx. 7.5/8hrs Moderate
Sunday 12 October Cost: 110pp
A glorious immersion in GREEN! The Toolona Creek circuit branches from the Box Forest Circuit near Elabana Falls, then continues beside Toolona Creek, up through a gorge, and past its headwaters to emerge on the BorderTrack near Wanungara lookout. The narrow Toolona Gorge creates a protected moist and shady refuge for many ancient flowering rainforest plants. The kingfern Todea barbara is a relict of one of the oldest fern families, Osmundaceae, evolving even before Gondwana formed.
The return trip via the Border Track passes Mount Bithongabel. Many large clumps of Antarctic beech Nothofagus moorei trees are found in the area.
WALK 5: Lower Portals(Mt Barney NP) Approx. 8km return 4-5 hrs Moderate Some rock hopping requiringbalance / agility.
Sunday 19 October Cost: $95 pp
The walk begins at the Lower Portals car park and is an easy/moderate track walk that crosses a number of ridges in Mt Barney’s foothills. With luck we may see Glossy BlackCockatoos feeding along the way. Mt Barney Creek must be crossed to access the waterhole at the end of the walk. We will also aim to climb the ridges above the Portals to a pretty wonderful viewing place to Mt Barney. If the track and pool are really busy we could head upstream and find ourselves a quieter spot to relax and swim.
WALK 6: Dave’sCreek Circuit (Lamington NP, Binna Burra Section) 12 km Approx. 5 – 6hrs Moderate.
Tuesday 21 October Cost: $95 pp
This walk is a wonderful introduction to the botanical diversity of the eastern Lamington Plateau and the geology on which it thrives. Beginning on theBorder Track the track “descends through the head of Kurraragin Valley out intoDaves Creek country. The circuit passes through several distinctive vegetation types: warm and cool subtropical rainforest along the Border Track; warm temperate rainforest, containing many examples of ancient angiosperms such as coachwood Ceratopetalum apetalum,in Nixon Creek's headwaters; and wet sclerophyll forest with giant New England ash Eucalyptus campanulata.”(NPRSR track note) Besides the vegetation, panoramic views and interesting geologic features such Molongolee Cave and Surprise Rock make this walk intriguing at every turn.
WALK 7: Paddy’s Falls Explore (Mt Barney NP) Approx 8km 5 – 6 hrs. GRADE: Moderate +
Sunday 26 October Cost: $95 pp
This off-track bushwalk southwest of Mt Maroon to Paddy’s Falls is an adventurous outing to a swimming spot. We have options for a loop walk that takes in nearby ridges and features. There are interesting cliff areas and magnificent views that you won’t see on a regular excursion into this area. NB We cross Mt Barney Creek near the trail-head at the start and finish of the walk. Note: The trip will suit bush walkers with some experience keen for a real ‘off-track’ adventure. You must be confident walking on natural terrain (no track) and rockhopping along a creek bed.
The plan will be to walk into Paddy’s area via the fire trail, head off track along a gorgeous ridge, loop back to join fire trail, visit the top of the falls, back track on the fire trail then walk up the rocky creek to base of falls (about 35 mins each way), SWIM (if you are keen!) and LUNCH then return to Drynan’s Hut via fire trail.
NB The program is SUBJECT TO CHANGE FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, including adverse weather forecasts, at the discretion of our guides.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any queries about particular walks or concerns about your ability to participate.
To reserve your walks: Send us an This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your preferred walks and attach your completed reservation form. Click on the links below to download the Reservation/Medical Consent form the T&Cs. Don’t take too long to decide as the walks generally book out very quickly (some within a few days!).
Payment for day hikes must be made 14 days prior to the walk (cash or direct payment) - a reminder will be sent by text or email.
- Price $95 - $110pp for a day hike. Refer to T&Cs for cancellation policy.
- See individual events for relevant pricing.
- Small groups: Generally a maximum of 8-10 participants + guide/s.
- Beginner bush walkers are welcome.
WHAT'S INCLUDED...
- Variety of walks and levels of challenge in the region.
- Experienced & qualified guide/s with Wilderness First Aid certification.
- Guides carry relevant emergency equipment including PLB.
- Hot cuppa at lunch + a treat
- Participant gear list appropriate to the walk.
- Interpretation appropriate to the place - flora, fauna, geology, history.
- Great fun with like-minded people.
ABOUT OUR WALKS Our day-long eco-interpreted bushwalks are open to anyone with an urge to get out and experience the magnificent Scenic Rim region – and beyond. Groups are small and walks are spaced out to allow time for recovery (and training) for the next walk. You can do as many or few walks as you wish but bear in mind that it’s a good idea to keep up regular walking in between to maintain fitness for the next hike. The hikes offer a range of challenges so read the notes carefully before reserving your place.
These are group hikes and natural history interpretation is an integral part of the guided experience, so we won't be galloping by all the interesting bits! For safety reasons you are expected to stay with the group. These are NOT fast-paced races to a destination!
No drones are allowed under any circumstances.
Come walking with Horizon Guides this season!
See you all very soon - yours in bushwalking!
Your Guides,
Teresa and Sally
PS This content has been generated from the mind and imagination of ... a human ... and not by AI. Let's keep our brains agile and creative and having fun!