Gheerulla Falls circuit is a beautiful, diverse bushwalk located in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. A wonderful way to spend a day in nature.
Quick Info
Location: Delicia Rd, Gheerulla QLD 4574
Walking Distance: 20km
Elevation: 350m
Time: 6-8 hours
Difficulty: Medium – distance, elevation, navigation
Cost/Permit: Nil for bushwalking, cost and permit required if camping
Opening Times: Some tracks closed occasionally for maintenance
Facilities: Pit toilets at Thilba Thalba Walkers camp ground, and Gheerulla camp ground, on street parking along Delicia Rd.
What to Take: 2L water per person (Staminade or similar would be even better), snacks, topographical map, personal locator beacon, hat, sunscreen, camera, GPS app such as All Trails
Map:
Gheerulla Falls circuit could be started in a number of places. Access points to the circuit include: Delicia Rd near Thilba Thalba Walkers camp, Delicia Rd near Gheerulla Falls, or from Sam Kelly Rd and the Gheerulla camping area. My journey started from Delicia Rd near the Thilba Thalba Walkers camp ground and the circuit was travelled clockwise. As someone who doesn’t walk very fast, I chose this starting place knowing the last 5km could be walked along Delicia Rd if I ran out of daylight.
Thilba Thalba Walkers camp ground is only 200m from Delicia Rd. There is a pit toilet and non potable water, about a dozen dedicated camping spots all with an elevated wooden platform, and sensational views from the picnic area. Permits are required for camping.
So many different types of bush are traversed throughout the circuit. The dusty open bush reminded me of Mt Edwards, the large rocks and cliffs had a Springbrook feel to them, the zig-zag track and surrounding vegetation was like Mt Ngungun, and the section of the track parallel to Gheerulla Creek made me think of the Joalah Section on Tamborine Mountain. All of these aspects added interest to the experience, and for me, gave it a nostalgic appeal.
Nearly a dozen creek crossings are part of the circuit. If starting from Gheerulla camping area, the creek needs to be crossed to join the circuit. The only way I could see to do this and remain dry, was to cross on a fallen tree trunk. Man-made paths have been constructed over a few of the crossings, others can be rock hopped. The creek areas are lovely, ideal for impromptu picnics.
Gheerulla Falls themselves are a little anti-climatic. Lovely, just not spectacular. In summer, it might be tempting to take a dip, but in June, the oily looking film on the surface, combined the the chilly day, kept me on dry land. The falls require a 100m deviation to the main circuit.
The final 5km is mostly parallel to Delicia Rd. This was the only section that had been noticeably overrun with weed. Gheerulla Valley viewpoint is worth the small detour with beautiful views of Mapleton National Park.
