Maroochy River Conservation Park walk
A 2.5 km walk through the marvellous Maroochy River conservation park from Twin Waters to Mudjimba Beach.
SUITABLILITY
Suitable for all ages, including older walkers.
Highlights
Leave the noise of the traffic behind and enjoy the melodies of the Eucalypt forest birds, as you take this shady alternative walk to Mudjimba Beach from Novotel Twin Waters Resort.
Enjoy the light that gently filters through the open canopy to the bracken ferns below. There are also many opportunities to photograph the abundant birdlife in the park.
A track winds through the woods with an alternative smaller Platycerium Circuit, that loops back to the main track and continues over timber boardwalks in the swampy sections of the trail. The entire path is flat but narrow in places with some fallen timbers to traverse.
There is a section of track that can become very boggy and impassable after decent rainfall, located approximately 120m from the exit on the Mudjimba Beach side of the park, but if your car is parked back on the Twin Waters side, the walk to this point is still worth the effort.
For a change of scenery on your way back to the car, take the cleared road that follows the creek. This path can be accessed easily from the Mudjimba side of the park and is less boggy. If you’re lucky, you may see some canoeist paddling along the canal at high tide. The exit from this point is a little further along Ocean Road where the canal stops at the roadside.
Be sure to take the mosquito repellent.
Afterwards
Mudjimba Esplanade, with its shops and playground is only 30m from the exit point on Cottonwood Street for refreshments, amenities, and a dip in the ocean. Twin Waters Village or the Novotel Resort also have coffee shops and restaurants.
How to get there
To the starting point: The trail starts directly off Ocean Road opposite Novotel Twin Waters Resort. Limited parking is available at the side of the road. Alternatively, you can park at Mudjimba Beach Esplanade and head down Cottonwood Street. Access to the trail is clearly marked.
To the end point: The end point is the same as the starting point.
Accessibility guide
An unsealed natural bush trail of firm sand and fallen leaves with regular tree roots across it. The Ocean Street entrance is roadside with no accessible bays, a slope and a gravel surface; starting from the Cottonwood Street entrance, 200m from Power Park's accessible parking and toilets, is easier going. Soft sand and dense trees on the outer trails made the first bridge hard to reach.
Please be aware that the Ocean Street entrance is a roadside entry and does not offer designated disability accessible parking bays. However, there is unmarked parking available along the roadside. It is important to note that this entrance features a slope and a gravel surface, which may present some challenges for visitors who are using a manual wheelchair and not using assistive technology. The trail is not sealed; It is a natural bush trail of firm sand and fallen leaves and users will come across regular tree roots.
Power Park located on Mudjimba Esplanade provides accessible parking, toilets, a playground, and nearby shops. The entrance on Cottonwood Street is a short 200 metres away from Power Park, offering a more accessible starting point.
During the assessment of this trail, assistive technology was utilized. The main track posed some difficulties due to tree roots, gravel, and a slope from the roadside car park. Unfortunately, the trail from the Cottonwood Street Environment Reserve entrance was closed for repairs and could not be assessed. The outer trails also presented challenges with soft sand and dense clusters of trees, making it difficult to reach the first bridge.
As an alternative option, the shorter Platy Cerium Trail features timber boardwalks and may be accessible from the Ocean Drive entrance.
- 2.8 kilometres from Mudjimba Beach to Twin Waters.
- 1.5-kilometer Platy Cerium Trail is available within the park, featuring timber boardwalks for easy accessibility.
- A quiet trail where visitors can visit to get away from the hussle and bustle of the main tourist areas
At Power Park, Mudjimba there are:
- Toilets
- Picnic Shelters and BBQ's
- Playground
- Shops across the street
From the Sunshine Motorway take the Twin Waters exit off the Sunshine Motorway towards Mudjimba. From the Esplanade at Mudjimba follow the road to Cottonwood Street for approximately 200 metres from the intersection with Mudjimba Esplanade. Here, you will find the entrance to the Cottonwood Street Environment Reserve, which serves as an alternative entry point to the conservation park. Parking can be found at Power Park on the Esplanade.
- Continue along the Coastal Walkway to Marcoola and take advantage of the local coffee shops and beach access for swim.
Suitability
Please be aware that the Ocean Street entrance is a roadside entry and does not offer designated disability accessible parking bays. However, there is unmarked parking available along the roadside. It is important to note that this entrance features a slope and a gravel surface, which may present some challenges for visitors who are using a manual wheelchair and not using assistive technology. The trail is not sealed; It is a natural bush trail of firm sand and fallen leaves and users will come across regular tree roots.
Power Park located on Mudjimba Esplanade provides accessible parking, toilets, a playground, and nearby shops. The entrance on Cottonwood Street is a short 200 metres away from Power Park, offering a more accessible starting point.
During the assessment of this trail, assistive technology was utilized. The main track posed some difficulties due to tree roots, gravel, and a slope from the roadside car park. Unfortunately, the trail from the Cottonwood Street Environment Reserve entrance was closed for repairs and could not be assessed. The outer trails also presented challenges with soft sand and dense clusters of trees, making it difficult to reach the first bridge.
As an alternative option, the shorter Platy Cerium Trail features timber boardwalks and may be accessible from the Ocean Drive entrance.
Highlights
- 2.8 kilometres from Mudjimba Beach to Twin Waters.
- 1.5-kilometer Platy Cerium Trail is available within the park, featuring timber boardwalks for easy accessibility.
- A quiet trail where visitors can visit to get away from the hussle and bustle of the main tourist areas
Facilities and activities
At Power Park, Mudjimba there are:
- Toilets
- Picnic Shelters and BBQ's
- Playground
- Shops across the street
Getting there
From the Sunshine Motorway take the Twin Waters exit off the Sunshine Motorway towards Mudjimba. From the Esplanade at Mudjimba follow the road to Cottonwood Street for approximately 200 metres from the intersection with Mudjimba Esplanade. Here, you will find the entrance to the Cottonwood Street Environment Reserve, which serves as an alternative entry point to the conservation park. Parking can be found at Power Park on the Esplanade.
Afterwards
- Continue along the Coastal Walkway to Marcoola and take advantage of the local coffee shops and beach access for swim.
Disclaimer:
This trail accessibility review has been undertaken by Spinal Life Australia. Please note that the trails reviewed are not compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). Instead, these reviews are intended to provide additional information to assist trail users and carers in assessing the usability of each trail, including details about accessible parking, trail surfaces, and amenity facilities.
About this place
- Suitable for walking
- Walking track grade
- Grade 2
- A formed track with gentle hills and the occasional step. Clearly signposted, and no walking experience needed.
Graded on the Queensland Parks walking track scale. Walk with care(opens in a new tab)
- Managed by
- Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
To report damage, a hazard or another problem with the trail:
Safety
Hazards on this trail
Very boggy and impassable section after decent rain on Cottonwood Street, Mudjimba Beach side of the track.
Check park alerts before you go
This trail is managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Check their park alerts for closures and track conditions. Park alerts in the Sunshine Coast region(opens in a new tab)
In an emergency, call 000. Always adventure safely!
- Always follow any local signage, it contains key information and conditions can change at any time.
- Use the trails with consideration for your abilities, be prepared for the adventure ahead:
- Be aware of the weather conditions, found here: Bureau of Meteorology — Queensland(opens in a new tab)
- Always wear appropriate clothing, focus on good footwear.
- Always bring more water than you think you will need.
- Be Sun Safe!
- Always let someone know where you are going that isn't going with you.
- Just getting started try this site for good useful information: Trail Hiking Australia — hike safety(opens in a new tab)
- Sunshine Coast Council does its best to keep this information current, but things change, so be aware that a trail may not be as listed here.
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Printed from Adventure Sunshine Coast · https://adventure.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/trails/62150/maroochy-river-conservation-park-walk
Always check current conditions and closures before you set out.