YOUR FAMILY’S GUIDE TO EXPLORING OUR NATIONAL PARKS

SOUTH EAST

Featuring 78 walks ideal for children Contents A BUSH ADVENTURE A bush adventure with children ...... 1 Planning tips 2 WITH CHILDREN As you walk ...... 4 Sometimes wonderful … As you stop and play ...... 6 look what can we As you rest, eat and contemplate ...... 8 This is I found! come again? Great short walks for family outings 10 awesome!

Sometimes more of a challenge …

I'm tired/ i need are we hungry/bored the toilet nearly there?

Whether the idea of taking your children out into nature fills you with a sense of excited anticipation or nervous dread, one thing is certain – today, more than ever, we are well aware of the benefits of childhood contact with nature: 1. Positive mental health outcomes; 2. Physical health benefits; 3. Enhanced intellectual development; and 4. A stronger sense of concern and care for the environment in later life. Planet Ark – Planting Trees: Just What the Doctor Ordered Above all, it can be fun! But let’s remember … Please don’t let your expectations of what should “If getting our kids out happen as you embark on a bush adventure into nature is a search for prevent you from truly experiencing and perfection, or is one more enjoying what does happen. Simply setting chore, then the belief in the intention to connect your children to a perfection and the chore natural place and discover it alongside defeats the joy.” 2nd Edition - 2017 them is enough. We invite you to enjoy Produced & published by the National Parks Association of Queensland Inc. Richard Louv – Last Child in the each moment of your experience however it Original content developed by the Pullenvale Environment Education Centre Woods: Saving our Children from unfolds, and hope the following tips, ideas and Nature-Deficit Disorder Copyright © 2017 National Parks Association of Queensland Inc, Education Queensland & respective photographers activities help you along the way. 1 PLANNING TIPS

1. Be prepared! 2. Lead by example! 3. Get smart with your Involve your children in planning – Be genuinely engaged and enthusiastic, smart phone! this is a shared adventure. it’s contagious! On your walk try to: Be clear with your ‘Bush Explorers’ We recommend that you… • Discover with fresh eyes; that on this adventure your phone Choose your walk wisely may be used as an Explorer’s tool • Invite curiosity through your words to: Check the last pages of this booklet and actions; for locations, lengths and highlights Navigate – you could use your GPS • Share your knowledge if it’s or download a compass app; of walks suitable for children. Match requested; and descriptions and distances with your Capture memories – through children’s needs and interests. It’s • Remember, on this adventure you are photographs, video or audio important they have a clear idea of not a tour guide or a teacher, but a recordings. Be prepared to allow where and why you are going and how fellow explorer! your ‘Bush Explorers’ to use your long your walk might take. Also visit phone (or camera) responsibly if www.npsr.qld.gov.au/parks for up-to- they wish. date park alerts and more information Phones and cameras help us to take on the various tracks. Remember to stay only memories from our beautiful on marked tracks. natural environments. Leave our Pack a backpack national parks just as you found Children are born passionately them so that others can best enjoy Include water bottles, sunscreen, insect eager to make as much sense them after you. We recommend you use the repellent, a basic first aid kit, snacks as they can of things around ideas and activities on the and any materials essential for genuine You can also make the choice to them. If we attempt to control, following pages as needed. ‘Bush Explorers’ e.g. a map, magnifying pack the phone away and enjoy a manipulate, or divert this glass, compass, pen and paper or other nature day without technology! Some days you may need many process... the independent of them, other days you may art materials. scientist in the child disappears. Of course, your phone is also an need none. Dress appropriately John Holt, author important safety device. In an emergency situation, dial 000. Choose protective clothing that can get dirty including long pants, closed-in walking shoes and hats.

2 3 AS YOU WALK

1. Vary your pace is to take imaginary photos. Use your even be able to photograph through ‘Faraway Tree’ or spot a home for hands to frame the perfect shot of your magnifying glass. Be prepared to a Hobbit! There will be times when you all want each beautiful or interesting discovery. crouch, bend, lie down and peer into. to walk quickly, particularly when you Use your fingers, or a notepad, to It’s all part of seeing the bush with 8. Be a genuine begin your bush adventure. However, count and then recall each of your new eyes. ‘Bush Explorer’ help your Bush Explorers slow down finds. Have fun creatively naming You can provide an example to sometimes, engage all their senses your snapshots (e.g. Grandpa Ironbark, 5. Move silently your children of exploring using and really pay attention to what is Slippery Slope, Termite Town). At the Bush exploring can be very noisy, but your senses, your mind and your happening around them. end of your walk or back at home switch off your voices and you will imagination: 2. Select a walking stick create an original map of your journey find your senses become ‘hyper-alert’ to include these landmarks. You might like those of a bush creature. Agree on I wonder We have noticed children love carrying even add real photos! a length of time or set distance and why... sticks in the bush, so let’s go with it… then try a ‘silent walk’ during which carefully! Sticks can be wonderful you may only communicate without what if... walking aids for tired legs. Assist your did you using words. Imagine the new things child to carefully choose the stick that is hear... you might discover! right for them and listen as they explain what do you their choice. It is important that even 6. Find a bush seat think about... sticks with super powers are used wisely I love the – ensure your Bush Explorer knows their It’s fun to find good sitting spots as way... you walk and it can provide a much I feel... stick cannot be used for whacking the look at bush or harming anyone. needed moment of rest. Stop to try out each bush seat and don’t forget to that... 3. Gather ‘handy’ imaginary take a photograph! this snapshots looks like... this reminds 7. Find your favourite me of... One way of tuning in to the bush and 4. Take extraordinary stories encouraging children to keep walking i like it real photographs Engage the imaginations of your Bush when... Ban boring photographs and get Explorers and spur them on by linking creative with composition! Try their experiences to their favourite photographing up the trunk of a stories or movies. Find a leaf that And if you just can’t resist sharing tree or through a hole in a leaf, and reminds you of Nemo and swim him your knowledge, stop to ask first ‘Do experiment with close-ups. You may through the forest, locate the perfect you want to know about this?’

4 5 AS YOU STOP AND PLAY

1. Take a moment 6. Listen with your fingers Remember, this is about the journey Encourage your Bush Explorers to really and not the destination. Follow your tune their ears into the sounds of the child’s lead and take the time to stop forest by holding a listening challenge. and explore each new spot as your Stand together and count on your walk unfolds. fingers how many sounds, both near and far away, you hear in one minute. 2. See yourself in a tree 7. Discover natural treasures Just like people, each tree is unique. Can you find a tree that reminds you of Begin by deciding what qualifies as yourself? Play ‘See that tree? It’s a bit a treasure and agreeing to leave all like me!’ with your Bush Explorers and treasures where they are found, then… ask them to explain their choices. find natural objects to match each colour of the rainbow or each letter of That tree looks like it’s reaching up to its the alphabet, spot a brightly coloured parents for a hug. web after that branch fell down and 5. Scrunch and sniff object such as a leaf and search for That tree is old and wrinkly, but it’s still crashed through it.” What might these other natural objects of a similar standing strong and wears a smile. Can you find the one smell that would colour, play ‘I Spy’ with colours, shapes insects say about the humans exploring immediately bring this bush track to their forest? or textures, or challenge your Bush 3. Switch on your mind? Experiment with crushing and Explorers to find five new discoveries in ‘Super Eyes’ 4. Splash, sink, soak rolling fallen leaves in your hands, and five minutes. then smelling your ‘forest perfume’. See the bush through the eyes of If your adventure leads you to water, Decide which perfume you each 8. Leave your treasures its smallest inhabitants. Challenge stop to throw a small object in, listen like best. As your Bush Explorers play they will everyone to find a safe insect they can to it ‘plop’ and watch the circular find natural treasures they can’t bear zoom in on and watch quietly for a ripples. You can experiment to see to part with. Photograph the treasures whole minute (this could mean getting who can make the smallest splash or if I go to nature to be soothed and so they can be remembered, but return down on hands and knees). After a the water is flowing, hold a ‘leaf boat’ healed, and to have my senses them to the bush. Find a special place minute, share your ‘insect adventures’ race. If it’s safe to do so, try taking put in order. to display each treasure, so others e.g. “I think this ant is searching for your shoes and socks off and exploring John Burroughs, nature essayist can discover them, or leave them in a food and showing his mates where to slowly with bare feet. It’s cooling, secret, hidden spot for your next visit. go” or “this spider is repairing its broken relaxing and fun!

6 7 AS YOU REST, EAT AND CONTEMPLATE

1. Eat mindfully 3. Share stories 5. Sit silent and still Once you’ve found a This is a perfect Many ancient cultures, including place to stop and snack, opportunity to share Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander take a moment to slow stories and memories. If Peoples, practise a type of sitting that 7. Create land art down and savour the and when the moment requires complete silence and the texture and flavor of arises, tell your children engagement of all the senses. Agree on Celebrate your bush adventure by your food. Just as you about other bush a length of time for which everyone using only natural materials to build have been engaging all adventures you have will sit silent and still. Ask your children: a sculpture or make a ‘picture’. Your of your senses as you explore the bush, had, what you know about the history “I wonder what we’ll see and hear? I artwork might be realistic e.g. a forest engage them now as you sit and eat. of the place you have been exploring, wonder how we’ll feel?” Once your face or bush landscape, or abstract e.g. factual information about the flora time is up, encourage your children to a rock tower or arrangement of leaves 2. Construct ‘fruity’ bush and fauna, or fictional tales set in your share their experiences. Remember the or rocks selected and placed according creatures bush location. bush can have a very real effect on our to colour. Photograph the finished result and then leave your ephemeral If your snack includes apples, you have emotions. 4. Watch the birds art to be reclaimed by nature. the beginnings of fun bush creatures. 6. Let your hands explore Use the apple cores as the bodies and If you sit quietly, you will notice that 8. Make music find natural objects on the forest floor birds begin to fly and perch closer Given time, your Bush Explorer’s hands to build arms, legs, wings or any other and closer to your group. Watch as will naturally begin to explore the area Music, in the form of rhythms or songs, body parts the imagination desires. they hunt for food, feed their babies, around them. They might crush or grind can tell the story of your day and/ Photograph your creatures in their best bathe and sing. Observe differences leaves, sift through and sprinkle dirt, or keep everyone going as you reach camouflaged ‘’ before returning in size, shape, colour and behaviour. sort the objects they find, thread leaves the end of your walk. Keep the beat the found materials to the forest. Don’t Identify birds if you are able or enlist onto a stick, or run their hands over with bush instruments, sing a song forget to take your apple cores home the children to help remember the the bark of a tree. Engaging the sense you all know and change the words to compost! significant features of each bird so of touch in this way can be peaceful to be about your bush adventure, or you can identify them once you have and calming, and is an essential part of compose a brand new song together, returned home. exploring and connecting to the bush. incorporating all your experiences.

8 9 Gold Coast GREAT WALKS FOR BURLEIGH HEAD NATIONAL PARK circuit (2.3km) – Tumgun lookout is FAMILY OUTINGS a great place to look for humpback whales in winter and spring. Oceanview walk (2.4km) – great views of Gold Here are 78 amazing short walks in Coast beaches on this rocky headland walk. national parks that are perfect for kids ... so get out there! ( SECTION) All distances are return. For directions to these parks, visit: www.npsr.qld.gov.au/parks Rainforest circuit (1.2km) – a short amble and surrounds Rainforest circuit (2km) – this is another amazing through high-altitude rainforest. circuit through beautiful subtropical rainforest. Caves circuit (5km) – great caves to explore and D’AGUILAR NATIONAL PARK Cypress Grove track (2.5km) – a short variation a chance to see (some unstable surfaces). (NORTH D’AGUILAR, MOUNT MEE SECTION) branching off the Rainforest circuit. Tullawallal circuit (5km) – visit an amazing Piccabeen walk (1km) – this circuit trail follows pocket of Antarctic beech on the summit. a boardwalk through a grove of towering Western Window track (1.2km) – this walk has piccabeen palms. great expansive views to D’Aguilar’s western Gwongoorool track (6km) – zig-zag descent escarpments. through wonderful rainforest to a pool on the Falls lookout track (1km) – an easy walk to a upper reaches of the . This is a Greenes Falls track (4.3km) – an extension of the viewing platform overlooking the northern side good walk for older kids as there are many stairs Rainforest circuit, the falls are well worth a visit of D’Aguilar Range. on this trail. after rain. Mill rainforest walk (1.4km) – a circuit track NAREE BUDJONG DJARA NATIONAL PARK LAMINGTON NATIONAL PARK through subtropical rainforest. NATIONAL PARK (NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND) (GREEN SECTION) Lophostemon walk (750m) – another great An important historical site, the actual fort is Rainforest return (1.4km) – short amble Neembeeba lookout (6 km) – a windy track circuit walk through tall open eucalypt forest open only on Sundays and well worth a visit, or through high-altitude rainforest with excellent with rainforest understory. even a guided tour! through coastal wallum to a sandy birdwatching opportunities. D’AGUILAR NATIONAL PARK ridge with scribbly gums and ocean views; NATIONAL PARK Neembeeba means ‘to see’. Centenary track (1.8km) – start by walking (SOUTH D’AGUILAR) through hoop pines then pass into subtropical Blue Lagoon (500m) – a lovely amble through Corymbia circuit (1.5km) – an easy hike through Karboora (5.2km) – a lovely walk through rainforest. heath to the dunes beside this window lake. a wet eucalypt forest gully from the Walkabout wallum with an understorey of heath Python Rock track (4.9km) – hike through Creek Visitor centre. Honeyeater Lake (60m) – a chance to see water wildflowers to Blue Lake. Karboora means ‘deep high-altitude rainforest to open forest and Araucaria track (5km) – walk beside the Enoggera birds and wildflowers at this perched lake. silent pool’. a wonderful lookout to the western parts of Lamington. Reservoir with lots of birdwatching opportunities. Cape Moreton (1.5km) – site of Queensland’s ST HELENA ISLAND NATIONAL PARK Turrbal circuit (1.7km) – a simple circuit through first lighthouse (circa 1857) and a great viewing SPRINGBROOK NATIONAL PARK platform for whales (June-November), dolphins, There are short walking tracks from the jetty to open eucalypt forest. Goomoolahra Falls lookout track (200m) – visit sharks and turtles. several historic sites that are accessible without several lookouts with breathtaking views. Golden Boulder track (1.8km) – another circuit, a tour guide. Access to the restricted areas, this one describing the area’s gold mining history. The Desert (4km) – circuit track over a large sand which includes much of the prison ruins, is by Best of All lookout (600m) – journey past dune (note that this walk has many stairs). Egernia circuit (1.5km) – an easy ramble through guided tour only. ancient Antarctic beech trees to one of the best wet eucalypt forest. Five Hills lookout (1km) – walk through low lookouts in Queensland. VENMAN BUSHLAND NATIONAL PARK Pitta circuit (1km) – a great walk through open heath to the top of a large dune for great views. Purling Brook Falls circuit (4km) – after rain, eucalypt forest and subtropical rainforest, which Mount Tempest lookout (2.5km) – a wonderful Tingalpa Creek circuit (2.5km) – ramble through one of the most majestic in South includes a huge 300-year-old strangler fig. lookout track through some amazing stunted eucalypt forest along Tingalpa Creek. East Queensland. Supervise children closely Atrax circuit (750m) – this walk passes through heath to the highest point on the island. A great near waterfalls. wet eucalypt forest with cabbage tree palms. walk for older children as there are many stairs.

10 11 Twin Falls circuit (4km) – waterfalls, bridges, rock remains of an old gold mine that was last active MAPLETON FALLS NATIONAL PARK very enjoyable walk to the top of an ancient arches, rainforest: this walk has it all! Supervise in the 1920s. Wompoo circuit (1.3km) – a short interpreted volcanic dome created 26 million years ago. children closely near waterfalls. trail through rainforest and eucalypt forest. Another great location to see wildflowers during spring. Natural Bridge circuit (1km) – an amazing Tunnel track (6km) – this flat and pleasant stroll Great views into Obi Obi from natural arched cave formation with a includes a walk through a heritage-listed railway Peregrine Lookout. from above (swimming prohibited). tunnel built in 1891. NATIONAL PARK (HEADLAND SECTION) Cascades track (1.6km) – a pleasant walk NATIONAL PARK (JOWARRA SECTION) Palm Grove circuit (1km) – a short amble through subtropical rainforest alongside Mooloolah River circuit (500m) – a great through rainforest with hoop pines and Mount Beerburrum track (1.4km) – a short but piccabeen palms. Currumbin Creek. steep walk to a fire tower which offers great rainforest walk along a crystal clear creek. views of the surrounding countryside. Melaleuca walk (1.3km) – rainforest with palm Noosa Hill track (4.8km) – an uphill walk to a groves, eucalypt forest and melaleuca swamp at highpoint in the park with views through trees Cedar Creek Falls track (lookout 500m and pools Mount Ngungun summit track (2.8km) – also a section of the river that is home to . to the ocean. 900m) – view the beautiful gorge, waterfalls and steep in sections, the views from the summit to Coastal track to Dolphin Point (2km) – a great rock pools. nearby Mount Tibrogargan, and Mount Beerwah are just introduction to coastal aspects of the park with Palm Grove circuit (2.6km) – discover large spectacular (supervise kids wonderful ocean views. stands of piccabeen palms and huge strangler closely). Alexandria Bay track (4.6km) – a sandy track figs on this walk. Mount Tibrogargan, through woodlands and heath to picturesque Jenyns circuit (4.5km) – an extension of Tibrogargan circuit (3.2km) Alexandria Bay. the Palm Grove circuit incorporating some – a walk around the forest NOOSA NATIONAL PARK ancient cycads. at the base of Mount (EMU AND PEREGIAN SECTION) Curtis Falls track (1.1km) – walk from wet Tibrogargan. Ocean track (1km) – a great short walk through eucalypt forest into rainforest for views of Mount Tibrogargan, Trachyte paperbark swamp, sedgelands, heath and she- Curtis Falls. circuit (6km) – sections oak forest to the beach. Witches Falls circuit (3.1km) – a variety of of this walk through open Emu Mountain summit walk (850m) – short vegetation communities will be seen on this woodland and heath linking ascent up Emu Mountain to wonderful views of Mount Tibrogargan and diverse walk. the coast with beautiful wildflowers along the Mount Tibberoowuccum are way during spring. MacDonald rainforest circuit (1.4km) – a short absolutely beautiful. walk featuring stands of piccabeen palms. Hakea track (1.8km) – a lovely walk where KONDALILLA NATIONAL you will see hakea shrubs. These have amazing Sunshine Coast PARK woody pods to protect the seeds inside Picnic Creek circuit (1.7km) from fire. NATIONAL PARK – beautiful track through NATIONAL PARK Bicentennial Bushwalks (3.8km) – The connected tall eucalypt forest taking in Banksia, Palm Grove and Melaleuca bushwalks a lookout with great valley Palm Grove walk (1km) – a great introduction to MOOLOOLAH RIVER NATIONAL PARK totaling 3.8km wind through varied forests, views. cabbage tree and piccabeen palm forests along (MOOLOOLAH RIVER SECTION) Wooroi Creek. and heathlands. Kondalilla Falls circuit (4.7km) – rainforest, Boronia trail (4.8km) – walk through scribbly rock pools and a trip to the base of the falls Mount Tinbeerwah lookout track (1km) – steep themselves (more than 100 stairs). gum forest onto a heath plain; spectacular in some places, this short walk takes you to a Peters Creek walk (500m) – an easy walk wildflowers during early spring. fire tower with great views of the surrounding MAPLETON NATIONAL PARK through open eucalypt forest and rainforest Aemula trail (2.6km) – wallum woodland, open countryside. to Peters Creek with its pretty rock pools and Linda Garrett circuit (700m) – great track forest and heath; again excellent during spring. cascades. through rainforest, palm grove and tall wet Disclaimer eucalypt forest dominated by large gum trees. Littoralis trail (2.2km) – open forests and Booloumba Falls walk (3km) – a chance to woodlands with scribbly gums and she-oaks. For details on any of the tracks listed, please explore Booloumba Creek, its waterfalls and Pilularis forest walk (800m) – a gentle walk refer to the appropriate national park web page rock pools and the fascinating Breadknife through tall open forest carpeted with ferns and Paperbark trail (1.7km) – short trail through casuarina and swamp paperbark forest. on the Department of National Parks, Sport and rock formation. rainforest shrubs. Racing website. All walks have potential dangers; Gold Mine walk (5.2km) – great views of Bonyee walk (400m) – this short track features a MOUNT COOLUM NATIONAL PARK supervise children closely at all times and stay Booloumba Creek through rainforest, then the massive bunya pine, rainforest and a palm grove. Mount Coolum summit (1.6km) – a steep but on marked tracks.

12 13 www.kidsinnationalparks.org.au www.facebook.com/kidsinnationalparks

Kids in National Parks is an initiative of the National Parks Association of Queensland (NPAQ), which is dedicated to promoting the preservation, expansion and good management of national parks in Queensland. Founded in 1930, NPAQ has played a pivotal role in the establishment of many national parks in Queensland. We strive to educate the community about national parks and their benefits while fostering an appreciation and enjoyment of nature.

As a not-for-profit organisation, we are reliant on your donations to continue our work protecting the unique natural spaces that Queensland’s species call home.

Make a donation or become a member today! Visit www.npaq.org.au/get-involved

National Parks Association of Queensland Inc. Unit 10/36 Finchley Street (PO Box 1040) Milton QLD 4064 07 3367 0878 www.npaq.org.au | www.connectandprotect.blog | www.facebook.com/NPAQld [email protected]

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