Illimbah Circuit (2021 Update)

Yes! After many years it is open again. This circuit is best done clockwise as you have the easy uphill at the end. Note all GPS apps have trouble with the downhill section past the cliffs and you will get GPS bounce into the mountainside. Note you can see it on the drawn tracks on standard maps. I would allow 6 to 8 hours to do this hike depending on whether you are fit or superfit. It may be easier to do this hike in and anticlockwise format in the middle of summer as the lower Coomera river area where the campground is gets very hot.

The chances are you will get your feet wet and if conditions up in the mountains are wet you may be walking in knee deep water. There are 12 river crossings in this track. Some of the exits from the river crossings can be challenging to climb out of. Please understand what a giant stinging tree or 'Gympie Gympie' is. There are large numbers of these trees along the path jutting out sometimes. Touch one of the hairs on the underneath of the leafs and you will know about it for 3 months. Take some electrical tape and rip across the stung section to remove the needle if stung. It will settle down in time.

This hike starts at the trailhead at the Binna Burra lower day-use area just down from the National Park office and descends steeply along the Gwongoorool track through sun-dappled open forest and lush rainforest to the Coomera River. A couple of twists into the hike you will reach the header junction where you will need to decide which way you are going round the loop. I assume clockwise.

The initial part of the war follows the cliff line down to the Coomera River. Note the evidence of ancient trees in the rock face. As you hit the base of the cliff area you reach a junction which allows you to take a short detour to Gwongoorool pool. This is a great place for a swim in summer.

Returning to the junction you progress down the Coomera River following the Old Cedar trail. At the time of doing this trail the lovely National Parks people have installed numerous more orange arrows and pink ribbon to assist the hiker along the sometimes hard to distinguish route.

The Cedar trail concludes at the campground. From there the Trail ascends slowly across the steep spur gully terrain before hitting the higher reaches where it joins back up with the track you came out on.

When you walk this track you will realise just how much hard work this track takes to keep open. The creek itself with its fast flows erodes the landscape; the vegetation grows profusely and the steep spur gullies erode the sides of the track forcing it's closure in summer each year. If this track is open put it on your calendar. It is a must for the advanced hiker.