📍5 Best Amamoor State Forest Walks + Campsites & Other Things To Do. (2024.)
WANT TO KNOW WHICH AMAMOOR STATE FOREST WALKS & CAMPSITES ARE THE MOST WORTHWHILE?
Tucked away south east of the stunning regional city of Gympie, whose gold rush saved Queensland, and west of the gorgeous idyllic coastal town of Noosa in the Sunshine Coast’s north, lies a beautiful forested getaway with several trails, a lovely day use area, two peaceful campgrounds nestled amongst the trees and a picturesque creek running the length of it.
From embarking on the tracks, to enjoying a picnic or BBQ in a natural setting, to heading down to the water to look for the elusive platypus in the early morning and wild swimming to cool off in the heat of day to spending the night under the stars, here are the best Amamoor State Forest walks, campsites and other things to do that make it one of the best day trips and overnight escapes from Gympie and Noosa.
Note: Apologies for the terrible photos. It’s the first time I’ve ever forgotten my camera, so it’s phone photos for this post.
👉 My top 3 picks for the best Amamoor State Forest trails:
- Amama Walk. – Waterfall and lookout.
- Rainforest Walk. – Amamoor Creek.
- Platypus Walk. – Amamoor Creek.
Planning Your Trip? Use My Favourite Resources!
Tours/Experiences: I recommend Viator.
Accommodation: I recommend Booking.com.
Flights: I recommend Aviasales.
Car Rental: I recommend economybookings.
Best Amamoor State Forest Walks.
1. Amama Walk.
1.5km Circuit, Grade 4. – Dogs Allowed.
The clear winner for the best walk in Amamoor State Forest is the Amama Walk. Starting opposite the gorgeous Amama day use area, this stunning trail is a fantastic mix of being visually rewarding and physically challenging as it makes its way through lush dense rainforest.
The first part of the track is easygoing and naturally significant as this area is home to one of the largest remaining occurrences of Bauple Nut trees, the ancient ancestors of todays commercial macadamia nut trees, while the small loop crossing over the creek forms the extent of Fig Tree Circuit.
Not far after that is the Cascades, a small but picturesque waterfall flowing over a giant boulder that is the highlight of the walk, earmarked by the giant tree trunk of a Bunya Tree. From there the trails graduates into a Grade 4 track, with the next section being the hardest part with many tricky creek crossings and trees roots to navigate meaning traversing this part is hard and slow-going, so sturdy enclosed shoes are a must with a hiking stick strongly recommended.
Then its a steep ascent up the hill, before it reaches a fire trail and flattens out for a bit, goes to the lovely Diamondfield Lookout, the only viewpoint in the State Forest, before the steep descent meets you back at the trailhead.
Note: The Queensland Parks website says its a Grade 4 walk, but the map I downloaded from their website shows Grade 3, which is is definitely not, so just a forewarning it is most definitely a Grade 4!
Starts From: Opposite Amama Day-Use Area.
2. Platypus Walk
Grade 3.
Also starting from Amama day use area, the Platypus Walk may be the shortest walk in the state forest, but the family friendly stroll along the Amamoor Creek is incredibly scenic, with lovely views overlooking the serene waterway. It’s also the best place to go wild swimming, with this part of the natural water course having deeper water and more room to explore allowing for the most immersive dip, although the temperatures does get pretty cold!
As the name suggests, it’s also a fantastic place to look for the wonderfully unique and quirky platypus. However, these creatures are incredibly shy, so the best time of day to visit is in the early morning when it’s the calmest and be as quiet as possible, as they spook easily. Then look at the surface of the water for bubbles, as that’s one of the best indicators that these egg-laying semi-aquatic mammals are around and may pop up for air soon. But they often only do so for the shortest time, so keep those eyes peeled!
Starts From: Amama Day-Use Area.
3. Rainforest Walk.
1km Circuit, Grade 3.
Racking up more points for the short trails at this beautiful nature reserve, the 1km Rainforest Walk from the Cedar Grove Camping Area is another of Amamoor’s must-do walks. This lovely circuit goes down to the picturesque creek, crosses it, goes into the shady rainforest, offering more glimpses of the beautiful waterway before crossing it again and finishing at the other end of the campground.
The area about 100m start of the trail is also another picture perfect place to enjoy a frolic in the water, but just be warned, it’s pretty cold. However, if you’ve just finished the 4.6km Cedar Grove Walking Track, which starts and finishes along this trail, it’s the perfect way to cool down after that sweat inducing hike.
Starts From: Cedar Grove Camping Area.
4. Cedar Grove Hiking Trail.
4.6km Circuit, Grade 4.
About 400m along the Rainforest Walk is where the physically challenging Cedar Grove Hiking Trail begins. This track essentially consists of four parts. The first section is a relentless slog up a mountain in open woodlands, climbing over 160m in elevation in the first 1km. The second is mostly downhill returning down the mountain just as steeply in dry rainforest, before leveling out for a while at the fire trail back in woodlands for the third part with the final stretch undulating through the rainforest again.
Once the pathway loops back around to the start, you can opt to go back the way you came or finish with the rest of the Rainforest Walk, which I recommend, because even though the Cedar Grove Walking track is a rewarding strenuous walk on the body, it’s not as visually exciting aside from seeing the changes in vegetation and there’s no views despite the elevation climb, whereas the remaining 600m of the Rainforest Walk is wonderfully scenic despite it’s short length.
Note: Steep muddy sections on the downhill sections means I wouldn’t suggest doing this trail after its been raining.
Starts From: Cedar Grove Camping Area.
5. Amamoor Creek Hiking Trail.
2.5km Circuit, Grade 4. – Dogs Allowed.
Last on the list of Amamoor State Forests walks in the Amamoor Creek Hiking Trail. This is the only trail to start near the Amamoor Creek Camping Area. There is a small grass parking area with a basic sign showing there is a track a fraction further up the road from the final turn into the campground.
The track is moderately steep at the start as it goes through dry rainforest, but once at the top, it’s a fairly easy walking from there on out, going between the towering trees of neatly aligned plantations for about half of the trail, the most picturesque part, before reconnecting for the downhill slope in the last quarter. It’s definitely the easiest of the state forests three longer walks, and should be recategorized to a grade 3 in my opinion. But it is one of only two trails you can take your dogs, making it a lovely outing with your four legged friend.
Starts From: Near the Amamoor Creek Camping Area.
Amamoor State Forest Camping Info & Review.
Amamoor State Forest has 2 beautiful, grassy camping areas, Cedar Grove Camping Area and Amamoor Camping Area, 4km apart, that sit beside the picturesque Amamoor Creek where people can pitch a tent, or park their caravan, motorhome, campervan or other camping set up. The road to get to them is part bitumen until just after the Amama Day Use Area then dirt for the rest of the way, but they suitable for conventional vehicles. Be especially careful driving between Cedar Grove and Amamoor as when it’s wet, it’s like driving on clay, and therefore slipperier.
Both places have at least one trailhead for lovely walks straight out of the campground, allow campfires in existing fire rings (except on days when there are fire bans), have flushing toilets, non-potable water (do not drink with treatment). However, no generators are allowed. Book sites on the Queensland Parks website. Check-in is after 1.00pm with check-out before 11.00am.
Cedar Grove Camping Area. – $.
Cedar Grove Camping Area is the closer of the two campgrounds to the Bruce Highway (A1). This beautiful open grassy area is surrounded by towering red cedar trees and distinctly shaped bunya trees and has a capacity of 170 people. It features a lovely sandy beach for access to the tranquil Amamoor Creek making it the perfect place for enjoying a refreshing swim in the natural environment.
- 8 flushing toilets.
The two walking areas that start from here:
- Rainforest Walk.
- Cedar Grove Hiking Trail.
✔️ Pros.
- Lovely area with lots of space and many trees should you want a shady spot.
- You don’t have to pre-book a particular space, so you can pick which place looks the most suitable on arrival, instead of being pigeon-holed into the one pre-selected if it turns out to not be the greatest for whatever reason.
- There’s also heaps of room for bigger groups to hang out together.
- It’s a short walk to the creek, especially where I was right next to the trailhead. That end was also deeper allowing for more immersive swims and snorkels, but there were also super shallow areas for splashing and just sitting in.
- Of the two campgrounds, the walks from this one are better than the walk at Amamoor Creek Camping area, as is the creek itself.
- There was a cow walking through and nibbling on the tree foliage. And I saw a kingfisher at the creek!
- It’s a great affordable base for exploring the Sunshine Coast’s northern hinterland and the spectacular coastal town of Noosa and the lovely gold mining town of Gympie.
❌ Cons.
- There is a patch of reasonably sized holes between the grid and information sign.
- The trailhead for one end of the Rainforest Circuit was easy to find, but the other end didn’t have signs for where it was. I just ended out behind where some other campers were. There are also no signs for the Cedar Grove Walking Trail, but just go along the Rainforest Circuit and the track branches off for it 400m in.
- One of the neighbours, a large group of young adults, was incredibly inconsiderate with their loud talking and music which went until at least 1.00am. Bringing earplugs is a must!
- The brush-turkeys are cunning when you leave unopened food for a half a second!
Amamoor Creek Camping Area. – $.
Four kilometres west of Cedar Grove Camping area is Amamoor Creek Camping Area, a smaller, but just as lovely fenced area tucked away from the road. As the name suggests, this place also has access to the creek, also great for wild swimming, but where this places one ups on the other is that dogs are permitted to spend the night with you. Not only that, they are also allowed to go on Amamoor Creek Hiking Trail too!
This part of Amamoor State Forest where the famous Gympie Music Muster is held, a huge country music event that that takes places over a week in August and draws thousands of campers who stay on the huge land reserves including and surrounding Amamoor Creek Campground, which is a big part component of it. Between late July and early September, camping for the state forest campground is managed by the Gympie Music Muster website. But if you want to avoid all that during that time of year, it’s best to go Cedar Grove Camping Area.
The walking areas that start from nearby:
- Amamoor Creek Hiking Trail. (Dogs permitted.)
✔️ Pros.
- Quiet fenced area away from the road with access to the creek.
- You can stay with your furry four legged friend!
- The Music Muster grounds and museum is just next to it. I couldn’t roam the grounds because it was a restricted area for the event, but seeing the buildings was cool. IDK if you can visit during other times of the year, but I don’t see why not as it only had temporary, and not permanent fencing.
❌ Cons.
- The pathway to the creek isn’t signed. Look for the turn style.
- While the waterway is pretty, it doesn’t appear deep enough for an immersive swim. Amama Creek day use area and Cedar Grove camping area are better for that.
- The walks are better at the other two places too.
- If visiting in the lead up to the Music Muster, there will be a lot of people working around the area set it up. And if not going expressly for the event, it’s not exactly the best place to enjoy the natural ambience of the place.
- The trailhead for the walking track doesn’t start at the campground. There’s a little car park a bit further down the road from that final turn to the campground which has a walking track sign. There’s no toilets there, but you can take your dog and walk through the forest and plantation.
Other Things To Do.
Swimming.
One of the best things about Amamoor State Forest is that the day use area and two camping grounds sit right on the banks of Amamoor Creek, a peaceful watercourse that meanders its way through the length of the nature reserve.
When the mercury’s high, the creek is the perfect place for cooling off in the refreshing waters this beautiful nature watercourse surrounded by shady trees. The Platypus Walk at Amama Day Use Area is the best place as it wider and deeper, allowing for the most picturesque and immersive experience and perhaps even snorkelling.
Meanwhile, the start of the Rainforest Circuit at Cedar Grove Camping Ground is smaller and shallower, making it a lovely for splashing around, especially if you’re staying the night there and just finished walking the challenging Cedar Grove Hiking Trail which will get the heart pumping and the sweat pouring.
Picnics & BBQs.
The forest has one day use area. Amama is a gorgeous spot on the banks of Amamoor Creek 5km west of the town of the same name, and has a picturesque grassy area with numerous tables and BBQs, perfect for a family get together and refuel or a relaxing picnic by yourself or with your significant other.
From here, you can also go for a walk along the northern bank searching for platypus (best done in the early morning) or swim in the refreshing waters or embark on a rainforest adventure on the Amama Walk. (Sturdy enclosed shoes are a must as the full circuit should be upgraded to a Grade 4 as there are numerous tricky creek crossings, roots systems and steep areas to navigate) making it the perfect place to rest and recharge after hiking the trails.
Note: Dogs are also allowed here.
Looking For Animals.
Another great thing to do is be on the look out for animals. Brush turkeys, kangaroos, wallabies and monitor lizards are frequent sights, but shrieking cockatoos also live here. And in the water, there’s platypus. However, these unique semi-aquatic egg laying mammals are incredibly shy, so the best time to spot these elusive creatures is by visiting the creek at dusk or dawn and keeping very quiet while looking at the waters surface for disturbances on the surface.
I also saw the striking iridescent kingfisher at the creek near my campsite at the start of the Rainforest Walk, and although they’re not native, it was lovely to see a cow walking through the campground eating from the nearby trees! I also encountered several of the sweet mammals on the Cedar Grove Hiking Trail.
Photography.
With scenic walking trails, a picturesque creek and animals galore, Amamoor State Forest is great for photography. Hone your skills taking landscape, long-shutter, wildlife, lifestyle and portrait and even astrophotography if you’re staying the night.
Take Your Dog.
If you’re a dog-owner who loves taking their animals into the great outdoors, there’s many places they can’t go. National parks are also a no-go but state forests sometimes allow them to come on adventures and Amamoor is one of them. While they can’t accompany you to all areas, they are allowed at the Amama Day Use Area, Amamoor Creek Camping Area & the Amamoor Creek Hiking Trail.
Gympie Music Muster.
One of the top reasons to visit Amamoor State Forest and the Gympie region in general is just not for the natural ambience, but for music and mateship. One of the biggest annual events on national calendar is the famous Gympie’s Music Muster and is held here next to the Amamoor Creek Camping Area.
This massive festival takes place in August where its 4 days of non-stop celebrations of all things that makes regional Australia great, from croony songs led by many of the nation’s most famous names in country music to camping in the natural environment and our penchant for mateship, making it a must-attend for anyone who loves any combination of those things.
Location.
Where Is Amamoor State Forest?
Amamoor State Forest lies in the greater Gympie region of Queensland, about 30kms southwest of the titular city and 67km west of the gorgeous Sunshine Coast town of Noosa.
How To Get There.
From the Bruce Highway (M1):
- Take the Mary Valley Link exit, then head west. At the end, turn right onto Mary Valley Road and follow that for a short distance before turning left onto Blackgate Road, which will lead to the town of Amamoor. Once there, turn right onto Amamoor Creek Road, then follow it to the reach the state forest’s day use area and campgrounds.
- The road changes from bitumen to dirt, but it is suitable for conventional vehicles, including those towing long rigs, such as caravans and camper trails. However, be especially cautious driving between the two campgrounds as the road, when wet, was like driving on potters clay and slippery, even at low speeds.
From Amamoor:
- 5km to Amama day-use area.
- 12km to Cedar Grove camping area.
- 16km to Amamoor Creek camping area.
Note: Heavy rain can cause flash flooding. Don’t risk driving through water if it’s over a few cm deep, and especially not if it is flowing. Even currents from shallow water can carry a car away.
Best Time To Visit.
Autumn and Spring are the best time to visit Amamoor State Forest as the weather isn’t too hot, so walking the trails are enjoyable (but I’d start the Cedar Grove one early as the first third of that is all uphill and fairly exposed), or too cold, so swimming in the creek is a pleasant endeavour. Plus, if you’re camping, the nights aren’t uncomfortably hot or cold during these seasons either.
If you love country music and outdoor festivals, coming in August for the Gympie Music Muster is a must, but if you want to enjoy the tranquility of nature, the week its on is best avoided.
Other Park Information.
Geography & History.
- Amamoor’s vegetation includes dry forests, riverine rainforests, and hoop and bunya pine plantations. It is also home to one of the largest remaining, naturally-occurring Bauple Nut trees, the ancestor of todays commercial macadamia nuts trees that were collected from the area in the 1800s, and which can be seen on the Macadamia Trail.
Animals.
- Platypus. This wonderfully unique creatures are notoriously shy. Look from them in the or near the creek at dawn or dusk, but be very quiet as they spook easily. The best trail for this is the Platypus Walk at Amama Day Use Area.
- Yellow-tailed black cockatoos.
- Sulphur chested cockatoos.
- Rare and endangered frogs.
- Monitor lizards.
Amama Picnic Areas.
- Gorgeous Spot.
- Picnic tables. (Some sheltered.)
- BBQs.
- 3 Walking Trails.
Places To Visit Nearby.
- Gympie.
- Mary Valley Drive.
- Lake Borumba.
- Imbil State Forest.
- Conondale National Park.
- Noosa.
Conclusion: Amamoor State Forest Visitor Info.
With five scenic trails, a picturesque creek accessible from several places, two beautiful campgrounds, a lovely day-use area and fantastic opportunities to see nature wildlife, Amamoor State Forests walks and campsites offer folks a lovely nature escape close to the former gold mining city of Gympie and the beloved coastal destination of Noosa.
If you plan to visit Amamoor State Forest, consider looking at these other posts.
