📍Imbil State Forest Visitor Guide: Walks, Camping & Other Things To Do Without A 4WD. (2024.)

WANT TO KNOW IF IMBIL STATE FOREST IS WORTH VISITING WITHOUT A 4WD?

Imbil State Forest is one of the Sunshine Coast’s best hidden gems. Located 61km west of the region’s only city, Maroochydore, halfway along the coastline, it is the northern gateway to the breathtaking and ecologically significant Conondale National Park. But with all roads within it only accessible by high-clearance 4WD, you might be wondering, is there anything to offer those who don’t have a fully-equipped vehicle with off-road capabilities?

I visited there for a couple of days to see if there was and found that having a conventional 2WD didn’t mean missing out entirely on what this lovely place had to offer. From scenic walking trails to camping under the stars and swimming in the creek, here are the best things to do at this wonderful family-friendly nature escape.

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.

1. Little Yabba Walk.
1.5km Circuit. Grade 3.

One of the most delightful trails at Imbil State Forest is Little Yabba Walk. Departing from the day-use area, it’s not long before you’re boulder hopping across Little Yabba Creek to the northern banks and following it upstream into the rainforest. Along the way is interesting signage about the plantation next door and the efforts they’re making to be as sustainable as possible and that the emerging forest hoop pines will be harvested 45 years from when they were planted in 2018.

What’s more fascinating and also sad is that you can easily see the distinct differences between where the established natural habitat ends and the plantation begins a few metres from the trail as the towering trees of the rainforest suddenly give way to the young pines which haven’t existed long enough to grow to those height yet. Then it’s another easy boulder hop across the creek again to get back to the day use area & campground.

And if you go early, you may see some gorgeous padamelons hopping around. They’re essentially the mini versions of kangaroos and wallabies and are, therefore, super cute, and love hanging out in the rainforest, but I saw one at the beginning of the walk just before first creek crossing so who knows where you may see them. They’re also shy and bound away quickly, so if you spot one, keep quiet to observe them as long as possible.

LOVE TRAVELLING? BUT HATE PACKING?

Want a FREE comprehensive packing list to streamline preparations for your next adventure? I’ve got you covered!

Send me my FREE Packing List!

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Built with ConvertKit

2. Piccabeen Walk.
3.3km Circuit, Grade 3.

The extension of the Little Yabba Walk is the Piccabeen Walk, which features several beautiful boardwalks crisscrossing the river and featuring towering palm trees and the always striking exposed upper roots of the iconic strangler figs. As you start the return journey, the trail randomly goes through the plantation of young hoop pine trees that a short enough that it provides lovely pockets of view across the countryside, before heading back into the rainforest to meet back up with the Little Yabba Walk.

3. Mt Allan Fire Trail.
8.8km Return, Grade 4.

For those looking for a challenging track, the 8.8km return multi-use trail to the Mt Allen Fire Tower is a must. Hike or bike your way up the steep trail through the hoop pine plantation to the summit, where climbing the tower offers incredible views of the Mary Valley and will give your body one hell of a workout.

This strenuous Grade 4 track is great as a day trip, but it doesn’t have to stop there. Experienced hikers looking for the ultimate rewarding trek can continue past the peak and join the Conondale Range Great Walk, a 56km adventure through the incredible ecologically significant landscape, visiting all of the attractions this breathtaking place has to offer without ever needing a 4WD.

Note: Fire tower currently closed but the walk is open.

4. Fig Tree Walk.
780m Circuit, Grade 1.

Away from the rest of the Imbil’s attractions, Fig Tree Walk is another lovely trail worth visiting. Located on the Maleny-Kenilworth Road, just opposite the turn off for the state forest of Sunday Creek Road, the access to this track is from the Little Yabba Park, where you’ll then need to cross the bridge, which has gorgeous views overlooking the creek, to the trailhead, which starts as a boardwalk and alternates between it and sealed footpath. This means this fantastic track is fully wheelchair accessible. But whether you’re walking or rolling, be careful of the wire covering the wooden panels on the boardwalk as I got caught up in a section of it that wasn’t laying flat.

As for what there was to see, some of the coolest things were the Moreton Bay stranger figs, which as the name of the walk suggests, were features of the trail. Near the start, the entire boardwalk goes around one, which was a fantastic way to appreciate this icon of Australian rainforests. And then later on, the roots of another one were were looking particularly striking, perfectly fitting in with the edges of the creek bed of the sometimes present waterway.

There were also lots of lovely little birds flying around such as the delightful eastern yellow robins and even more avian creatures scurrying around in the under scrub such as the eastern grey whipbirds.

Imbil has one beautiful state forest campground. The Charlie Moreland Camping area is accessible by conventional 2WD vehicles and has many level grass/dirt surfaces to park or pitch a tent on under towering eucalyptus trees. It’s right next to the day use area where the two shorter trails, the picnic tables and BBQs and access to Little Yabba Creek is.

• Non-potable water.
• Fire rings.
• 16 flushing toilets across 3 sites.

✔️ Pros.

• Plenty of spaces allowing for with some shrubbery providing privacy to a small degree.
• Perfect for set ups of all types, such as tents, campervans, caravans and large groups.
• The campground is right next to the day use area, so accessing the trailhead is just a short walk away as is access to the creek for wild swimming!

❌ Cons.

• Mid-August, the water in the creek was freaking cold! Jack and Rose weren’t freezing to death in the Arctic waters after the Titanic sunk in water this cold.
• I visited on a Saturday night in August and it was almost full, so not the best for enjoying the natural ambience. And in the warmer months, I would imagine it would be much busier.

Swimming.

One of the best things to do in Imbil State Forest is go swimming. The Little Yabba Creek runs the entire length of the working forest, but just a short 100m walk from the Charlie Moreland day-use area and camping ground is the perfect place to enjoy a refreshing dip is this stunning emerald coloured waterway.

Be warned through, that the temperature is freezing. I went in up to my thighs and I’m pretty sure Jack Dawson didn’t freeze to death in waters this cold while Rose DeWitt Bukater hogged the door after the Titanic sunk. But…. that was mid-August aka the last month of winter, but if you’ve just finished the strenuous Mt Allen Hiking Trail, it might be a welcome reprieve. But in summer, it’ll be much more inviting when you won’t need to do anything to achieve that same level of sweatiness.

Picnics & BBQs.

The Charlie Moreland Day-Use Area is also a great place for enjoying a meal in the great outdoors. Between the car park and the creek are several secluded picnic tables along with some gas BBQs for public enjoyment.

Where Is Imbil State Forest?

Imbil State Forest lies 61km west coastal city, Maroochydore in the spectacular Sunshine Coast region.

How To Get There.

From Maroochydore:

Autumn and Spring are the best time to visit Imbil State Forest as the weather isn’t too hot, so walking the trails are enjoyable (but I’d start the the Mt Allan trail as early as possible as it’s virtually 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.

Charlie Moreland Day-Use Area.

• Picnic tables in a lovely natural setting nestled away from the road.
• Gas and woodfire BBQs.
• Flushing toilets.
• Non-potable water.

Places To Visit Nearby.

• Conondale National Park. (4WD Accessible Only, unless hiking in.)
• Mary Valley Drive.
• Lake Borumba.
• Amamoor State Forest.

You don’t need a high clearance 4WD to make the most of a visit to Imbil State Forest as a regular 2WD will get you to the places where you can enjoy activities such as hiking, biking, swimming, birdwatching and camping.

If you plan to visit Imbil State Forest, consider looking at these other posts.