The Best Multi-Day Hikes Within 5 Hours of Brisbane and Gold Coast

We’ve put together a list of our favourite beginner-friendly multi-day hikes across the Northern Rivers and South East Queensland. If you’re keen to step into the world of multi-day hiking, or simply try something new, keep reading.

Within five hours of the Gold Coast, there are enough trails to fill weeks on foot. Some are well-established Great Walks, while others only come together once you start connecting main tracks, remote camps, and side routes.

That’s what this guide is about.

To keep this list consistent, every hike included meets the following criteria:

• Within approximately 5 hours of Brisbane/Gold Coast
• Minimum of 2 days
• At least one official camping site along the route
  
• Begginner friendly: no bush bashing or hardcore technical skills required

I personally done many of those hikes and added some of my experience on those. Hope you get out there and enjoy! Make sure to also check our other blog posts with gear lists, food ideas and much more. 

Important note! Always check National Parks websites for current information, park and camp closures before heading on your trip. This is not an official guide and we're not affiliated with the National Parks. Always bring safety gear and tell a friend about your route before heading out.

• QLD National Parks Alerts
• NSW National Parks Alerts

Table Of Contents

• Overview Table
• Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk
• Lamington Option 1: Binna Burra To O’Reilly’s And Back Via Toolona
• Lamington Option 2: Toolona And Albert River Loop (Partial closure)
• Lamington Option 3: Toolona Creek Circuit (Extended version) 
• Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk
• Mount Barney: Lower Portals Or Barney Gorge Overnight
• Mount Barney Summit Overnight: Rum Jungle And South Ridge
• Gibraltar–Washpool Loop
• Border Ranges Loop
• Girraween And Bald Rock
• Scenic Rim Trail
• Yuraygir Coastal Walk
• Cooloola Great Walk
• Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk
• Conondale Range Great Walk
• More Options

Overview Table (scroll to the side to view the full table)

* Distances are approximate and route dependent.

Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk

• Distance: 54 km
• Suggested days: 3 days
• Approx. drive from the Gold Coast: 1 to 1.5 hours
• Type: One-way
• Start → finish: O’Reilly’s → Springbrook
• Where to camp: Night 1 at Binna Burra, Night 2 at Woonoongoora
• Description: The Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk is one of the most established multi-day hikes in South East Queensland, linking Lamington and Springbrook National Parks through a mix of dense rainforest, escarpment views, and waterfall sections. It’s a well-defined track with designated walkers’ camps, making it a good introduction to multi-day hiking.
• Logistics: As a one-way hike, it requires some planning around transport between the start and finish points.
• Suggested itinerary: 
  • Day 1: O’Reilly’s to Binna Burra
  • Day 2: Binna Burra to Woonoongoora Walkers Camp
  • Day 3: Woonoongoora to The Settlement camping area via Purling Brook Falls.
• Extra tip: If you’re just getting started, you can break this hike into shorter out-and-back sections to build confidence before committing to the full trail. For example, you can park at Apple Tree Park and camp at Woonoongoora Walkers Camp (3.9km out-and-back). From there you can also explore Puling Brooke Falls the next day. Another good shorter option is the Binna Burra to O’Reilly’s section (see below for more info).
• More info: Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk
• Maps:
  • Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk AllTrails map,
  • Woonoongoora Walkers Camp Map (shorter version) AllTrails map

Photo: Communal fire place at Binna Burra lodge.

Lamington Option 1: Binna Burra To O’Reilly’s And Back Via Toolona

• Distance: Approximately 42 km
• Suggested days: 2 days
• Approx. drive from the Gold Coast: Approximately 1.5 hours
• Type: Return loop
• Start → finish: Binna Burra → O’Reilly’s → Binna Burra
• Where to camp: O’Reilly’s Campground (private)
• Alternative camps: Mount Bithongabel
• Description: This is one of the most approachable multi-day hikes for beginners because O’Reilly’s campground has a full kitchen, which means you do not need to bring cooking gear, and there is even a pub. It's a short version of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk but the logistics are easier as you can leave your car in Binna Burra and return to the same spot. 
• Suggested itinerary:
  • Day 1: From Binna Burra to O’Reilly’s via Border Track.
  • Day 2: Return via Toolona Creek (half of the circuit) and continue via Border Track back to Binna Burra.
• Note: You could also return via Coomera Circuit, however, at the time of writing this post, Coomera circuit is currently closed.
• Personal experience: I’ve done this route a few times and it’s still one of my favourites. It’s long, but one of the easiest multi-day hikes for beginners because of the mostly flat terrain and you can stay at O’Reilly’s campground, which has a full kitchen. There’s no need to carry cooking gear, and you can even treat yourself with wine and pizza at the pub. It makes the whole experience much more relaxed compared to remote camping. If you’re not a fan of the Border Track, which some people find a bit repetitive, it’s worth looking into alternative routes from O’Reilly’s (options below).
  
• More info: Lamington National Park
• Maps:
  • O'Reilly's to Binna Burra AllTrails map
  • Toolona Circuit Map
  • Binna Burra to Mount Bithongabel via Border Track

Lamington Option 2: Toolona And Albert River Loop (partial closure)

• Distance: Approximately 40 to 45 km
• Suggested days: 2 to 3 days
• Approx. drive from the Gold Coast: Approximately 1.5 hours
• Type: Loop (stich up of day hikes)
• Start → finish: O’Reilly’s → O’Reilly’s
• Where to camp: Echo Point remote bush camp 
• Description: This route combines sections of Toolona Creek and the Albert River Circuit to create a more immersive Lamington experience. It feels more like a true backcountry trip compared to staying at O’Reilly’s, with a more remote feel.
• Suggested itinerary:
  • Day 1: From O’Reilly’s through Toolona Creek toward Echo Point, camp overnight,
  • Day 2: Continue through the Albert River side* of the network and return to O’Reilly’s, with an optional third day if you want to stretch the distance via Moonlight Crag Walking Track.
• More notes: At the time of writing this post, Albert River Loop is currently closed. You can still do a section of this hike and we have planned an alternative below. Always check Parks website for current information.
• More info: Echo Point bush camp
• Maps:
  • Toolona Creek Circuit map
  • Border Track and Albert River Circuit Map
  • Moonlight Crag Walking Track via Albert River Walking Loop

Lamington Option 3: Toolona Creek Circuit

• Distance: 17km to 30km
• Suggested days: 2 days
• Approx. drive from the Gold Coast: Approximately 1.5 hours
• Type: Loop (stich up of day hikes)
• Start → finish: O’Reilly’s → O’Reilly’s
• Where to camp: Mount Bithongabel camp
• Description: This option follows the Toolona Creek Circuit and can be extended with multiple side tracks to create a longer, more varied route. It offers a more flexible Lamington experience, with plenty of waterfalls and creek sections, and the ability to adapt the distance depending on how much you want to explore.
• Suggested itinerary:
  • Day 1: From O’Reilly’s through Toolona Creek (optional extending via Box Forest Circuit) toward Mount Bithongabel, camp overnight.
  • Day 2: Continue through the Border Track side of Toolona Creek, with an optional stretch via Moonlight Crag Walking Track. 
    
• More notes: This route is a combination of popular day hikes, so some sections can be busy. That said, Lamington is a beautiful, lush rainforest, and the track passes multiple waterfalls, so it never feels repetitive. One of the main advantages is the flexibility. You can adjust your route as you go if you decide to shorten the trip, which makes it a great option for testing new gear or building confidence on longer hikes. Just keep in mind that the remote campsites can book out quickly, so it’s worth planning ahead.
  
• More info: Mount Bithongabel bush camp
• Maps:
  • Toolona Creek Circuit map (17km)
    
  • Stretched circuit with all side tracks (30km)

Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk

• Distance: 42 km
• Suggested days: 4 days
• Approx. drive from the Gold Coast: 1 to 1.5 hours
• Type: One-way
• Start → finish: Manns Road → Minyon Falls
• Where to camp: Night 1 at Sand Ridge, Night 2 at Yelgun Kyoomgun, Night 3 at Weeun Weeun
• Description: This is one of the most comfortable multi-day hikes in the region in terms of infrastructure, with excellent campsites, tent platforms, toilets, and picnic tables. There is already a separate blog post for this one, but it deserves to stay on the list because it is one of the best-designed walks close to the Gold Coast.
• Suggested itinerary:
  • Day 1: Manns Road to Sand Ridge Campground
  • Day 2: Sand Ridge to Yelgun Kyoomgun Campground
  • Day 3: Yelgun Kyoomgun to Weeun Weeun Campground
  • Day 4: Weeun Weeun to Rummery Park Campground (option to extend to Mynyion Falls and Minyon Grass Trail Lookout)
    
• More info: Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk
• Map: AllTrails map
• Personal experience: I’ve done Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk last year (aka GG Walk) and it exceeded all my expectations. It’s definitely the most expensive option on this list, but the facilities make a big difference. The platforms, toilets, and overall setup are very well done, especially compared to remote bush camps. It’s a very comfortable way to do a multi-day without compromising too much on the experience. The main downside here is the logistics. As this is a one-way trek, you’ll need to organise transport in advance, similar to several other official hikes on this list.

Photo: One of the lookouts on day 2 of Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk

Mount Barney: Lower Portals Or Barney Gorge Overnight

• Distance: 8 to 12km
• Suggested days: 2 days
• Approx. drive from the Gold Coast: Approximately 2 hours
• Type: Out-and-back or link-up
• Start → finish: End of Lower Portals Rd carpark (Mt. Barney)
• Where to camp: Lower Portals remote bush camp or Barney Gorge Junction remote bush camp
• Description: This is the more beginner-friendly overnight option in Mount Barney National Park and should not be confused with the summit route. It is a scenic creek-and-gorge style overnight rather than a summit hike.
• Suggested itinerary: Walk in with full packs to either Lower Portals or Barney Gorge Junction, camp overnight, and return the following day. 
• More info: Mount Barney camping information
• Maps:
  • Lower Portals Track map (7.6km out and back) 
  • Barney Gorge Junction Camp map (11.4km out and back)
• Personal experience: I've done this as an overnight, camping at Barney Gorge. It’s a short and easy option compared to other hikes in the area, which makes it very beginner-friendly. You still carry your gear in and out over some steep sections, but without the intensity of the summit routes of Mt. Barney. The creek and rock pools make it a really enjoyable place to camp. There’s a river crossing just before Lower Portals that can be waist-deep (season and weather dependent), which adds to the experience. It’s worth packing an extra pair of socks.

Mount Barney Summit Overnight: Rum Jungle And South Ridge

• Distance: 15.8km (out-and-back via South Ridge)
• Suggested days: 2 days
• Approx. drive from the Gold Coast: Approximately 2 hours
• Type: Out-and-back
• Start → finish: Yellow Pinch → Rum Jungle → summit → return
• Where to camp: Rum Jungle
• Description: This is one of the best ways to experience Mount Barney, splitting the summit into a two-day hike via South Ridge. Many hikers leave their main pack at Rum Jungle (at their own risk) and summit with just essentials.
• Suggested itinerary:
  • Day 1: Hike from Yellow Pinch to Rum Jungle with full packs
  • Day 2: Summit via South Ridge and return to Yellow Pinch
• More info: Mount Barney track information
• Map: South Ridge map
• Personal experience: I’ve done Mount Barney many times as a day hike, and it’s still one of the most challenging and rewarding hikes in the area. Breaking it into two days completely changes the experience. Camping at Rum Jungle and summiting the next day via South Ridge makes it much more manageable. The hardest part is carrying your full pack up to camp as the route is quite steep, but once you’re there, the summit day feels far more achievable. There are several other routes to the summit of Mt. Barney, but they’re not ideal for an overnight hike. They’re much steeper, more exposed, and better suited to experienced hikers tackling them as a day trip.

Photo: View from Mt. Barney

Gibraltar–Washpool Loop

• Distance: 46 km (extendable up to 100km)
• Suggested days: 3 to 4 days
• Approx. drive from the Gold Coast: 3.5 to 4 hours
• Type: Loop
• Start → finish: Mulligans → Mulligans (flexible as there are many entry points)
• Where to camp: Night 1 at Mulligans, Night 2 at Coombadjha, Night 3 at Boundary Falls, Night 4 (optional) at Mulligans.
• Description: The Gibraltar–Washpool Loop is a flexible multi-day hike through World Heritage rainforest in northern NSW. The route combines management trails and walking tracks, making navigation relatively straightforward, with multiple side tracks and detours available along the way. With several camp options and access points, it can be adapted to suit different distances and trip lengths.
• Suggested itinerary:
  • Day 1: Mulligans Campground to Coombadjha Campground
    Day 2: Continue anti-clockwise through Washpool toward Boundary Falls, including an optional detour to Duffer Falls.
    Day 3: Return toward Mulligans via the Gibraltar Range section, with an optional fourth day if you want to add side trips.
• Personal experience: I completed this circuit as my first solo multi-day hike and found it very quiet, while still feeling safe the entire time. It’s one of the most underrated options on this list in my opinion. Because a large portion of the route follows fire trails, I highly recommend adding as many side tracks as possible to make the experience more varied. Duffer Falls was a definite highlight. It can also be extended significantly if you’re looking to increase the distance, up to around 100 km.
• More info: Gibraltar–Washpool World Heritage Walk 
• Maps:
  • Gibraltar-Washpool World Heritage Walk AllTrails map (short version - 45km)
  • Extended 3-days version with side tracks (60km)

Photo: Duffer Falls at Gibraltar Range National Park 

Border Ranges Traverse / Return

• Distance: 23km (one way) or 46 km (out and back)
• Suggested days: 2 to 3 days
• Approx. drive from the Gold Coast: Approximately 2 hours
• Type: Loop
• Start → finish: Sheepstation Creek → Sheepstation Creek
• Where to camp: Sheepstation Creek, Forest Tops
• Description: The Border Ranges Traverse is a quieter alternative to Lamington, with similar rainforest terrain but fewer people. The route follows a mix of fire trails and walking tracks, making it relatively straightforward to navigate, with the option to extend or shorten depending on your pace. It’s a flexible hike that works well as a return trip or with a car shuffle for a one-way variation.
• Suggested itinerary:
  • Day 1: Sheepstation Creek to Forest Tops Campground.
  • Day 2: Continue to Brindle Creek or Pinnacle Lookout, then return to Forest Tops.
  • Day 3: Return to Sheepstation Creek via the same route, or exit via Tweed Range Scenic Drive.
• Alternative: You can organize a car shuffle and complete this as a one-way hike.
• More info:
  • Border Ranges National Park
  • Forest Tops campground
    
  • Sheepstation Creek campground
• Map: Border Ranges Traverse map

Girraween And Bald Rock Circuit

• Distance: Approximately 45 to 56 km
• Suggested days: 2 to 3 days
• Approx. drive from the Gold Coast: Approximately 4 hours
• Type: Loop
• Start → finish: Girraween → Bald Rock → Girraween
• Where to camp: Bald Rock Creek
• Alternative camps: Dingo swamp remote bush camp, Wallangarra Ridge remote bush camp, Castle Rock camping area, South Bald Rock remote bush camp.
• Description: Link Girraween day-hike sections with Bald Rock for a 2 to 3 day trip, camping at Bald Rock Creek or any of the remote camping sites along the route. This area stands out because it looks completely different from most national parks near the Gold Coast, with granite domes, wide views, and much more open terrain than the rainforest parks.
• Suggested itinerary:
  • Day 1: Start from Castle Rock and follow an anticlockwise loop via Mt Norman, heading toward the Bald Rock camping area.
  • Day 2: Return via the upper circuit, either retracing your route past Mt Norman or taking the Underground Creek option.
• Personal experience: I’ve done the full Girraween circuit over 3 days, camping at Dingo Swamp and South Bald Rock, and finishing with some side tracks around Castle Rock camping area. It’s one of my favourite hikes because it’s so flexible. There are multiple entry points and camp options, which makes it easy to adapt your route depending on how you’re feeling each day. The landscape is completely different from most parks around here, but you do need to plan carefully around water availability (at the moment all creeks are dry so you'd need to fill up at the main camping grounds from tap water). The sunrise from the top of the Pyramid and sunset at South Bald Rock were definite highlights, and a swim at Robert’s Waterhole is not to be missed.
• More info: Girraween National Park
• Maps:
  • Girraween Circuit Map (53km)
  • Extended Circuit via Underground Creek and side tracks (56km)

Photo: Sunset at South Bald Rock

Scenic Rim Trail

• Distance: Approximately 47 km
• Suggested days: 4 days
• Approx. drive from the Gold Coast: Approximately 2 to 2.5 hours
• Type: One-way
• Start → finish: Thornton View → Cunningham’s Gap
• Where to camp: Night 1 at Mount Mistake, Night 2 at Castle View, Night 3 at Banshee
• Description: Follow the established 4-day format through the designated walkers’ camps, progressing from Mount Mistake to Castle View and Banshee. This route offers a more open, ridgeline-focused experience compared to Lamington, with broader views and a clear, structured progression between camps.
• Logistics: As this is a one-way hike, you’ll need to organise transport in advance, either through a car shuffle or a transfer service.
• Suggested itinerary:
  • Day 1: Thornton View to Mount Mistake Walkers Camp
  • Day 2: Mount Mistake to Castle View Walkers Camp
  • Day 3: Castle View to Banshee Walkers Camp
  • Day 4: Banshee Walkers Camp to Cunningham’s Gap
• More info: Scenic Rim Trail
• Map: Scenic Rim Trail map

Yuraygir Coastal Walk

• Distance: 65 km
• Suggested days: 4 to 5 days
• Approx. drive from the Gold Coast: Approximately 3 hours
• Type: One-way
• Start → finish: Angourie → Red Rock
• Where to camp: Night 1 at Shelley Head, Night 2 at Station Creek, Night 3 at Illaroo
• Description: The Yuraygir Coastal Walk is a stunning multi-day hike through Yuraygir National Park, following a mix of beaches, headlands, and coastal bushland. Compared to inland hikes, it’s more exposed, with long stretches on sand and little shade, which can make it more physically demanding than it looks on paper. The route is relatively straightforward with designated camps along the way, but as a one-way hike, you’ll need to organise transport between Angourie and Red Rock in advance, and plan around tides and weather conditions.
• Suggested itinerary:
  • Day 1: Angourie to Shelley Head Campground
  • Day 2: Shelley Head to Station Creek Campground
  • Day 3: Station Creek to Illaroo Campground
  • Day 4: Illaroo to Red Rock
• Alternative shorter version: Hike from Angourie to Shelley Head Campground and return the same way.
• More info: Yuraygir Coastal Walk
• Map: AllTrails map

Cooloola Great Walk

• Distance: 85 - 102km (route dependent) 
• Suggested days: 4 to 5 days
• Approx. drive from the Gold Coast: Approximately 3 hours
• Type: One-way
• Start → finish: Noosa North Shore → Rainbow Beach
• Where to camp: Brahminy, Dutgee, Freshwater, and either Kauri or Litoria depending on itinerary
• Description: The Cooloola Great Walk is a well-established multi-day hike through Great Sandy National Park, offering a mix of coastal forest, heathland, and sandy terrain. It’s less steep than most inland hikes but more exposed, with long sections on soft sand that can be tiring over distance. The walk is well structured with designated camps along the route, making it easy to follow, but as a one-way hike, you’ll need to organise transport between Noosa North Shore and Rainbow Beach in advance.
• Suggested itinerary: 
  • Day 1: Noosa North Shore to Brahminy Walkers Camp
  • Day 2: Brahminy to Dutgee Walkers Camp
  • Day 3: Dutgee to Freshwater Walkers Camp
  • Day 4: Freshwater to Rainbow Beach
• More info: Cooloola Great Walk
• Map: AllTrails map

Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk

• Distance: 58-72 km (route dependent) 
• Suggested days: 3 to 4 days
• Approx. drive from the Gold Coast: Approximately 3 hours
• Type: One day or out and back variation
• Start → finish: Mapleton → Kondalilla area
• Where to camp: Ubajee, Thilba Thalba, Flaxton
• Description: The Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk is a well-established multi-day hike through rainforest, eucalypt forest, and hinterland terrain, linking Mapleton Falls to the Kondalilla area. It offers a good balance between structure and variety, with designated walkers’ camps spaced along the route, making it easier to plan compared to more remote hikes. The terrain is generally moderate, with some steady climbs and descents, and as a one-way walk, you’ll need to organise transport between the start and finish. Alternatively, you can return the same way to the car park on an extended version.
• Suggested itinerary: 
  • Day 1: Baroon Pocket Dam (M1) to Flaxton walkers’ camp
  • Day 2: Flaxton walkers’ camp to Ubajee walkers’ camp
  • Day 3: Ubajee walkers’ camp to Thilba Thalba walkers’ camp
  • Day 4: Thilba Thalba walkers’ camp to Delicia Road entrance (M4)
• More info: Sunshine Coast Great Walk
• Map: AllTrails map (extended out and back)

Conondale Range Great Walk

• Distance: 52-56km (route dependent) 
• Suggested days: 3 to 4 days
• Approx. drive from the Gold Coast: 3-4 hours
• Type: Loop
• Start → finish: Booloumba Creek → Booloumba Creek
• Where to camp: Wongai Walkers Camp, Tallowwood Walkers Camp, Summer Falls Walkers Camp
• Description: The Conondale Range Great Walk is a 50–60 km circuit through Conondale National Park, offering a more remote and less crowded alternative to other Great Walks in the region. The track passes through rainforest, open forest, creeks, and waterfalls, with highlights including Artists Cascades, Booloumba Falls, and Summer Falls. It’s a well-marked loop with designated walkers’ camps, making it relatively straightforward to follow while still feeling quite isolated.
• Suggested itinerary: 
  • Day 1: Booloumba Creek to Wongai Walkers Camp
  • Day 2: Wongai to Tallowwood Walkers Camp
  • Day 3: Tallowwood to Summer Falls Walkers Camp
  • Day 4: Return to Booloumba Creek (via Mt Allan optional side track
• More info: Conondale Range Great Walk
• Map: AllTrails map

More Options

There are a few official multi-day hikes close to the Gold Coast, but there are even more true overnight and multi-day routes than most people realise.

Some are well known and easy to recommend. Others only become obvious once you understand how tracks, camps, and side routes connect. That is what makes hiking close to home more interesting over time.

A good way to start building your own routes is by working backwards from the campsites. Both the Queensland and NSW National Parks websites clearly list remote bush camps and designated camping areas. Once you identify where to camp, you can then look at how to connect those points, by building your own route on AllTrails (paid plans), Garmin or alternative map apps.

You'll notice that many of the best multi-day hikes in this region are not a single named trail, but a combination of existing tracks linked together into a logical route.

This approach opens up far more possibilities than relying only on official “Great Walks”, and over time it becomes much easier to design your own multi-day hikes based on distance, terrain, and how far you want to walk each day.

If this is your first time, make sure to check our other blog posts for gear lists and food ideas to help you prepare. And if you’re looking to keep things simple and efficient on the trail, have a look at ultralight Terran Gear designed for exactly this kind of adventure.

Now, go out, explore, and have fun!