BAROON POCKET DAM to Baroon Lookout:
This 380 hectare lake was completed in 1989 and is the main water supply for Caloundra and Maroochydore. Swimming, fishing, sailing and canoeing are all allowed on the lake. The Dam wall and spillway is accessed from Western Avenue at the southern entrance to Montville. The lakeside picnic area has barbecues, toilets, and a playground. There are viewing platforms, barbecues and toilets near the spillway. A 2.4klm walking circuit leads from the car park below the spillway into the Obi Obi Gorge along a cool rainforest trail.
2.2km one way (1–2 hours) Class 3 (moderate)
Starting at the Baroon Pocket Dam the walk passes through open woodland ridges and crosses bridges and boardwalks over palm and vine-forested streams. The Narrows Lookout provides a unique view over the Narrows Gorge. Further up the track a boardwalk is in place to protect the habitat of the rare hip-pocket frog Assa darlingtoni. Walk up out of the gully to the Baroon lookout for views of Obi Obi Gorge, Baroon Pocket Dam and its catchment.
Baroon Pocket Dam to Flaxton walkers’ camp
- Distance: 16.5km one way
- Time: 7 hours
- Features:
- bridges crossing palm and vine-forested streams
- spectacular views of the Narrows Gorge
- boardwalk to protect rare frog habitat
- views of Obi Obi Gorge and Baroon Pocket Dam
- Kondalilla Falls and Obi Obi Creek
KONDALILLA NATIONAL PARK:
The walks start in the picnic area west of the car park. Picnic Creek is a short 400m stroll from the picnic area. The circuit is 2klm and the steps back up the hill from the Falls require a reasonable fitness level however, Kondalilla Falls, where Skene Creek drops 90m into a valley of rainforest is a spectacular sight and worth the effort.
The rock pool at the head of the falls is a nice place to cool off on a warm day. From the Falls there is an additional circuit of 2.7kms which leads you into the valley at the base of the waterfall. If the complete circuit seems too strenuous for you at least venture along the track on the eastern side of the gorge for a few hundred metres as this affords the best view of Kondalilla Falls. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times for bird and wildlife viewing.