Greenes Falls

The Greenes Falls track is the most popular longer walk at Mount Glorious, and it is easy to see why. In a little over four kilometres it takes you from the picnic ground at Maiala deep into cool subtropical rainforest, down to a quiet lookout above the falls, and back again. QPWS describes the destination as a peaceful lookout above Greenes Falls, reached through cool subtropical rainforest. This guide covers the route, what to expect and how to make the most of it.

The walk at a glance

• Distance: 4.3 kilometres return
• Time: allow 2 hours of walking
• Grade: Grade 3
• Type: return walk; start and finish at the same point, returning on the same path
• Start: Maiala day-use area, Mount Glorious Road
• Facilities: toilets, picnic tables, shelter and barbecues at Maiala; none on the track

How to get to the start

Greenes Falls is in the southern section of D'Aguilar National Park, about 42 kilometres from Brisbane's city centre. The access roads are sealed and suitable for conventional vehicles.

From the Brisbane suburb of The Gap, take Mount Nebo Road (tourist route 8) to Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre, then continue north-west for another 30 kilometres to the car park at Maiala, on the north-west edge of the Mount Glorious township. From Samford, it is about 19 kilometres via Mount Glorious Road.

The route, step by step

QPWS describes the route like this: begin walking along the Rainforest circuit from the eastern edge of the Maiala day-use area, on the eastern side of Mount Glorious Road. Branch off onto the Cypress Grove circuit, which begins at Browns Road, and from the Cypress Grove circuit take the Greenes Falls track.

1. Maiala to Browns Road

The walk begins on the Rainforest circuit, among strangler figs, palms and climbing vines. Browns Road is roughly halfway around this circuit. This first section is a good warm-up and a chance to tune your ears to the forest.

2. Crossing Browns Road

The track crosses Browns Road. QPWS specifically asks walkers to take care here. Stop, look and listen, keep children close, and cross together.

3. Cypress Grove to the falls track

Across the road, the Cypress Grove circuit weaves through large eucalypts, vines and a small grove of native cypress pines. The Greenes Falls track branches off the circuit and heads into the rainforest.

4. Down to the lookout

From the junction, the track travels through cool subtropical rainforest. The walk to the falls is mostly downhill. Look out for buttress roots, tree ferns and mossy logs, and listen for running water as you approach the lookout above the falls.

5. The return

You return on the same path. Because the outward walk is mostly downhill, the return is mostly uphill. Take it steadily, rest when you need to and drink water. QPWS suggests extending your return by branching off along the 350 metre Cypress Grove circuit, which weaves through a peaceful grove of native cypress trees.

What you will see

The rainforest

The walk passes through some of the richest rainforest on the D'Aguilar Range. The highest parts of the range receive about two-thirds more rain than the foothills, and north of Mount Glorious the forest grows on rich basalt soils. Expect strangler figs, vines, palms, ferns and fungi. In patches, the canopy closes overhead and the light turns green.

The transition forest

On the Cypress Grove section you pass through taller, more open forest with large eucalypts and native cypress pines. The contrast with the rainforest is a reminder of how fire, soil and moisture shape the vegetation on the range. QPWS notes that rainforest pockets are mostly restricted to southern slopes protected from fire.

Wildlife

Stay alert and you may see or hear:

• Brush-turkeys scratching mounds of leaf litter.
• Bowerbirds. Male regent bowerbirds are black and golden, satin bowerbirds glossy blue-black.
• Noisy pittas, more often heard than seen, with a whistled call.
• Land mullets, large glossy black skinks, basking in patches of sun.
• Red-necked pademelons, small wallaby-like marsupials, especially near dusk.

See our birds guide and wildlife guide for more.

When to go

The falls depend on rain. After a wet spell, typically in summer, the water flows strongly and the forest is at its lushest, but tracks are muddier and leeches are more common. In a dry winter, the flow can be light, though walking conditions are often comfortable and the air is cool and clear.

Go early in the day if you can. You will have cooler conditions for the uphill return, the best chance of birds and a quieter track. On weekends, Maiala's car parks can fill by late morning.

Before you set off, check QPWS park alerts. Tracks can close after storms when trees come down or for maintenance.

What to bring

The walk is only two hours, but the uphill return and the humidity can catch people out. Pack:

• At least one litre of water per person, more in summer
• Enclosed shoes with grip; the track can be slippery
• A light rain jacket and a warm layer
• Insect repellent for leeches and mosquitoes
• A snack for the lookout
• A phone with a downloaded map; reception is patchy
• Binoculars if you are interested in birds

There are no bins in the park, so carry out all your rubbish.

Combine it with other walks

Greenes Falls fits neatly with the other Maiala tracks:

• Add Cypress Grove. On the way back, branch off along the short Cypress Grove section for a change of forest.
• Finish the Rainforest circuit. Rather than retracing the whole route from Browns Road, complete the Rainforest circuit back to Maiala to see the second half of the loop.
• Drive to the outlooks. After lunch, continue to Westridge Outlook and Wivenhoe Outlook for wide views over the ranges and Lake Wivenhoe.

Leave no trace

Everything in the national park is protected. QPWS asks visitors not to take or interfere with plants or animals, not to collect or bring in firewood, not to feed wildlife and to stay on designated tracks. Keep noise down so that others can enjoy the forest too.