Hiking and Walking Trails
Stroll a treetop boardwalk and experience first class views of the city from above.
Walking trails for all fitness levels
Walking is one of the best ways to explore Rockhampton’s scenic spaces, while enjoying our sunshine soaked subtropical climate. From leisurely strolls along Rockhampton’s Riverside Precinct right through to bushwalks, we’ve put together a list of Rockhampton’s top walking tracks to suit all fitness levels. Don't forget your camera and share your images with #ExploreRockhampton.
Mount Archer Nurim Circuit
Pilbeam Drive, Rockhampton | 14km from the Rockhampton CBD
Mount Archer Nurim Circuit is a walk not to be missed when you’re visiting Rockhampton. Extending 25 metres off the side of Mount Archer, the 500 metre treetop boardwalk offers stunning views of Rockhampton and the ranges beyond. At sunrise and sunset, the views are amplified with spectacular pink, orange and purple hues along the skyline.
Sunsets views from Mount Archer (Nurim)
Rockhampton Riverside
Quay Street, Rockhampton | Rockhampton CBD
Rockhampton’s Riverside Precinct has a boardwalk that juts out over the Fitzroy River, providing stunning views that capture the beauty of the river and Mount Archer National Park towering in the distance. From the boardwalk, glimpses of Rockhampton’s history can also be captured, with the strip of heritage buildings along Quay Street forming one of Queensland’s longest National Trust heritage-listed street.
Take a stroll and enjoy the river views or download our CBD Heritage Walk and learn about the town’s gold rush history and how this formed many of the buildings you see along Quay Street today.
Spacious paths with spectacular views in the heart of the CBD.
Gangulu Trails
Byrnes Parade, Mount Morgan | 40km from the Rockhampton CBD
The Gangulu Trails are found around Mount Morgan's No 7 Dam and are made up of 20+kms of dual walking and mountain biking trails. Take your time checking out these rugged trails while keeping an eye out for the bikes then head into town for a delicious country pub meal and lay down the picnic blanket under the shade trees at Mount Morgan's No 7 Dam Recreational Area.
Bush trails for walking or bike riding.
Huish Drive Walk
Huish Drive, Rockhampton | Rockhampton CBD
If you’re looking for a longer riverside walk, start at the riverbank on Quay Street and follow the series of giant Banyan Figs along the river towards Victoria Parade and behind the 2nd World War Memorial Aquatic Centre.
A tip from the locals, do this walk in time for a breakfast pit stop when you reach the CBD.
River views in the heart of the CBD.
Rockhampton Botanic Gardens
100 Spencer Street, Rockhampton | 3km from the Rockhampton CBD
The Rockhampton Botanic Gardens are one of the oldest and most established public gardens in Queensland. There are many walking tracks throughout the Gardens, with a number of iconic plantings including the 150 year old canopy of Banyan figs and avenue of Bunya pines. If you consider yourself a green thumb, Rockhampton’s Botanic Gardens walking tracks are ones not to be missed.
Stunning walking trails, a kids playground and even a cafe for a coffee break.
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Kershaw Gardens
Moores Creek Road, Rockhampton | 2km from the Rockhampton CBD
A flat path circuit makes this lovely stretch of picturesque parkland an easily accessible and enjoyable amble. The northern section features an impressive man-made waterfall. Check out our blog on 'Everything you need to know about Kershaw Gardens' for more information.
Take in the stunning waterfall views, extensive walking trails and loads of green space.
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Hiking trails for the endurance lovers
Hiking through national parks surrounding the region will delight the fittest bush walker or those just out for an overnight caravan or camp spot. We've put together our list of the best hikes and bush walks around Rockhampton and its surrounds.
Mount Archer (Nurim) National Park
Directions to Mount Archer National Park
Many walking and hiking tracks of varying difficulty in Mount Archer (Nurim) National Park provides a challenge for early morning and late afternoon fitness fanatics, with their efforts rewarded by stunning views and gentle breezes on the way up or down the summit.>
- Nurim Circuit| Easy, wheelchair accessible | 500m distance, allow 20 minutes
- Bracken Fern Way | Easy | 1.4km return, allow 45 minutes
- Sleipner Lookout Walk | Moderate | 2.4km return, allow 1 hour
- Zamia Walk | Difficult | 14km one way, allow up to 5 hours
Mount Etna Caves National Park
Directions to Mount Etna Caves National Park
Self-guided and guided tours take you through dry rainforest ecosystem and limestone caves and outcrops. You can even take a Bat Cleft Tour along the Mount Etna Walk, and learn about one of the largest maternity sites for little bent-wing bats. The Mount Etna Walk is closed to independent walkers from 1 November to the end of February for bat breeding season. You can still take the Bat Cleft Tour during this time.
Tip: the viewing platform above is on the Mount Etna Walk. To get to this walk, you need to travel along Rossmoya Road and turn left after the sign. See the National Parks map for further directions.
- Cammoo Circuit| Easy | 600m distance, allow 45 minutes
- Mount Etna Walk | Moderate | 2.4km return, allow 1 hour
- Bat Cleft Tours | Moderate | 2.4km return, allow 3 hours
Byfield National Park
Directions to Byfield National Park
Just one hour's drive north east of Rockhampton, you'll find yourself surrounded by stunning rainforest with clear, cold creeks and waterholes, coastal scenery, sand dunes and remote camping spots. Most picnic spots and walks are easily reached but some areas are 4WD only. Check out the Byfield Discovery Guide for a full list of hikes, camp grounds and 4WD tracks.
- Venusta Circuit, Upper Stoney| Easy | 900m return, allow 20 minutes
- Stoney Creek Circuit, Upper Stoney | Moderate-difficult | 4.3km return, allow 4 hours
- Bowenia Rainforest Circuit, Water Park Creek | Easy | 1.2km return, allow 30 minutes
Blackdown Tableland National Park
Directions to Blackdown Tableland National Park
Two hours drive west of Rockhampton will take you to Blackdown Tableland National Park located in the Central Highlands. Here you will find deep gorges, breath-taking lookouts and dreamy waterfalls. The Blackdown Tablelannd is the traditional home of the Ghungalu people. It is within this national park that you will come across rock faces displaying traditional Ghungalu artwork - a vivid reminder of their special culture to this area.
The national park features a number of walking and hiking tracks to enjoy including the Gudda Gumoo Walk, which provides one of the most spectacular and rewarding views of a water fall and watering holes at the end of it's 2km hike (one way).
This walk requires a moderate to high fitness level, particularly for the lookout walk, which involves short, steep slopes, stairs and loose surfaces and the gorge walk, which includes 240 stairs leading to the base of the waterfall. Be sure to allow yourself at least 90 minutes for the lookout return walk, or two hours for the gorge return walk.
- Goon Goon Dina Wal| Moderate | 2.5km return, allow 1.5 hours
- Mook Mook Walk | Moderate-difficult | 1.2km one way, allow 25 minutes
- Gudda Gumoo Walk | Difficult | 1.8km one way to the lookout, allow 45 minutes | 2km one way to the water, allow 1 hour
Bouldercombe Gorge Resource Reserve
Directions to Bouldercombe Gorge Resource Reserve
Just a 25 minute drive south west of Rockhampton is Bouldercombe Gorge Falls. This Reserve trail is a 2.7km lightly trafficked outback trail that features a waterfall and is recommended for very experienced adventurers.
