Maiala Rainforest Tour

After picking you up, we drive up to Mount Glorious. The winding road to the Maiala walking track goes through the subtropical rainforest of the D’Aguilar National Park. This scenic drive has spectacular and stunning natural features.

Starting at the Rainforest circuit we will wander through a magical forest of strangler figs, ferns, palms, fungi, and climbing lianas. We will admire the majestic beauty of an old Sydney blue gum, a magnificent survivor of the eucalypt forest that once dominated this area. The characteristic calls of the Whipbird, Catbird, and Woompo Dove will hopefully help you to spot them. Besides the countless little birds, you might be lucky to see skinks, Land Mullets or Lace Monitors.

We will continue towards The Green Falls along the boardwalk and admire giant fig trees, twisted roots and colourful flowers and fungi decorating the forest floor. Pademelons and log runners can be seen creeping out from the shady undergrowth. Near the creeks, we will spot the holes where the endangered Mount Glorious spiny crayfish, a shy, nocturnal creature can be found. There can be water found in the waterfall year-round but is at its best after heavy rain. The walk to the falls is mostly downhill, so be prepared for an uphill return trip.

We continue on the Cypress Grove Track. This is a short walk branching off the Rainforest circuit. The walk weaves through large eucalypt trees, vines, and a small grove of native cypress pines. We may spot white-browed scrubwrens darting in and out of the disturbed leaf litter on the hunt for small insects. We will also be on the lookout to find one of their beautiful nests build in the vines. Often the Catbird can be heard and seen on this track.

We will walk back to the Rainforest on our way to the recreation area. On our way, we will notice open spaces in the canopy. After heavy rain and storms, some big trees fall over. These patches are ideal for a new generation of trees to create a new canopy. We will have our lunch and refreshments at the beautiful picnic area.

At the recreation area, we will get the kettle boiling for some coffee or thee. It is a wonderful place to enjoy a picnic. We can admire the big Bunya Pine and a wonderful Moreton Bay fig. There will be plenty of birdlife around us to admire.