The best walks and hikes in Beerwah State Forest

Brown Loop branches away from the Main Track into a quieter section of forest around Ewen Maddock Dam. After rain, lower sections can become muddy or hold water for short periods.

Pink Loop is a shorter circuit branching from the Main Track near the northern foreshore of Ewen Maddock Dam. The trail follows a relatively easy route through bushland and lakeside vegetation, with a mix of compacted dirt and gravel surfaces underfoot.

Tallowwood Track is a shorter walking-only path branching from the main Ewen Maddock Dam track network near Maddock Park. The route begins from a boardwalk beside the water before continuing through lakeside vegetation lined with tallowwood, paperbark, melaleuca, and eucalypt trees. Compared to the wider multi-use Main Track, this section feels quieter and more enclosed, with softer ground underfoot and more shade along the route. The track was recently upgraded following major wet-season damage, including resurfacing and drainage improvements.

Mount Coochin trail is a short but varied walk that connects the mountain’s twin peaks via a narrow saddle. It’s a faint, often unmarked path that climbs steadily through open forest to the first summit, then drops into a steep gully before a more rugged ascent, sometimes involving light scrambling, up to the second peak. The route is easy to lose in places and requires care on the descent, so having your offline komoot GPS route handy is a good idea to stay on course. The short navigation is well worth the effort, where you can enjoy beautiful sweeping views across the Glass House Mountains from both summits.

The East Peak is the more open and exposed summit of Mount Coochin, featuring a rocky outcrop that provides wider, more expansive views across Glass House Mountains National Park and out toward the coastal plain. Reached via a steep descent and climb through the saddle, the summit offers fantastic long-distance views over the western peak, making it the primary vantage point of the twin peaks. The terrain near the top is rugged with light scrambling, but it is rewarding, with wide panoramas over the surrounding volcanic peaks and lowlands.

The West Peak of Mt. Coochin is a rocky, partially enclosed summit within Glass House Mountains National Park, where scattered boulders and low vegetation frame the view toward the East Peak and surrounding ranges. From the top, the view is beautiful, with the ridge leading across to the second summit, where you can see the steep saddle and the route between the two peaks.

This trailhead is a small, unsealed gravel area located off 2672 Old Gympie Road (Beerwah) and serves as the primary, albeit limited, access point for the Mt. Coochin Twin Peaks trail. Access involves driving up a residential-looking driveway to a gate with a National Park sign, so it’s a good idea to use GPS to be sure you are in the right spot. The Mount Coochin Twin Peaks route begins with a rough fire track that quickly leads into the forest, then splits toward the East and West peaks. The East Peak track is generally open; however, the West Peak section, which forms part of the informal loop, is periodically closed due to Phytophthora disease management. Access can change at short notice, and signage is often not updated, so it’s best to check current conditions and alerts via the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service before setting out: https://parks.qld.gov.au/parks/glass-house-mountains

Beach area at Ewan Maddock Dam. Swimming is allowed. There is also a parking lot nearby, some public toilets as well as swings and a playground. You can also have access to free public BBQs and picnic tables.