In the heart of the glorious Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Mapleton Falls National Park is a place of scenic beauty and natural treasures, featuring a mix of riparian rainforest and open eucalypt forest.

Find a prime spot on the viewing platform high above the Obi Obi Gorge and Mary River Valley. Take in the endless views of luxuriant green rainforest, piccabeen groves and the top of Mapleton Falls as it begins its 120 metre plunge to the pool below. Look for Australian peregrine falcons soaring and roosting near the waterfall.

Spread out a picnic rug in the shade and enjoy some peaceful downtime in the fresh air, before heading off to explore the forest on the Wompoo Circuit. As you walk, listen out for the wompoo fruit-dove, whose booming call reaches the ground from its feeding sites among the tree-tops.

During warmer months listen for frogs in the pool beside the causeway. Take a close look at rocks around the pool and you’ll see distinctive hexagonal shapes formed by volcanic activity 25 million years ago.