Mapleton National Park camping is a chance to relax and unplug from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives.
How to get to Mapleton National Park
Located approximately 105 km north of Brisbane is the Mapleton National Park. A beautiful ‘get-away’ at the northern end of the Blackall Range, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Take the Burce Highway to Nambour, then follows the signs to Mapleton (approx 11kms from Nambour)
Normal car or 4WD?
Providing access to a Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk entrance point and short walks is Delicia Road that is an all weather road accessible by conventional vehicles. The Mapleton day-use area and southern entrance to the Gheerulla Trail Bike Area is accessible by conventional vehicles in dry conditions only, via Delicia Road and a short section of Mapleton Forest Drive. But be careful as this road does become slippery when it is or has been raining.
Point Glorious day-use area is accessible by four-wheel-drive vehicle in dry conditions. From Mapleton township travel north on Mapleton Forest Drive, Buckby Road and Point Glorious Road. Alternatively, travel west from Yandina via Cooloolabin, Buckby and Point Glorious Roads.
What’s NEW at Mapleton National Park?
Mapleton National Park has recently benefited from a $250,000 revamp of the day-use area and surrounds by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) to improve visitor experiences. There are now more open, grassy environment, a separate carpark, new trail networks, new picnic tables and better signage.
Horse riding in Mapleton is an important community activity with a strong history and as such there has been an upgrade with dedicated horse-riding facilities including a new, separate carpark for horse floats.
Dedicated trailbike riding facilities include a new, separate carpark for easier access to the Gheerulla Trail Bike Circuit.
For the picnic lovers, there has been a complete revamp of the park’s day-use area with the picnic area redesigned for a more peaceful setting. QPWS has improved the access to toilet facilities for people with disabilities, as well as upgrading barbecues and picnic tables.
Regular visitors will be pleased to see the extensive trail network, with 23km of shared-use trail for walking, horse-riding and mountain-bike riding, and an added 9.5km of low-grade mountain-bike track between the day use area and Point Glorious.
Mapleton National Park Camping – Gheerulla
Mapleton National Park has a small camping area at Gheerulla Creek beside the entrance to the Gheerulla Trail Bike area. Gheerulla camping area is close to the creek and provides three camping sites, picnic tables, toilets and barbecues. This small camping area is not suitable for caravans.
If you plan to use the barbecues, bring your own milled firewood, as it is illegal to collect wood from the forest. Preferably bring and use a fuel stove.
Camping permits are required and fees apply.
- Find out more about Gheerulla camping area.
- Book your campsite online.
- Book your Great Walk campsite online.
- If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.
Access to Gheerulla camping area is four-wheel-drive only in dry conditions.
Campground features: Compact bush setting next to Gheerulla Creek.
Location: From the Bruce Highway take the Eumundi-Kenilworth Road and travel 24 km to the Sam Kelly Road junction, turn left into this road and continue 2 km to the camping area.
Access: A four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended for accessing the Gheerulla camping area. From the Eumindi-Kenilworth Road, turnoff onto Sam Kelly Road and travel 2km to the camping area—this gravel road becomes narrow and has been flood damaged.
Number of sites: Three numbered sites. Each site has a maximum capacity of six people.
Campsites are suitable for: Tent camping beside your car or camper trailer. Caravans are not recommended because of limited turn-around area.
Campsite surface: Dirt.
Facilities: Picnic tables, toilets and wood barbecues.
Essentials to bring: Drinking water (creek water is unsuitable for drinking), insect repellent, sunscreen and rubbish bags (no bins provided). If you plan to use the barbecues bring your own clean, milled firewood. Do not collect wood from the forest. Preferably bring a fuel stove.
Open fires: Allowed (except when fire bans or prohibitions apply) in barbecues only.
Generators: Not permitted.
To reach the Gheerulla camping area and northern access to the trail bike area from Mapleton, continue through Mapleton on Obi Obi Road for 19 km and turn right into the Eumundi – Kenilworth Road. After 5 km turn right into Sam Kelly Road. The camping area is 2 km down the road.
To reach the Gheerulla camping area and trail bike area from the north, take the Eumundi-Kenilworth Road turnoff from the Bruce Highway and travel 24 km, turn left into Sam Kelly Road and continue 2 km to the camping area.
