The best walks and hikes in Mount Samson Nature Refuge

D’Aguilar National Park protects about 36,000 hectares of forested mountains and valleys northwest of Brisbane, spanning the D’Aguilar Range that includes a mix of subtropical rainforest, eucalypt woodland, and steep sandstone escarpments. It's one of the closest large natural areas to the city, making it popular for bushwalking, mountain biking, and scenic drives through this beautiful area.

This track is a relatively challenging bushwalk that leads through beautiful eucalypt forest and pockets of subtropical rainforest to the crash site of a 1977 aircraft. There is some uneven terrain, a few creek crossings, and a steep descent near the end, with some sections becoming difficult to follow due to overgrowth or fallen trees. Carrying a paper map or your komoot offline GPS route is recommended, as navigation can be less straightforward in parts of the forest.

The Piper Comanche Wreck is the remains of a light aircraft that crashed in March 1977 after striking trees in the dense rainforest near Mount D’Aguilar. The wreckage lies scattered here in this secluded gully and has been left largely in place as a quiet memorial within the bush. It is now a well-known bushwalking destination, surrounded by dense rainforest and eucalypt forest.

Lawton Road is a rural access road in the Dundas/Northbrook area of Queensland, running near Northbrook Mountain within D’Aguilar National Park. It provides access to sections of the park’s trail network, including routes used for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking around the mountain. Along the way, you’ll be surrounded by dense bushland; however, keep an eye out for brief clearings in the trees where you can catch a beautiful glimpse of Lake Wivenhoe in the distance.

Love Creek Falls is a tall, impressive waterfall that drops in a long, narrow cascade into a rocky basin, enclosed by steep, forested slopes. When flowing well, the water threads down the rock face into clear pools below, creating a peaceful, secluded atmosphere, perfect for a scenic break to capture a few memorable photos.

Cedar Creek Falls is a secluded waterfall reached by following Cedar Creek upstream through dense forest and rocky creek beds. The falls drop over a rugged rock face into a clear plunge pool, surrounded by boulders and shaded by overhanging vegetation. Conditions vary with rainfall, but when flowing well, the combination of cascades, rock pools, and the quiet gorge setting makes it a rewarding stop along the creek route.

This track is a roughly 4.7-kilometre return that traces Cedar Creek upstream through dense forest to a pair of secluded waterfalls. The walk feels more like a natural route than a maintained path, weaving along the creek, where you’ll navigate rock hopping, fallen logs, and shifting terrain that keep it engaging from start to finish. Beyond Cedar Creek Falls, the track continues to the taller Love Creek Falls, where the cascades drop into deep, clear pools that create a beautiful, enclosed pocket deep in the gorge. You’ll see plenty of wildlife along the way, including snakes that may be resting under the rocks, so keep an eye on your footing as you explore this beautiful route.

Greenes Falls Track is a beautiful rainforest walking trail through dense subtropical forest with boardwalk sections and tall trees, leading to a lookout above Greenes Falls. Along the way, you'll see plenty of colourful birds, butterflies, reptiles, and keep an eye out for wallabies that live in the rainforest and nearby clearings.