Mapleton Falls Lookout from Flaxton

Starting from the intersection of Flaxton Mill Road and Old Mill Lane, Flaxton, this walk takes you to the Mapleton Falls Lookout and back via the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk, visiting Flaxton Walkers Camp and Baxter Falls along the way. The exquisite view from the wooden lookout is bound to erase any regrets or doubts you’ve had from the track. You’ll be able to view the gorgeous waterfall along with the vast green hinterland beyond it, decorated with scenic mountains in the distance. Even if the said view doesn’t satisfy you, the amazing scenery and a rainforest full of wildlife will surely fill in the blanks. Expect to see goannas and be accompanied by the harmonic birdsong throughout the track. You can spend the night at Flaxton Walkers Campsite and make this a multi-day trip as well. The waterfalls are best viewed after rain, but this may lead to muddy sections in parts of the track. Additionally, you can swim near Baxter Falls, but check the water thoroughly before going in. Decent hiking shoes and poles can make your trip a significantly better experience. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Safer Bushwalks
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There

Start	At the intersection of Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk & Flaxton Mill Road (-26.6611251,152.8665502)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Bruce Highway, M1 Turn on to then drive for 330 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Bli Bli Road, 23 and drive for another 1 km Turn left onto Coronation Avenue and drive for another 1.3 km Turn right onto Price Street and drive for another 880 m Keep left and drive for another 60 m Continue onto Nambour Mapleton Road, 23 and drive for another 15.7 km Turn right onto Flaxton Mill Road and drive for another 1.1 km Turn left onto Flaxton Mill Road and drive for another 400 m Turn left onto Old Mill Lane and drive for another 3 m

Track Notes

Getting started
From the intersection of Flaxton Mill Road and Old Mill Lane, head towards the white “National park” sign next to a couple of green signposts, moving perpendicularly away from the road. Pass through the bollard and head towards the woodland gently downhill along the dirt track. Follow the said track(Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk) as it veers left to continue along Mapleton Falls Lookout from Flaxton Track.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk & Flaxton Mill Road Start heading along Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk (a walking track).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This little side trip takes you to the Flaxton Walkers Campsite. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 1.4 km turn right, to head along Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. tiny side trip to Baxter Falls. May require a little bit of rock hopping. Remember to check the water before going in! To start this optional side trip turn sharp right here. On returning from this side trip veer right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 1.6 km continue straight, to head along Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
	After another 1.2 km (at the intersection of Suses Pocket Road & Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk) turn right, to head along Suses Pocket Road (a residential road).
	After another 390 m (at the intersection of Obi Obi Road & Suses Pocket Road) turn left, to head along Obi Obi Road (a highway\|tertiary).
	After another 670 m (at the intersection of Mapleton Falls Road & Obi Obi Road) continue straight, to head along Mapleton Falls Road (a vehicle track). After another 305 m (at the intersection of Johnson Road & Mapleton Falls Road) continue straight, to head along Mapleton Falls Road. After another 580 m pass the toilet (on your right).
	Turn left.
	After another 10 m continue straight. After another 30 m come to "Mapleton Falls Lookout". About 55 m past the end is "Mapleton Falls".
	Turn around here and retrace the main route for 6.2 km to get back to the start.

This little side trip takes you to the Flaxton Walkers Campsite.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 10 m veer left. After another 25 m come to "Flaxton Walkers Camp".
	Continue another 0 m to find Flaxton Walkers Camp at the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 35 m to the main route.

tiny side trip to Baxter Falls. May require a little bit of rock hopping. Remember to check the water before going in!

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 20 m come to a viewpoint. "Baxter falls".
	The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 20 m to the main route.

Terrain

Mapleton Falls Lookout from Flaxton

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	12.5 km
Time	4 h 30 min, 6 h 30 min to 2 days

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route

Camp site: There is one 1.4 km (plus an extra 40 m along side route) from the start.

Toilet: There is one 6.2 km from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Camp site	1.4 km + 40 m	Flaxton Walkers Camp
Toilet	6.2 km	[toilet]

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