Trail to adventure: Hiking and mountain biking near Caloundra

If you enjoy a good dose of outdoor adventure, the southern end of the Sunshine Coast is the place to be. 

With a long list of mountain biking and hiking trails within a 30-minute drive from Endeavour Foundation’s latest $2.2 million Little Mountain Prize Home, conveniently positioned on the outskirts of Caloundra which makes the perfect base for fun family escapades. 

Sugar Bag Rd Mountain Bike Trails

Just a five-minute drive or 10-minute bike ride from our Prize Home, this well-designed mountain bike park offers a network of interconnecting trails designed for all levels of rider. What sets this park apart are more than sixty wooden features you’ll find on the trails, including some gnarly ramps, see-saws and log rolls. But if you think that might be a little (or a lot) beyond your skillset, most of the trails have the option to take the ‘A-line’ over the obstacle or the easier ‘B-line’ around it for a cruisier ride. Another plus is that the park also features one of the only bitumen pump tracks on the Sunshine Coast.

Where: Sugar Bag Road Mountain Bike Trails, Sugar Bag Road, Caloundra West. 
Parking: There’s a carpark that can be accessed off Sugar Bag Road.
Amenities: Toilets, picnic tables and BBQs.

Currimundi Creek Loop

Just a 10-minute-drive from our latest Prize Home paradise, you’ll find the equally special Currimundi Lake and the Currimundi Creek Trail. This 3.8km loop trail which takes you along both sides of the broad lake section of Currimundi Creek and onto the beach to cross the creek mouth. It’s easy enough for the whole family and perfect for those that love a water view when exercising. 

Safety Tip: Crossing the inlet should only be done when the water level is low and should be avoided when the water is deep or there are strong currents. 

Where: You can access the walk on the southern side of the lake on Westaway Parade near the surf beach or further along near Frank McIvor Park.

Parking: Street parking is available.

Ferny Forest Mountain Bike Trail

Just six minutes west of the M1 at the Caloundra exit, this fun, family-friendly trail really offers something for everyone.

Weaving its way through the aptly named Ferny Forest on the edge of Ewan Maddock Dam, the picturesque and often bumpy trail requires just the right amount of skill to keep things interesting while still being achievable for children or riders with limited experience.  

Allow about two hours to complete the 10 km trail, or longer if you want to stop for a picnic, or simply take a well-earned rest, along the way. There are a couple of spots along the way that are perfect for a rest stop, offering beautiful views across the dam.

Where: 2316 Steve Irwin Way, Landsborough. 
Parking: A large car park that can be accessed off Steve Irwin Way.
Amenities: Toilets and picnic tables are free to use. There is no water on site, but if you’re lucky, you might time it right and see the coffee cart in the carpark for a cheeky latté instead. 

Kawana Forest Walks

Only 12 minutes from Little Mountain, the Kawana Forest offers a peaceful escape from the bustle of the coast. The walks through the reserve provide a great opportunity to experience a ‘littoral rainforest’ of paperbarks, eucalypts, fan palms, vines, ferns and orchids. This type of coastal rainforest is listed as critically endangered (mostly due to coastal development) which makes the preservation of areas like this all the more important.

The 1.7km Kawana Forest Nature Walk, accessed off the Kawana Forest Walkway, is an easy circuit trail through the forest, while the longer Kawana Forest River Trail takes you across the forest to Warana. This 4.3km journey (one way) is popular with hikers, trail runners and mountain bikers. 

Where: Access the walks from the southern end of the forest at Lillypilly Ct, Tulipwood Ct or Lemonwood St. 
Parking: Street parking available.
Amenities: There are picnic tables, BBQs and a playground in White Cedar Park adjacent to Lillypilly Ct.

Sunshine Coast Coastal Pathway

This spectacular coastal pathway spans for 73 kilometres, from Bells Creek south of Caloundra all the way to Coolum at the northern end of the coast. Whether you’re walking, running or cycling, the pathway is a stunning way to get out into the fresh air, enjoy the beautiful surroundings, and get active. 

The pathway is broken up into sections called ‘connections’ and the ‘Caloundra Connection’ is arguably one of the most picturesque (and possibly challenging) taking in the sparkling water of Pumicestone Passage and the Caloundra headland.

Beginning at Bulcock Beach, the Caloundra Connection takes you along the passage past Happy Valley and over the boardwalk to Kings Beach where you’ll find the heritage listed Kings Beach Bathing Pavilion and ocean pool. 

Continue up the hill and around the breathtaking headland and you arrive at the Shelly Beach rockpools before winding your way over the hill to Moffat Beach. 

If you still have the energy and inclination, you can continue onto the Currimundi Connection of the pathway past Dicky Beach to Lake Currimundi. Otherwise, save that leg and your legs for next time. 

Where: Start at Bulcock Beach, Caloundra, or access the pathway anywhere along the way. 
Parking: Street parking and council parking is available at each of the beaches.
Amenities: There are public toilets located at Happy Valley, Kings Beach, Shelly Beach and Moffatt Beach. 

Glasshouse Mountains Hiking

Just 30 minutes from Caloundra is the hiking playground known as the Glasshouse Mountains. If you’re an experienced climber you can take on the very challenging scramble to the summit of Mount Tibrogargan or Mount Beerwah. But if you’re looking for something that’s a little easier, but just as spectacular, Mount Ngungun might be your peak. Take the 3km trail upward and you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Mount Coonowrin, Tibrogargan and Beerwah. Looking out over the spectacular landscape, it’s easy to understand why this place is spiritually significant to the local Gubbi Gubbi people.

Your adventure paradise awaits

Now that we’ve got your attention with the best hiking and mountain biking trails the Sunshine Coast has to offer, we’ve got the secret to making this part of your everyday routine for just $10.

When you win Endeavour Foundation’s latest $2.2 million Prize Home paradise, you’ll be all set to sample the amazing outdoor adventures that await in the area. Not only will you have the perfect base at Little Mountain, but you’ll also have a luxury 7-seater Mercedes Benz GLB SUV in the driveway ready to take you wherever your heart desires.

To explore this Prize Home in person, you’ll find directions and address details here. 

Or if you just can’t wait, take a virtual tour now.