Feb 23

Feb 23 Tips for Hiking the Somerset Trail

Maybe the 2nd of January wasn’t a great day to do a hike in dry bush, but we did it anyway and the views were totally worth it.

The Somerset Trail in D'Aguilar National Park is about an hour from the Sunshine Coast and also an hour from Brisbane so it is a perfect day trip from either starting point.

It is a perfect hiking destination for those who want to explore the natural beauty of Queensland. The trail will take around 3-4 hours to complete, depending on your pace. The best time to visit the Somerset Trail is during the cooler months of the year, from March to November, when the temperatures are more comfortable for hiking – unlike our visit in the peak of summer!

Getting there:

To get to the Somerset Trail, you need to drive to the southern entrance of D'Aguilar National Park. The park is easily accessible by car, and there is ample parking available at the trailhead – called The Gantry. Once you reach the trailhead, you can start your hike, following the well-marked trail.

The trail itself:

Around a 13km loop (the best kind of hike because there is no back-tracking!), the trail moves you through various terrains.

The rainforest of palms and ferns changes to timberland, scribbly gum and pine forest as you make your way to the lookout.

All the recommendations are the do the loop anti-clockwise. This means the hike back from the summit is a bit shorter and most of the uphill bits are early on in the walk.

The trail is clearly signposted so there is very little chance of going off-track.

Make sure to bring plenty of water, snacks and sunscreen as there are limited facilities on the trail.

There’s not real view before or after you reach the lookout so make sure you leave enough time to really appreciate it at the top, but also enjoy the sounds and smells of the bush as you walk.

I have read that in spring, there are plenty of wildflowers to see on the trail, but we visited during a very dry summer and everything was just a bit dusty.

The summit of the Somerset Trail offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. On a clear day, you can even see Somerset Dam and Wivenhoe Dam in the distance. The scenery is truly awe-inspiring and makes the long hike worth every step.

NOTE: It's important to be aware that parts of the Somerset Trail are shared with 4WD, dirt bikes and horse riders. Keep an eye out for these vehicles and always give them right of way. It's also important to be mindful of your impact on the environment and stick to the designated trail.