As a follow up to our series on local bushwalks it was suggested we visit Buderim Forest Park which is managed by the Maroochydore Council and only one hour’s drive from Bribie Island. The feature of the park is Buderim Falls otherwise known as Serenity Falls and the walking tracks through forest and picnic areas near the memorial gardens.
There are two walks past the falls one of which is 20 minutes return across Serenity Bridge and the other for the fitness minded is 1.5 hours return along Martins creek through the palm forest. Both are rocky and uneven and slippery after rain so wear good quality shoes or boots on your adventure.
Buderim Mountain was covered with ancient forest when Europeans arrived to cut cedar in 1842 and is still home to an amazing array of plants and animals originating from their ancient rainforest ancestor species that covered Australia in warmer and wetter times thousands of years ago.
The board walk over the creek reveals the ferns, palm sand eucalypts that thrive on the waters of the rocky creek banks. These rocks are basalt boulders from the lava flows of volcanoes that erupted south of Maleny thousands of years ago when only Cranky Lizard and his friends roamed the earth.
Below the basalt is sandstone carved and shaped by the creek into cliffs and overhangs which suggests that 200 million years ago the mountain was swamp or a lake which trapped sand. Many animals like gliders and goannas live in this forest and the black cockatoos and lorikeets feed on the forest fruits and blossoms.
The falls themselves are crystal clear and easily accessible including the under fall cave and ponds. Photos from Serenity Bridge will give you the best memento from the day or selfie Facebook opportunity for those inclined to do so. If it has rained the week before your visit you will get the best photos of the waterfalls in full flight.
Feeling refreshed and attuned with nature after your walk you can explore the modern day town of Buderim which has become so trendy even the hippies are looking cool as they walk past the eateries and boutiques of the main street. The old post office building remains and serves as the tourist information centre and community centre of the town, definitely worth a look to find more local information.
For more directions just head to Buderim and turn left at the main roundabout at the end of the street and follow the signs or use google maps to Buderim Forest Park for a great day out.