Hike at a Glance
Max elevation: 433m
Min elevation: 59m
Total Ascent: 1022m
Hike overview
The Conway Circuit is a 27-kilometre trail winding through Conway National Park in Queensland’s tropical north. Typically tackled over two days, this Grade 4 hike is part of the Whitsunday Trails network and is open to both walkers and mountain bikers. The path meanders through lush rainforest, skirts seasonal creeks, and opens up to distant views of the Whitsunday Islands and surrounding coastal townships. Whether you're there for the solitude, the scenery, or the steady rhythm of your footsteps on the trail, this journey offers a memorable immersion into the region’s natural beauty.
Starting from the Forestry Road car park, the trail follows an old logging route for around 800 metres before reaching the Kingfisher Walk. Though unsuitable for bikes, this short return detour is well worth the effort. The track loops through a dense pocket of rainforest, where giant strangler figs and tulip oaks tower overhead, their roots and trunks forming an almost sculptural network. Back on the main circuit, the path continues to the Wompoo Way junction. Here, hikers can take a side trip to a seasonal creek. The return walk takes about an hour, offering a peaceful break and a chance to explore the forest's quieter corners.
From Wompoo Way, the circuit continues past Impulse Creek. The vegetation begins to shift, moisture-loving Mackay tulip oaks give way to their tougher, drier cousins, while delicate vines are replaced by thick, woody tangles. The contrast is striking, a reminder of the many microclimates within the park. Eventually, you’ll arrive at Repulse Creek camp, nestled among the trees. It's a quiet spot to pitch your tent, listen to the evening chorus of frogs and insects, and rest up for the next stretch.
The second day begins with easier terrain, the trail winding through open forest and crossing two creeks before becoming steeper. As the track climbs towards Mount Hayward, it traces a ridge line, offering increasingly expansive views. The summit is a satisfying reward, cool breezes and sweeping vistas help make the climb worthwhile. From here, the circuit continues along the ridge to Bloodwood camp, a site perched with views stretching beyond Jubilee Pocket and out to the Whitsundays.
From Bloodwood, the final leg to Airlie Beach follows a coastal ridge through sparse vegetation twisted with vines. The forest here has a weather-beaten resilience, growing in rocky soils and shaped by sun, wind, and the occasional cyclone. A tough ascent through low vine thickets leads to a descent into taller forest. Along the way, a side track leads to Honeyeater Lookout. The return trip adds roughly an hour and a half, but the outlook, from Cannonvale to the Dryander Range and a scatter of Whitsunday Islands, is hard to pass up.
The descent into Airlie Beach is a gentle end to the journey. Along this stretch, the forest is dotted with grasstrees, cycads and gum trees. If you’re lucky enough to see the grasstrees in bloom, keep an eye out for honeyeaters darting in to feed. It’s a final reminder of the richness and diversity that defines the Conway Circuit, an experience shaped as much by the subtle changes in the landscape as by the effort it takes to traverse it.
- All trails on the Conway circuit are shared-use, with the exception of the Kingfisher walk which is accessible to walkers only.
Content use
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Walk map and GPX file
Max elevation: 433 m
Min elevation: 59 m
Total climbing: 1022 m
Total descent: -1174 m
Getting there
Getting to the trailhead: Conway National Park.
Take Shute Harbour Road to Brandy Creek Road and then Forestry Road car park at the start of the Conway National Park.
Closest towns to this walk: Airlie Beach, Bowen, Cannonvale, Hamilton Island, Jubilee Pocket, Proserpine, Shute Harbour
About the region
Conway National Park spans approximately 75km of coastline, taking in the entire Cape Conway peninsula. The park includes the rainforest-clad Conway Range, which protects the largest area of lowland tropical rainforest in Queensland outside Tropical North Queensland. Hoop pines grow on coastal ridges and in damp gullies, emerging above the rainforest canopy. Rugged, steep, rocky cliffs provide a spectacular 35km-long backdrop to the Whitsunday Passage and islands.
Dry vine thicket, mangroves, open forests with a grasstree understorey, paperbark and pandanus woodlands, and patches of lowland rainforest with twisted vines grow in the park. It is home to 2 of Australia's mound-building birds, the Australian brush-turkey and the orange-footed scrubfowl.
Rising steeply behind busy coastal settlements, the Conway Range appears impenetrable. Through climate fluctuations over tens of thousands of years, the rainforest has persisted here, providing a continuous refuge for wildlife.
The park's vegetation is very similar to that on the Whitsunday islands because thousands of years ago the sea level rose, drowning coastal valleys and creating the islands. For thousands of years, the Ngaro and Gia people roamed these forests, harvesting riches of the land and the adjoining sea country. Today the adjacent waters are protected in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Similar walks nearby
Looking for more walks in or near Conway National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
Track grade
Grade 4 (Hard) - Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.
Explore safe
Plan ahead and hike safely! Carry enough water, pack layers for changing conditions, and bring safety gear like a torch, PLB, and reliable communication device. Check official sources for trail updates, closures, and access requirements, and review local weather and bushfire advice. Most importantly, share your plans with someone before you go. Being prepared makes for a safer and more enjoyable hike! Stay Safe, Explore More, and Always #ExploreSafe.
Packing checklists
What you carry in your pack depends on factors like weather, terrain, and your adventure type. Not sure what to bring? My free planning, food, and packing checklists are a great starting point, covering day hikes, overnight trips, and multi-day adventures. Use them to customise your kit and always prioritise safety.
Let someone know
Before heading out, take a moment to fill out your trip intentions form. It’s a quick way to share your hike details with family or friends. If something goes wrong, they can notify emergency services, ensuring a faster response and peace of mind. Stay safe and enjoy your adventure
Suggest an edit
Spotted a change on this trail? Maybe there are new features, the route has shifted, or the trail is permanently closed. Whatever the update, I’d love your input. Your feedback helps fellow hikers stay informed and ensures that our trail info stays fresh and reliable.
Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.