Hike at a Glance
Max elevation: 1050m
Min elevation: 999m
Total Ascent: 96m
Hike overview
Creek Trail is a relaxed circuit walk that suits adventurous families looking for an easy outing with a bit of variety. This shared track allows both walking and riding and gently moves through slight inclines, open exposed sections, and a series of creek crossings. At 5 km in length, the grade 3 circuit typically takes around two hours to complete, making it a manageable option for most people while still offering a sense of exploration.
The trail winds through Girraween National Park’s quieter back country, where tall stands of white and red gum trees dominate the landscape. The track is well defined and easy to follow, which makes it ideal for families wanting to enjoy the park without tackling more demanding terrain. There is plenty of space to slow down, take in the surroundings, and enjoy the calm rhythm of moving through the bush.
Spring transforms the trail with a colourful display of wildflowers that attract a wide range of birds and animals, so binoculars are well worth packing. In the cooler months, listen for the smooth and varied calls of the superb lyrebird, often heard before it is seen. A stop along Bald Rock Creek is a good chance to rest and take in the sounds of the water, and if you sit quietly, you may spot native wildlife coming down for a drink.
Track grade
Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.
Practical information
- There are no wheelchair accessible facilities along the track or at the summit.
- Girraween National Park is open 24 hours a day, allowing for early starts or late finishes if you are prepared.
- Check current park alerts before your visit for the latest information on access, closures, and track conditions.
Walk map and GPX file
Max elevation: 1050 m
Min elevation: 999 m
Total climbing: 96 m
Total descent: -96 m
GPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.
Explore safely
Planning this hike? Most incidents develop before you even start. Safe outcomes depend on how navigation, hydration, environment, load and judgement work together. Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Hiking Safety Systems Foundations. Then use the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.
Leave a trip plan
Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.
Planning checklists
Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.
Getting there
Getting to the trailhead: Girraween National Park.
Creek Trail is one of the southern walks in Girraween National Park, located on the Queensland and New South Wales border, about 260 km by road or roughly 3.5 hours south west of Brisbane. Mobile reception can be unreliable in and around the park, so it is a good idea to screen shot directions before setting out.
There are three access routes to the Creek Trail trailhead. The northern and western approaches are suitable for conventional vehicles, while the southern approach via Mount Norman Road from Wallangarra requires a 4WD beyond the Mount Norman day use area.
From Stanthorpe, the western entrance is the most direct option, taking around 30 to 45 minutes. Turn onto Pyramids Road and follow this winding bitumen road for about 9 km east through the Wyberba Valley to the Girraween visitor information building. Continue a further 5 km along the unsealed park road, then turn right onto Mount Norman Road at the park boundary. The trailhead is about 500 m along this road.
The northern entrance from Stanthorpe takes around 40 to 50 minutes. Turn onto Sugarloaf Road, which becomes Eukey Road, and drive about 15 km via Storm King Dam towards Eukey. About 1 km before reaching Eukey, turn onto Breens Road, drive 2.5 km, then turn onto Pyramids Road. Follow this road for around 6 km to the northern park entrance, then turn left and continue 500 m along Mount Norman Road to reach the trailhead.
If travelling from Tenterfield, the southern entrance begins at Wallangarra. Cross to the eastern side of the railway line, go over the railway bridge and turn left onto the sealed and signposted Mount Norman Road. After about 2 km the road becomes gravel. Turn right across a grid, continue for 1 km, then turn right at the water treatment plant to enter the park. Follow Mount Norman Road for 3.5 km to the Mount Norman day use area, then continue north to the park boundary and the trailhead. Be aware that some sections beyond the day use area are suitable for 4WD vehicles only, and care should be taken to drive responsibly and minimise impact.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
Accommodation nearby
Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.
Nearby towns: Applethorpe, Ballandean, Granite Belt, Pozieres, Stanthorpe, Thulimbah, Wallangarra
About the region
Girraween National Park, near Stanthorpe in southern Queensland, sits around 260 kilometres south-west of Brisbane and is known for its dramatic granite formations and seasonal wildflowers. Set on the Queensland–New South Wales border, the park offers a cooler climate and a landscape shaped by massive boulders, open eucalypt forests, clear creeks, and colourful spring blooms. It is a rewarding place to slow down, look closely, and enjoy the details that change with the seasons.
The park features a wide mix of walks, bushwalks, and hikes suited to different abilities, from short tracks ideal for families to longer routes that explore granite peaks and forested gullies. Wildlife is part of the experience, with birds, wallabies, reptiles, and frogs commonly seen along the all trails network.
Similar walks nearby
Looking for more walks in or near Girraween National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
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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.





