Get off the beaten track with newly opened Mount Perry Summit Walk

With overseas travel off the cards hiking in our own backyard has never been more popular. Step off the beaten track on a new hiking trail in a little country town that could be the next Montville or Maleny.

The view from midway along trail of the newly opened Mount Perry Summit Walk.

Hiking has never been more popular than since the pandemic and now there’s a new trail to explore that’s a little bit off the beaten track.

After years of planning, consultation and collaboration the Mount Perry Summit Walk will open on Friday.

The project, driven by the Mt. Perry Community Development Board with support from the Gidarjil Development Corporation, Evolution Mining Mt Rawdon, Queensland Government and the North Burnett Regional Council, includes a 3.9km (one way) Class 3 Trail for locals and visitors alike to enjoy.

MPCDB president Ken Schuster described the trail was “one of the nicest walks I’ve ever been on”.

Mount Perry Summit Walk: A section of trail with Gidarjil Trainees and MPCDB members.

He said within a single step the environment changed from rainforest to open woodland.

Mr Schuster said Gin Gin Landcare had invited a botanist from the Brisbane Herbarium who found more than 200 plant species - including some that were yet to be formally scientifically named.

For those looking to take on the summit walk, which has an elevation of about 500m, Mr Schuster said all you needed was moderate fitness, good footwear and some water.

With some steep sections on the trail, allowing 4–5 hrs was recommended to complete the walk.

He said the project had been a long journey and they were anticipating a good turn out for the opening.

While the planning for the summit walk has been four years in the making, construction began about a year ago with the help of Gidarjil trainees and Queensland Parks and Wildlife guidance.

Initially there was a line marked by ribbons from previous walkers, but he said a lot of energy went into ensuring factors like minimising erosion, safety, trail standards were met and the path had to be changed a couple of time before the final path was selected.

With the summit to officially open from 10am Friday, August 6, there was already plenty of ideas for future events at the site.

The assembly area almost finished.

Mr Schuster said they were trying to promote the area around the small country town of Mount Perry.

As stated by the Mount Perry Community Development Board “this initiative is part of a bigger picture which is designed to give Mt. Perry an identity and a prosperous future”.

“Combined with other projects such as the ‘Melbourne Tram’ and town beautification, there is no reason why Mt. Perry can’t be the Montville or Maleny of the North and the ‘Gateway to the North Burnett’.”

With all the hard work done, Mr Schuster said now it was time for people to “visit and have a look” .

The assembly point for the walk is on Scrub Rd, Mount Perry.

For more information about the Mt Perry Community Development Board, click here.