Mount Rooper Circuit and Swamp Bay Track

Description

The Mount Rooper Circuit and Swamp Bay Track is located within Conway National Park. This park includes the rainforest-clad Conway Peninsula and 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 35 kilometre-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.

This first section of the 7.2 kilometre Mt Rooper Circuit and Swamp Bay Track climbs up through mixed forests for a view (the Conway Outlook) over Shute Harbour to the Conway Range. Continue on from Conway Outlook. The shallow, stony clay soils support brush box, grasstrees, wattles and other woodland vegetation. Soak up the panoramic vista of the Whitsunday Passage and islands at the summit. Continue from the lookout passing views to Daydream and North Molle islands, descend through mixed forest to meet the Swamp Bay track. Turn left and return to the car park to complete the circuit.

Take in both the circuit and Swamp Bay tracks for a comfortable one-day walk. Enjoy a picnic at Swamp Bay. Allow one day to complete this walk of a moderate grade.