Summary

The Sunshine State

Queensland has a wealth of bushwalking opportunities including multiple World Heritage Listed rainforests such as the Daintree and Lamington National Park, great coastal and island parks like Fraser Island and Hinchinbrook Island.

Other Information

World Heritage Areas

• Fraser Island
• Gondwana Rainforests of Australia (Lamington NP, Springbrook NP, Mount Chinghee NP, Mount Barney NP, Main Range NP)
• Great Barrier Reef
• Riversleigh
• Wet Tropics (Daintree NP, Barron Gorge NP, Cedar Bay NP, Girringun NP, Wooroonooran NP)

Contact details

Queensland Parks and Forest:
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/

Regions

The link below provides a region map of QLD as a reference to what council zones are included in the 7 geographic regions of QLD.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_of_Queensland#/media/File:Qld-regions-map.gif

1. Far North Queensland
2. North Queesnland
3. Central Queensland
4. Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday
5. Wide Bay Burnett
6. Darling Downs South West
7. South East Queensland

Walks in Glass House Mountains National Park

(South East Queensland)

Medium

3.5 km return

90 mins

Mount Beerburrum

A paved but very steep walk leads 700 metres uphill through a small area of rainforest, then winds up through eucalyptus woodland to a fire tower. There is a 360 degree view of the Glass House Mountains and other parts of South East Queensland from the summit. On a clear day, Brisbane CBD is visible too. When descending the fire tower, go down backwards as you would with any ladder, several people have tried to go down forward and had very nasty accidents.

Very Hard

3.6 km return

3 hrs

Mount Beerwah

Best to do this walk early before the heat of the day. From the base it's a steep rock climb/scramble up that seems to go on forever. Once past this initial climb, you reach the Organ Pipes. From here it's a moderate walk/scramble to the top. Views are amazing from the summit. Take your time coming down, use your feet and hands to control your descent as it's steep. If you're willing to sacrifice your pants to the rock, a crab walk/butt scoot down is effective for grip and won't make you slide Take water and some energy food as you'll be tired and need to get some energy, especially in the warmer months. Approx 3hrs. Great if you like a challenge.

Take care with this walk/climb, but go soon. A small group of Australians calling themselves the "Jinibara" have Non-Exclusive native title to the national park and want to prevent others paying homage to this wonderful mountain by climbing it. Be proud of your achievement if you reach the summit, but only if you feel confident on the steep rock.

Medium

9.5 km one-way

3 hrs

Mount Beerwah Base

This walk travels along tracks and roads that link to circumnavigate the base of Mour Beerwah. It gives great views of the mountain from different angles and its many faces.

Very Hard

2.9 km return

3 hrs

Mount Beerwah Summit

The highest of the Glasshouse Mountains, the Mt Beerwah summit walk is slightly easier than Mt Tibrogargan but still quite challenging. It has extensive views of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Glasshouse Mountains.

Very Easy

1.3 km

30 mins

Mount Beerwah Western Boundary

Just a short stroll with glimpses of Mount Beerwah on your left. this track ended with no signage although we continued walking along the fire trail until we came out at a main fire trail near the power lines possibly called Connection Road. The extra walk would be aprox 1.5-2km each way which made the total walk about 1hr.

Medium

4 km return

2.5 hrs

Mount Cooee

At just 167m, this is probably the least climbed and one of the least known mountains in the area, especially as it is overshadowed by Mount Tibrogargan immediately to the west.

Very Hard

2.7 km return

2 hrs

Mount Tibrogargan Summit

Almost a free climb instead of a hike.

It’s quite tricky to actually find it. Come off the Steve Irwin way at Matthew something park and drive around the back and through a tight railway tunnel then off to the right. You’ll pass some farming sheds on your right and the track to the car park is on your left.

According to Jinibara people’s lore and custom, Beerwah is the ancestral, pregnant mother. Tibrogargan is seen as the father with Ngungun, his faithful dingo, lying at his feet. The mountains around them are their children. Coonowrin is the eldest. The others are Beerburrum, Coochin, Elimbah, Tibberoowuccum, Miketeebumulgrai, Tunbubudla and, the youngest is currently known as Wild Horse Mountain.

Aboriginal people do not climb these mountains out of spiritual respect to Jinibara and Kabi Kabi peoples. They ask that visitors refrain from climbing them for the same reason.

Very Hard

3 km return

5 hrs

Mt Beerwah East Face

With the summmit track closed due to a massive rockfall in 2008 this is an alternative route to the summit. It is quite steep and exposed in places and not recommended if you don't have a head for heights.

Medium

2.8 km return

2 hrs

Mt Coochin (East and West Peaks)

This is a great scramble on a pretty twin peak mountain, with some outstanding views of the Glass House Mountains region to the south and the Brisbane CBD in the far distance.

Very Hard

3 hrs

Mt Coonowrin

Access to this mountain is closed. Significant penalties apply to anyone found on this mountain without a permit. It is unclear on what grounds a permit may be granted, but if one can be obtained, the previously established route would likely have disappeared.