Mount Tibrogargan Summit

Glass House Mountains National Park

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.

Lookouts
Picnic Facilities
Toilets
Scrambling or Climbing
No Dogs Permitted
No Camping Permitted
Eucalypt Forest

Getting there:

From Steve Irwin way from the Bruce Highway. Turn on to Barrs Rd to get to Tibrogargan.

Maps:

Glass House Mountains Walking Tracks

Route/Trail notes:

Start on the Tibrogargan circuit walk and eventually you'll get to a sign pointing to the summit. It goes up pretty steeply until you get to the base of a cliff. From this point follow obvious wear marks to scramble up and up and up. Eventually it levels off with more bush and you're at the 364 metre summit!

Other References/Comments:

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/glass-house-mountains/pdf/glass-house-guide.pdf

Comments

Very polished rock, great fun, but beware of the people above you accidently knocking rocks down. A helmet is recommended. I made a 5-min movie with drone footage and maps here: https://youtu.be/rEo9izQ3F2Q

Richard Pattison on 13 Oct, 2023

First time up this mountain today

Similar level to mt beerwah i would say, this one just got more hand and foot hold.
Very steep incline all the way to the top
Need good shoes for this one
Just take your time going up, don’t rush and don’t panic.
Same with coming down

Would come back agian for sure

Leo on 12 Jan, 2023

I am new and never done any rock climbing. At 59 I though I better get this one done before I am too old. Done it in 1 hour up and faster down with a few stops for catching my breath and photos.
Don't do this when it's wet as you will slip off the rockface.

Jozef KESEG on 30 Jul, 2022

Made it down in 5.54!

Chesspeople on 17 Jul, 2022

This is not a bushwalk. It’s a rock scramble/climb. The hardest/steepest part is at the start of the rock face. Gets easier from there although it is a long scramble to the top. I am afraid of heights and going up was scarier for me. Coming down crabwalking on bum was no worries. Took 1.5 hrs up and 1.25 back. Note the track is actually currently closed by QPSW.

Rosie on 19 Mar, 2022

Full timelapse of the hike in as much detail as possible:

https://youtu.be/txSVqc4TfUc

First two bits are quite steep, but after that its a fairly easy scramble (was passed by both kids and people in their 70's that day). Go in the winter and early in the morning as it is very exposed and gets very hot in the afternoon (including the rocks you're touching)! Drank about 3L of water from when I started the hike to shortly after finishing. Would definitely not do the hike unless it hasn't rained for at least 3 days. It is definitely far easier on the way down than it is on the way up.

Rob on 20 Nov, 2021

Four times today. 1hr 40 minutes total.

Chesspeople on 27 Aug, 2021

After months of doubting I could do this climb, I finally did it! Definitely’froze’ on the rocks a few times but had to keep moving forward so I did! I found the hardest part just after chicken rock, not as many hand holds as I would have liked, but after that part it was amazing! Stunning views from the top. My biggest stress once reaching the summit was having to go down the scary part again however it was easier going down. Chicken rock was also easier going down than up, in my opinion anyway. Went with a girlfriend who has climbed Tibro more than 10 times and who was a great guide for me. Loved it!

Mandy on 7 Jul, 2021

Ok so embarked around 8.30 Monday morning in hope to conquer this one. Parked at the rock climbers car park and followed the 'you are here' signs to reach the summit and fulfill a dream to climb Tib. Sadly due to rocks falling it was closed. The walk up to the summit was lovely, well manicured and signed with excellent reference to neighboring mountains along the way. Continued along the walk around the base of tib and saw a hidden path which led to a sign that had pictures of rock climbers with equipment so knew that was definitely not the path to continue on and to accept that dreams of climbing Tib for now must wait. I will be watching for when it opens again as I am still eager to fully complete this climb.

Valda on 28 Jun, 2021

Ok so embarked around 8.30 Monday morning in hope to conquer this one. Parked at the rock climbers car park and followed the 'you are here' signs to reach the summit and fulfill a dream to climb Tib. Sadly due to rocks falling it was closed. The walk up to the summit was lovely, well manicured and signed with excellent reference to neighboring mountains along the way. Continued along the walk around the base of tib and saw a hidden path which led to a sign that had pictures of rock climbers with equipment so knew that was definitely not the path to continue on and to accept that dreams of climbing Tib for now must wait. I will be watching for when it opens again as I am still eager to fully complete this climb.

Valda on 28 Jun, 2021

Pb 17.5 minutes up today. Still one of the most beautiful places ever. View never gets old .

Chesspeople on 7 Apr, 2021

I relatively hard hike or an easy rock climb, in my opinion was easier than beerwah and took slightly less time and the walk was poorly signposted. But overall was a nice and I would happily do again

Polarbear88 on 28 Mar, 2021

Have climbed this mountain several times and intend to return several times. I travel almost an hour from Coolum just to climb this mountain. Extremely fun climbing up and sliding down! I've seen lots of people freeze from fear on the side of the cliff, so if you're scared of heights, I would not recommend (try Ngungun). Go early on the w/e, or go during the week to avoid too many people as there are small sections of climbing only, and you will get lots of slow people that you will just have to wait for to get past. I have waited quite a while at times (nothing against these people AT ALL and I'm sooo glad they're out here doing it! I just get really excited and just want to climb!) And it gets quite dangerous with falling rocks and people above and below you. Anyways it's a bloody fun time and one of my favourites! Big love.

TheImperialHiker on 13 Feb, 2021

This hike is insane. Made it up the first part of chicken rock and called it a day. Went back down another way which was much easier. I like to think I'm quiet experience with rock scrambling but this was to much.

Frenzy Adventures on 12 Feb, 2021

We started this at the car park known as "Mount Tibrogargan Rock Climbers’ Carpark" on Google Maps. From here, follow the circuit and sign-posts until you reach the base of the climb. This is the first time I've done what would be considered a rock climb and found it fairly straightforward. 40 minutes up and 30 minutes down.

lathan on 8 Feb, 2021

Did Tibro 4 times in a row today! took about 1hr return each time. Some people can do it in under 20 minutes return! Still not an easy mountain for first timers and not to be taken lightly.

Chesspeople on 5 Feb, 2021

A bit challenging but nothing crazy. Some steep sections to climb so make sure you’re confident in your climbing skills and holding up your own body weight. Overall very fun hike! Dont recommend doing it at midday on a hot summers day like we did 😅

Kaina on 31 Jan, 2021

Having done Mount Beerwah two days ago I can confidently say that Mount Tibrogargan is the easier of the two. The climbing section is a little shorter, the climb has lots more hand and foot holds, and the angle of the slope is a little less steep. A great climb but if you are inexperienced, like me, only go with a group of experienced climbers. Also take insect repellent, there were lots of mozzies!

Olwyn on 29 Dec, 2020

Up to chicken rock only, step risers were quite high in the last section. Good views and good challenge, got heart rate up to fat burning zone. Cooled down with circuit track afterwards.

Anonymous on 28 Dec, 2020

Started just after 6:PM from the base. Took 21 minutes up. Left top at 6:37pm 2 minutes before sunset (which was cloud covered) almost halfway down it rained heaps! Became slippery. I wouldn't recommend it in the rain. Got to the bottom of chicken rock just after 7 and turned on my torch and then realized what an idiot I am for not using it 20 minutes earlier! What I did today was insane so please respect the risk associated with climbing Tibrogargan. I was confident only because it was my 5th time. My first time on October 15 I took almost 3 hrs return.

Chesspeople on 16 Dec, 2020

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