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.

Lookouts
Scrambling or Climbing
No Dogs Permitted

Getting there:

Travel via Glass House Mountains township, left into Bruce Paradede, left to Coonowrin Road and left onto Old Gympie Rd then right onto Mt Beerwah Road to the picnic ground.

Route/Trail notes:

Follow the walking track from the car park to the base of the mountain. This section is quite exposed and some rock scrambling experience is essential. Do not attempt if the rock is wet or rain is expected. Scramble up to the base of the cliffline. Turn right and follow the cliffline around and follow an obvious track around and up to the summit. Return via same route.

Permits/Costs:

None required:

Indigenous History

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.

According to Jinibara people’s lore and custom, Beerwah is the ancestral, pregnant mother. As there is nothing more important than a mother giving birth, Jinibara people are taught to respect and protect Mount Beerwah—a deeply spiritual place. Their lore and custom teach them not to climb this mountain out of respect for its great sacredness. Tibrogargan is seen as the father with Ngungun, his faithful dingo, lying at his feet. The mountains around them are their children. 

 

Comments

Wow what a massive achievement. Have never scrambled or climbed before but am a very active person, which helped a lot. So to tackle this was such a great feeling. Don’t be disheartened by the first bit. It is the hardest.
I wore sneakers that made it a bit slippery on the smooth parts. Lots of people were barefoot to get traction.
Lots of things to hold onto but can be mentally challenging.
Will do it again.

Tracy on 8 Apr, 2018

First time up this hill. I have no idea why the description classifies this as very hard (which is is), then goes on to say the climb's slightly easier than Tibbo, which it is not. Make no mistake, this is a near vertical ascent from the get go. Don't get fooled by the relatively short distance, you'll sweat your guts out. I wouldn't say it's exposed but it's sharp and steep. Experienced scramblers will have little to worry about, but the climb is achievable by most fit/able walkers with care and patience. Very little shade and if the suns out you'll fry, lots of water, a hat and sunscreen are a must. Prepare to get quite dirty as well, the caves below the organ pipes are full of soft fine clay like sand. The signs suggest 4 hours return, that's on the money. I took about 2.5 to 3. Spectacular views from the top.

iano on 8 Apr, 2018

Starts off with a very small hike that leads to a smooth 70 degree rockface (saw some people turn around upon seeing it). Not too tricky to climb but a little more fiddly to get down without turning it into a tobogganless Luge ride. Rest assure that once you get past that point it does get quite a bit easier and there are lots of hand grips the whole way up. But make no mistake, you are on your hands and feet for 70-80% of it. Often there is a steep bushy area off to the side you can walk up if the climb is a bit too much. The summit is breathtaking with an amazing view to reward you for the climb. Would not recommend in the wet or to anyone who is afraid of heights. I would say it's tougher physically and exposure wise to Tibrogargan. Side note: wear pants you don't care about, because my mate came down with assless chaps afterwards. I would definitely do it again, most fun mountain I've done!

Vonsnrub on 8 Apr, 2018

HARD
5/5

Somewhat challenging but very rewarding. The first half is a bit of a tricky ‘climb’ due to the smoothness of the rock in some portions without a lot of handholds, but still doable. Bring shoes with good grip. The second half is a hike that involves some scrambling up the rocks.

Large variety of interesting views, both in terms of the surrounding landscape and the mountain itself. Great 360 view at the summit of surround. Would definitely go again. Harder than tibro in my opinion, due the first ‘climb’ section, but more rewarding. Would suggest doing tibro first before beerwah.

Would recommend for anyone who enjoys climbing and is confident. If you have experience climbing, you should be fine. Because it is less steep than tibro, if you’re experienced you can probably get away with almost just walking up most of the ‘climb’ portion.

Would recommend for people with a decent level of fitness but with little/no climbing experience, as long as you go with someone else with plenty of outdoor climbing experience or has successfully completed beerwah in the past, to guide you along. Good balance, hand-eye co-ordination, flexibility, confidence and patience are more important here than raw muscle. Definitely take the first climbing portion at a comfortable pace, making sure you always have a firm grip before climbing to the next section. If you’re concerned with going back down, bum-shuffling/sliding on your butt down is feasible if you follow the easier/flatter sections. Bring spare pants if you plan to do this.

Sam on Apr, 2018

Good climb little slippery in places but beautiful views and terrain

troy on 18 Feb, 2018

I’m glad to have done this but won’t rush to do it again. Found it harder than Tibro, and that means harder than any other walk I’ve done. Views at the top are much better than Tibrogargan. Came down East face - good variety.

Juiced Pixels on 17 Feb, 2018

It seems that the debate as to which is harder, Beerwah or Tibrogargan is fairly evenly split, so decided to find out myself on Australia Day. I have climbed Tibrogargan a few times in the past, but never Beerwah. I arrived at Beerwah just before 6 am to find about 60 cars at the carpark and along the road and was initially expecting a queue at the start, but I think many must have taken an alternate route as there was only a couple on the slope in front. The first section has less handholds than Tibrogargan but after that I thought the grade was slightly easier, although the walk was longer and took more effort. I am 68, reasonable fit but a little out of condition at the moment after a month long virus, but made it to the summit in an hour and five minutes including taking plenty of pics on the way. Back down in another 45 minutes. I drove to Tibrogargan for a banana and a break, then thought "why not", and tackled that too. It took a lot of effort to reach the summit, but that was probably because I was weary to start with, but still made it up and back in just under 2 hours and back home in Brisbane by 11:30. Since they both took about the same time, I must conclude that Tibrogargan is a little less of a challenge. This is of course, entirely subjective and I suppose it depends on the individual. Conclusion, Beerwah is longer, Tibrogargan is perhaps steeper, I wouldn't like to fall from either.

jgmansell on 26 Jan, 2018

Challenging climb not to be taken lightly. Most of the climb is a very steep cliff face, the are plenty of hand and foot holds, even for my size 13 hoofs. But be sure to have a solid grip, if you slip you’re a goner unless you get lucky. But don’t be discouraged, I saw a bloke well into his 50’s running, yes running down the cliffs on my way up. The view is worth the climb

Angus Anderson on 6 Jan, 2018

Awesome climb. highly recommend. I did the climb in runners but i took my climbing shoes just incase. I didn't use them but it would of made the climb a hell of a lot easier. I would recommend approach shoes. If you have never climbed a mountain before or have any climbing experience you should try an easier hike first. Ngungun maybe. Mainly just take your time and be sure footed and you will be fine. and follow the arrows.

Luminext on 1 Nov, 2017

Steep and dangerous at points. It’s a steady walk up about a 1/3 of the mountain but it’s a scramble to the top after that. People have died on the mountain so the indigenous claim the mountain is sacred and shouldn’t be climbed. I didn’t know this at the time so I probably wouldn’t claim but again. There were some very hairy spots so a climbing buddy is a must

Kimberly Oberlin on 23 Sep, 2017

Amazing! Me and my friend have little climbing experience and completed in 4 hours. Take lots of water, I went through 3L. Pack bug spray cause there's a few at the summit. Make every step count and you'll be right.wear flexible shoes. Pack a camera/phone, the views are amazing and most importantly... have fun!

umaycallmedanni on 25 Aug, 2017

I wasn't entirely sure what I was getting myself into with this one. I knew there'd be scrambling and I have indoor rock climbing experience and am relatively fit and very flexible. I was wearing Merrell trail shoes and wouldn't want to do it in joggers. The start was really intense (it was climbing, not scrambling) but honestly there were quite a few bits all the way up that were tricky. Once you get to the cliffs it really is easier, but you're already fatigued ;). I disagree that it's harder coming down, it was much easier coming down, just don't make the mistake of uncontrolled sliding--use your arms and feet to control your descent. It's also really exposed and it was hot, I drank all of my water which I never do on hikes. It was a humbling experience and I'm still a bit amazed I did it.

sarasvati on 13 Aug, 2017

Exciting walk. Hard at the beginning then you need some climbing skills. Once you reach the top you got the view. good exercise and practice for climbers but you don't any equipment

Hui Xiao on 8 Aug, 2017

The view from the top is spectacular! Definitely a must-do in my books if you are relatively fit and game for a steep scramble. It's really just the first 1/3 of the hike that's so challenging, and for this I recommend flexible shoes with good treads that don't slip. Coming down is tough as well as you are pretty much sliding down the rock on your bum. Definitely get an early start to avoid crowds of people and having to wait for them to climb up the base scramble, also to avoid heat!

kmgail on 30 Jul, 2017

Wow! This was an intense climb. Feelings of never ending and "I love here now" surfaced often. Once at the top however it was spectacular. Found it a lot more challenging than Tibro but still glad I can tick this one off my list. Bring plenty of water and snacks!

Natalie on 25 Apr, 2017

Great walk. Reasonably challenging, love the organ pipes. Best feature of a mountain I have come across.

Lawdaddy on Apr, 2017

Quite difficult but so rewarding and an amazing view at the top!

jjoha on 21 Jan, 2017

This is indeed a great scramble, with spectacular views on a nice day and easy enough to attract a big crowd. Since the reopening, in the weekend you can easily line up for 20 minutes at the base, waiting for reluctant hikers to tackle the carved steps. With large crowds come erosion and sometimes vandalism. It is our responsibility to make sure we stay on the track and avoid carving the rock or trees and painting marks to signal routes. It is also our responsibility to educate who does not respect the limited amount of mountains and rock this corner of Australia has to offer.

Anonymous on 3 Jan, 2017

This was a tough one for me...cos I'm unfit.

Christian on 2017

My 10th Climb of Mt Beerwah. This is a really great climb, and though its not the biggest of mountains, its indeed a real climb. Some superb scenery and many great photo opportunities along the way ..


There is a youtube video of me climbing this mountain. Type in "Drummer Jeff Mt Beerwah 2016

DrummerJeff on 18 Dec, 2016

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