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

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

Awesome hike I can’t wait to do it again for sunrise.
Only do this hike if you’re ok with heights.
Definitely wouldn’t be safe in the rain season.

Carla on 5 Oct, 2020

Challening climb due to 55-60 degree incline basically all the way up, but with steady pace and an eye out for hand and foot holds this climb is easily achievable.

Fantastic views at the summit, be sure to check out the rock outcrop for good photo opportunities.

HikingBiker on 19 Sep, 2020

I totally overestimated myself and underestimated all advice about this climb. I ignored all advice and 1. climbed alone, 2. climbed in the rain, 3. climbed outside of my comfort zone. I was meant to climb with a beginner group but when I got there they had cancelled. I followed a well set out path to what they call Chicken Rock and this is where my buddy tapped out. There is no shame in stopping here believe me. Up I went. Thankfully 2 experienced climbers from our group found me and coached me up and down. I wanted that pic from the top and the bragging rights back at the bottom. Personally I found it terrifying. I rarely maintained 3 points of contact and had no idea where to put my feet or where to find a grip hold. This is extremely doable, but I can't stress enough that you should go with someone experienced. Coming down was easier but only because of the experienced men I was with. There were still a couple of places where I was terrified but to put it in perspective, one of my buddies walked most of the way down. I can't wait to do it again but this time I'll heed all advice and will not go without our group. The top IS AMAZING. Enjoy

Tess on 15 Aug, 2020

Amazing climb, recommending to everyone who is not scary of hights and love adventures. 100% of focus is requested for most of the time as it can be dangerous. Loved it and would do it again 😊

Asha on 11 Jul, 2020

Much better to do this hike on a week day. There were still a few others on the mountain but not nearly as much as on the weekend.

Jacquie LeVay on 8 Jul, 2020

A short walk to the base of tibro, where the scramble starts at Chicken rock. It took me about 40 mins to reach the summit, and about 30 mins back down, with 15 mins at the summit to take photos and hydrate myself. Not for the faint-hearted or those who are afraid of hights.

0zzyDave1234 on 6 Jul, 2020

Have completed this one a bunch of times. This time with Lisa (on her first summit), Mike, Gareth and Emma. Lovely day, sun wasnt too hot which s the best time to do this one. Feeling more confident with the free climbing. Its always a great view at the top.

Sarah on 21 Jun, 2020

Climbed with Doylie for Sunrise, a game of chess and coffee, breakfast. Great morning!

This is only my 3rd climb/scramble and it wasn't as tough as I thought. Plenty of families there climbing up as we were coming down. Well worth the view at the end!

MATT THOMPSON on 24 May, 2020

Almost made it ;)
Seriously way harder than I imagined. Physically I could have done it. But mentally I had to turn around bit over half way.

Maria R on 18 May, 2020

That's definitely not a hike or bushwalk, that's a real climbing. I really enjoyed it!

Remi (Frog n Roo) on 18 Feb, 2020

4/5 stars, 3.5hrs return at slow pace - did in group with people not confident with climbing. The carpark has been moved further down the road so slightly longer walk to get to the climbing section. The first section after the carpark is the walking trail that goes around the mountain, which deviates at a well-marked sign for the summit trail. From here it gets rocky, with some bits requiring large steps up, a nice warmup. The rest is a pretty fun climb if you have some climbing experience, plenty of handholds. Steeper than beerwah, but an easier climb imo, on account of the plentiful handholds, but can still be dangerous if you aren’t careful. Pretty nice views on the way up of beerwah and the surrounding countryside. Climb up until you reach the peak. The peak is flat with lots of surrounding vegetation so you won’t get a clear 360 degree view, you won’t even really get a good view of beerwah (imo the best view of beerwah is slightly before you reach the peak). Walking across the peak for about 10-15 minutes following the track leads you to the actual end of the trail, where you get a view towards the east. Overall, it’s just a fun climb, if you’re confident in climbing and you can trust your shoes/bare feet for grip, you’ll have no problems. If you’ve never been before, just take your time. I've done this hike 3 times.

Sam on 31 Jan, 2020

Similar difficulty to Mount Beerwah. If you're an inexperienced climber make sure you have a decent level of fitness and do not go alone and/or when raining. The view from the top is worth the nerves on the way up.

Mitch Snow on 5 Jan, 2020

Had an amazing climb
Was invited with a group that included a couple of other beginners. Definitely wouldnt recommend doing this one alone for the first time unless you are an avid and confident climber with good fitness as it's pretty steep and a decent scramble. Will do it a few more times with a guide before I would be confident to map out the path and climb it alone

Korina Meagher on 27 Nov, 2019

Holy crap. Not for the feignt of heart. My first free solo climb.

Rod Hewins on 26 Oct, 2019

Amazing! Quite mentally challenging for me but was lucky enough to run into some experienced hikers on the way up who helped us to the top. I was more worried about getting down but they were right - getting down was way easier. Would recommend going with someone who has done this before. It's worth it. I was blown away by how helpful and caring everyone on the track was. Everyone helps each other and is good for a few words of guidance and encouragement.

Janielle Pyne on 13 Oct, 2019

Absolutely loved every minute of the challenge. Not much margin for error on this beauty

Deon Krahe on 30 Sep, 2019

Brilliant walk - definitely need some confidence with climbing. Not so much scramble as it is free solo at points. Good fun. Busy, so go early to avoid the crowds (and the unsolicited advice about foot and hand placement - people just trying to help, but figuring it out for yourself is part of the fun!).

Glang on 29 Sep, 2019

Pretty difficult in a few places, watch for falling rocks.

Clay on 22 Sep, 2019

If you can do Beerwah this one is a walk in the park. Not for your faint of hearts. If you’re not a climber, go with someone who has some experience. Need a reasonable level of fitness.

Kirk on 7 Sep, 2019

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