Summary

Mt Barney with it's two peaks (Mount Barney East at 1,351m and Mount Barney West at 1,354m) is the highest peak in Mount Barney National Park, and one of the most popular bushwalks in South-East Queensland. Other peaks in Mount Barney National Park include Mount Maroon (967m), Mt May (836m), Mt Clunie (1155m). Many of the walks in the park are rated "hard" and require some experience and route-finding skills.

The Lower and Upper Portals are also popular day-walks.

Features

What are the standout bushwalking features?

Access

No public access. Car access via Rathdowney. Multiple Mount Barney summit routes start at Yellowpinch carpark.

Maps

1:25K Mt Lindesay topographical map

Accommodation

Mount Barney Lodge Country Retreat is close to the Park. There are multiple camping spots, both car-accessible and more remote sites (booking required and fee applies)

Camping

Camp sites must be booked and a small fee applies – you can do this on-line via the Queensland National Parks Booking Service. You’ll be able to print a Camping Tag to attach to your tent.

Other

Mount Barney summit trip report - https://hikingtheworld.blog/2018/07/08/mount-barney/

Contact details

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/mount-barney/about.html

Walks in Mt Barney National Park

Very Hard

18.5 km return

12 hrs

Mt Barney via Gorge and down Peasants Ridge

A tough hike in up the Gorge mostly off track with some challenging rock scrambling. Upon reaching Barney Saddle the trek up West Peak is reasonably challenging and shouldn't be attempted unless you have a head for heights as it is quite steep and exposed in places. After returning to the saddle if time allows the return trip up East Peak is well worth tackling as the views from the summit are unbeatable on a clear day. The trip down via Peasants Ridge is relatively straight forward but does offer a couple of interesting sections. After reaching the car park at Yellow Pinch it is about 6km to the start point by road at Lower Portals Carpark. It is preferable to have organised a car shuffle so as to avoid this at the end of a long day.

Very Hard

15 km return

9 hrs

Mt Barney via Logans Ridge and return via Gorge

The climb up Logan's Ridge is challenging but offers superb views on a clear day. The first recorded climb was undertaken by Captain Patrick Logan, Charles Fraser and Allan Cunningham in 1828. The climb became too difficult for Fraser and Cunningham who turned back leaving Logan to climb on alone. This ascent should not be attempted unless you are an experienced rock scrambler and have a head for heights. Any climb too difficult for Allan Cunningham deserves respect.

Very Hard

17 km return

8 hrs

Mt Barney West Peak

Straight up the west peak. The track is a goat track at best. There is the occasional piece of tape in a tree. You probably will get lost. But its not that hard to find your way. One tip is at the big rock face, aim towards the left end (south but not to south as there is a very big cliff). Also a good idea to take a compass bearing on the way up, as white outs are common up here.
The summit is scrubby, with a pile of rocks to mark the highest spot on Mt Barney (its higher than east peak). Head to the the northern end of the peak for amazing views to the north and west.
Even if you dont intend on climbing the whole way up. Do yourself a favour and go a little way, as the veiw up East peak is amazing. Totally different aspect of this incredible mountain.

Hard

10.1 km return

5 hrs

Mt Clunie

This is one for the "peak-baggers" and those who want to test there fitness. Mt Clunie is one of the high mountains (1158m) on the Qld/NSW border and the walk involves one of the tougher ascents in South-East Qld (described as "incredibly steep" in the Bushpeople's Guide, and they aren't joking). The walk begins at the border gate on the Carneys Creek Rd (this becomes White Swamp Rd once it crosses into NSW) and follows the border fence all the way up to the summit. The first few kilometres of the walk, in a roughly Southerly direction, is through undulating terrain in open eucalypt forest, and although there are some steep sections, it isn't too difficult. However, about an hour into the walk, a steel fence is crossed, the vegetation begins to change to rainforest, and the very steep section commences. At this point is is very handy to wear tough gloves, in order to drag yourself up the fence, and wear long sleeves and pants/gators, to battle through some areas of blackberry. A few hundred metres from the summit, the track levels, and there are some picturesque rock formations on the Qld side of the fence. In some sections, it is best to climb over the fence for easier travel. The summit is marked by a cairn, but there are no views to speak of, apart from occasional glimpses of Wilson's Peak to the North-West. You will make up some time on the return trip, but in parts, it's almost necessary to slide back down!

Very Hard

6 km

4 hrs

Mt Lindesay

I've revised the description and left the original below.

From the border gate the route follows the western ridge before traversing the mountain's southern slopes. Once you reach the eastern ridge, look for the ascent point for the lower cliff-line, very close to the ridge crest. The climb starts with a steep chimney to a tree, which can be used as an anchor for this lower pitch if needed, then briefly traverses right before climbing straight up a very shallow gully to a ramp trending leftwards. Casuarina needles make this section slippery. The route is easy to follow from here but the upper cliff-line, while short, contains a slightly overhanging move and some climbers will require aid to ascend. It is far easier to abseil down the upper cliff-line, and safer to use a rope for all exposed sections. Rope doubled-over slings around trees, with separate sling retrieval line should work OK for descent, though the lead climber would need to be able to ascend without protection and the lower cliffs would be 2 pitches long. There were no views from the summit when I climbed this in early 2000s

ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
This walk starts near the border gate and eventually becomes very steep on a relatively poorly defined path. It's possible to go nearly all the way to the top without a rope.

Hard

6 km return

5 hrs

Mt Maroon

Mt Maroon provides some of the best views in South-East Queensland, with a 360 degree views ranging from Lamington NP through Mt Barney, the length of Main Range and the Moogerah Peaks.

No facilties on site, be sure to bring toilet paper etc.
Bring plenty of water and food/snacks.

Very Hard

10 km one-way

6 hrs

Mt. Barney - Short Leaning Ridge

The ridge from Barney waterfall leading to Leaning Peak. One of the hardest bushwalk in the area. A rope is mandatory to abseil of the peak. A rewarding climb.

Medium

4.5 km return

3 hrs

Paddy's Falls

Also known as Golden Staircase Falls for the so named nearby fire trail. Follows the fire trail before a rock hop up the creek to the falls then you can return the way you came or scramble out of the gully up to the fire trail and use it to go all the way back.

Medium

8 km return

3.5 hrs

Paddy's Peak

A reasonably straight forward walk up a lesser known peak nestled between Mt Barney, Mt Maroon and Mt May.

Medium

8 km

3.5 hrs

Upper Portals

The walk is not hard if you follow the trails. A 4WD or at the very least a high clearance vehicle is required to make it up the road. It is rough going in 1st gear with a few extended steep/rough stretches. The drive is harder than the walk.

EARLIER DESCRIPTION

The only reason I'd say this walk is is because there are some steep hills which are very tiring but most of the walk is along fire trails.