This is a moderate walk through eucalypt forest, with some rock scrambling sections, cliff-edge lookouts and limited signage. The wildlife is abundant and the scenery beautiful with large rocks and caves to explore. Take plenty of water.

Please respect the traditional custodians of the land, the Ugarapul people, and resist the temptation of climbing to the White Rock summit.

The Ridge Hike is officially listed as 'hard' due to the scrambling sections, but this walk is achievable for most adults or children with a moderate fitness level.

Lookouts
Bird Watching
Picnic Facilities
Toilets
Scrambling or Climbing
No Dogs Permitted
Eucalypt Forest
183m
Maximum Elevation
152m
Total Climb

Getting there

How do you get to the start of the walk?

From Paperbark Flats picnic area, follow the multi user trail about 1.2km until it cuts a haul road and turns left.  Signs direct you right for the multi-use trail.  Rather than turning, follow the road east for another 50 metres, and there is a small sign marking the start of the ridge hike on the right.

(Note that the map at the picnic area does not show the haul road, and would lead you to believe the ridge hike is directly off the multi use trail.  The map attached below gives a better idea)

Maps

Which maps cover the area?

https://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/24410/White-Rock-Spring-Mountain-Conservation-Park-Guide.pdf 

http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/documents/health/white_rock_spring_mountain_trails_guide.pdf

Route/Trail notes

The track is obvious, but narrow and rough, and not well signed.  There are no trail markers after the first couple of hundred metres, which involves a moderate climb up onto the ridge.  Depending on the state of vegetation, there are views to the north all the way to Brisbane.  On reaching a rocky outcrop, White Rock can be seen across a col, but the track appears to peter out.  Casting around to the south reveals the last trail marker, directing you down a cleft leading down to the col.  The descent is relatively straightforward, but requires caution descending the cleft.  A few hundred metres easy walking to White Rock, where there are benches to rest and enjoy the peace and quiet.

The rock can be climbed with a little effort and no specialised equipment, via another (unsigned cleft) just to the east of the north face.  There are panoramic views in all directions from the summit (about 30 metres above the rest area)

Permits/Costs

Do you need any permits? What's the cost?

Access is free.  Hiking does not require a permit.  Gates open 6am to 6pm

Other References

How can I find more info? Any guide books?

Comments

Nice easy hike nothing to strenuous.

ian parker on 10 Mar, 2023

It was a great walk. We did it with our 9 and 3 year old but it was still doable. We had a lovely little picnic at the top and then went down happy and with filled tummies.

Foxiously on 10 Jan, 2023

Definitely not a "hard walk". Would consider it maybe medium just for the rock scrambling which is a very short section.

Lihz on 8 Jan, 2023

Visited White Rock today for the first time. We parked in the wrong spot (should have used the carpark straight ahead, not to the left), and found the signage confusing (there are several trails in the park with similar acronyms). Glad we had GPS map to confirm we were on the right track. The trail was a good level of challenge to keep my kids interested, and we saw/heard lots of wildlife (kingfisher, Goanna, skinks, frogs, etc.) Lots more to explore on a future visit.

Steph T on 18 Dec, 2022

Good views

Jay on 3 Dec, 2022

Great short walk to an amazing rock formation. Took the ridge trail on the way in & the fire trail on the way out. Would recommend doing the ridge trail both ways, as it is much more interesting. Bit of a rock scramble if you want to climb to the top of White Rock but nothing too difficult. Such a shame that there are so many names carved into the rock at the top.

Suz on 3 Oct, 2022

Great hike with a few rocky bits. To get to the top of the *white rock* for a 360 view, go left of the sign and there's a bit of climbing but a child could do it with some help. Took 2 hours excluding lunch. Did this one with Josh.

Mathias on 26 May, 2022

Nice short walk with good views from the top of the rock.

David Pawley on 28 Jan, 2022

Thanks to a reasonably wet summer and the fact it was a weekday meant this was more pleasant than expected. The bush was looking pretty green and we didn't feel bothered by the noise of other hikers. The small amount of rock scrambling kept the young ones interested.

Dvette on 13 Jan, 2022

Good walk. Did not climb the tock in deference to indigenous custodians. (the best views are from the Ridge trail, an looking up at the rock)

Call me Al on 13 Sep, 2021

We did the ridge walk on the way up and the multi-user trail on the way back.
Would absolutely recommend the ridge walk, much more interesting sights and gorgeous views.
Easy for a beginner for sure! A little bit of basic rock scramble but nothing intense

stegasarahus on 20 Aug, 2021

Fairly easy walk, lovely scenery and the white rock is a great place to sit by and have some tucker before you head back. A few spots in the middle where you have to do a mini climb up or down some boulders but nothing to worry about. Lots of spots to do some bouldering if that's your type of thing.
Cheers,
The Bare Foot Bush Walker.

Barefoot Bushwalker on 30 May, 2021

Lovely walk with plenty of shade during the walk

Rob on 26 May, 2021

Lovely walk

Rob on 26 May, 2021

We walked up via the main walk and back via the ridge track. The Ridge Track is quite spectacular and apart from a short rock scramble easy to navigate. Well worth coming back this way.

Bobbe on 4 Feb, 2021

Nice to see the greenery after the recent rains as the park was looking very dry.

Brian on 28 Jan, 2021

I recommend doing the White Rock Ridge walk. Much more interesting than the White Rock Trail, it also has views of the CBD. The path is well signed, and from the top there are green arrows to a track that has a little scramble on to White Rock. The Ridge Trail is pretty easy as it’s not a steep hike, just be prepared that the trail is a little rough as some parts are rocky.

Olwyn on 28 Nov, 2020

being led buy an expert for this hike/rock scrambling. best to go early in the morning instead of 8.30am start as by then the rocks would be very hot.

Lyn on 21 Nov, 2020

Good hike to start for beginners, short moderate hike with a little rock climb to the top

Dung Hawkins on 31 Oct, 2020

Hit the trail early at 6.00, and completed the walk in just under 90 mins. We did this early to avoid the heat, which we did. It was just starting to heat up when we finished the walk. We took the multi use trail going out and went up around the back of White Rock . This makes the walk about 1 klm longer than sign posted. Enjoyable and convenient for us to do.

Brian on 24 Oct, 2020

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