Embark on a journey to the home of the Jinibara people and Kabi Kabi people. Imagine Lieutenant James Cook’s awe as he first glimpsed and named these glasshouse-shaped peaks during his travels up the coast.These same towering volcanic plugs rise dramatically above the surrounding scenic patchwork of pine plantations, bush and farmland.
Getting there
The Glass House Mountains area is 70km north of Brisbane. Follow the Bruce Highway north to the Glass House Mountains tourist drive exit and follow the signs to the park. Mounts Beerburrum, Beerwah, Ngungun and Tibrogargan have separate access roads.
Be enchanted as you walk beneath changing forest canopies—see candlestick banksias blooming bright yellow, rainbow lorikeets peeking from tree hollows, and spectacular views that stretch to the horizon.
Did you know?
The Glass House Mountains are evidence of igneous intrusions formed around 25–27 million years ago. Weather has long eroded away the surrounding softer sandstone, leaving behind the harder rock of the magnificent craggy peaks we see today.
Things to do
Wildlife spotting
At dawn and dusk, eastern grey kangaroos and whiptail wallabies graze in the open forests. Look for blue-faced, scarlet and white-cheeked honeyeaters sipping nectar from heath wildflowers. As you walk along, smell the musky scent of koalas snoozing high in pink bloodwood and tallowwood trees.
Bushwalking
Enjoy bushwalks to lookouts and through the forests around the mountains. The Mount Ngungun summit walking track is a challenging walk with spectacular bird’s-eye views of nearby Mount Tibrogargan, Mount Beerwah and Mount Coonowrin.
You can also join a guided tour with Experientia or Tropical Treks
Views from the top of Mount Ngungun
Rock scrambling summit routes
Experienced and well-prepared climbers can access the summit of Mount Tibrogargan. This summit route is extremely challenging, with exposed rocky sections, steep cliffs and areas requiring rock scrambling and climbing skills. If you are inexperienced or have young children, these climbing routes are not for you. The Jinibara people and Kabi Kabi people consider these peaks to be sacred mountains not to be climbed.
Running trails
Go for a forest run on three running trails and a shared trail in nearby Glass House Mountains Conservation Park and Beerburrum West State Forest, just off the D’Aguilar Highway between Wamuran and D’Aguilar townships.
Places to camp
Camping is not permitted in Glass House Mountains National Park, but you can visit nearby Beerwah State Forest and stay overnight in your tent, camper trailer, campervan or caravan at Coochin Creek camping area 1 .
See qld.gov.au/nationalparks for more information
Places to go
1. Mount Ngungun summit walking track
Enjoy great views of Mount Tibrogargan, Mount Coonowrin and Mount Beerwah from the summit of this walk. This grade 4 walk is about 2.8km return and should take two hours.
2. Mount Tibrogargan walking circuit
800m to Mountain View lookout (10mins);
3.2km full circuit (1hr 30mins).
Grade 3
Circumnavigate the mountain and see it from many different perspectives. Stop at Mountain View lookout to admire views over Mount Beerwah and Mount Coonowrin. Follow the circuit through casuarina and melaleuca forest looking for yellow-tailed black-cockatoos and birds of prey soaring above.
3. Trachyte walking circuit, Mount Tibrogargan
6km return (two to three hours).
Grade 4
Wind through open woodland and heathland between Mount Tibrogargan and Mount Tibberoowuccum. Enjoy views from Jack Ferris lookout on Trachyte Ridge.
4. Mount Beerburrum walking track
1.4km return (1hr).
See rainforest with twisting fig trees and open forests on this steep walk.
Grade 4
5. Mount Beerwah day-use area
Enjoy a picnic with a view at this peaceful day-use area, only a 100m short walk from the car park. There are toilets and a picnic table available.
Drop into the Glass House Mountains Visitor Centre for more ideas on places to explore
Accommodation:
From cute B&Bs, to luxury cottages or quirky train carriages, there are some unique places in the Glass House Mountains.
View the accommoation options available in the Glass House Mountains
