Glass House Mountains National Park 

More photos   

The Glass House Mountains National Park are distinctive volcanic plugs which dominate the coastal rural landscape near Maleny north of Brisbane. Craggy volcanic peaks tower over a scenic patchwork of pine plantations, bushland and cultivated fields. Many of the peaks are protected in Glass House Mountains National Park, while the pine plantations and a range of native vegetation types are managed in several State forests and forest reserves near the park.

Named by Cook during his epic voyage along Australia's east coast, the Glass Houses are rhyolite plugs formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago. Remnants of the open eucalypt woodland and heath vegetation, which once covered the coastal plains, provide a home for an interesting variety of animals and plants, including 26 rare and threatened plant species.

The Glass House Mountains area was a special meeting place where many Aboriginal people gathered for ceremonies and trading. This place is considered spiritually significant with many ceremonial sites still present and protected today.

The Beerburrum and Beerwah State Forests and Forest Reserves are extensive forests that lie either side of the Bruce Highway and extend north from Caboolture to Caloundra, and from Pumicestone Passage west to Woodford. They include exotic pine plantations, open eucalypt forest, rainforest and coastal wallum remnants. Coochin Creek camping area is located in this forest, east of the Bruce Highway.

The Bellthorpe State Forest and Forest Reserve are west of the Glass House Mountains, at the southern end of the Conondale Range. They are quite rugged with open eucalypt forest, rainforest, waterfalls and cascades along picturesque Stony Creek. Visitors can use forest tracks for walking but you need to be very well prepared and self-sufficient and be aware that mobile phone reception does not work in this area. Dularcha National Park and Mooloolah Forest Reserve include a bat colony in an historic railway tunnel and some attractive bushlands are protected within these parks, just north of Landsborough.

Climbing is a popular past time for climbers within this area, Mount Ngungun, Mount Tibrogargan and Mount Beerwah are for experienced climbers only. Facilities include disabled access, public toilets, shelter sheds, drinking water and BBQs. Please be aware that Mount Coonowrin (Crookneck) is closed to public access.

Things to do

• A beautiful place to stop and picnic is Stony Creek in Bellthorpe Forest Reserve (please don't dive in the creek)
• Use the picnic tables & toilets at the bases of Mount Beerwah or Mount Tibrogargan
• There are some spectacular walking tracks through open woodlands and heaths to panoramic lookouts & mountain summits
• Mount Ngungun provides opportunities for rock face climbing & abseiling for 20 to 45m roped sports
• Registered 4WD, trail bikes, horses & bicycles may be driven on roads in the forest. Special permits are not required unless it is a commercial activity
• Camp! The camping area and day-use area at Coochin Creek is ideal for visitors who enjoy fishing and boating. Camping permits are required and fees apply

Site Description  National Park

Site Facilities  Access for Disabled, BBQ Area, Drinking Water, Hut, Picnic Area, Public Toilets, Rest Area

Tour Types  Self Guided Tours

Attractions  Cliffs, Lookout, Rare & Endangered Species, Rivers & Lakes, Scenic Views, Wildlife

Activities  Animal Viewing, Birdwatching, Bushwalking, Gorge walking, Nature Study, Picnicking, Rock Climbing, Walking

Add Your Business. Reach Millions of Travellers Worldwide.

Sunshine Hinterland Travel Guide