The Glass House Mountains are a cluster of steep volcanic peaks about 70 km north of Brisbane, protected mostly within Glass House Mountains National Park on the Sunshine Coast. You can walk to the top of Mount Ngungun, circle the base of Mount Tibrogargan, or simply drive to a lookout and watch the peaks rise out of pine plantations, bush and farmland.
Most of the big peaks are for looking at rather than climbing: Mount Coonowrin is closed to the public, and the Traditional Owners ask visitors not to climb Beerwah and Tibrogargan. Below are the walks and lookouts that suit a day out, plus parking, toilets and where to start.
The Glass House Mountains peaks and which you can visit
Lieutenant James Cook named the peaks in 1770 because they reminded him of the glass furnaces of his home county, Yorkshire. They are the remains of volcanic plugs that formed about 25 to 27 million years ago; erosion has since worn away the softer rock around them. The Glass House Mountains National Landscape has been on the National Heritage List since 2006.
- Mount Beerwah (556 m) is the highest peak. You can see the Organ Pipes rock columns from the Beerwah day-use area.
- Mount Coonowrin (377 m) has been closed to the public since March 1999 because of the risk of falling rock, which had killed and injured climbers.
- Mount Tibrogargan (364 m) is the one with the big face looking east towards the ocean. You can walk right around its base on the Tibrogargan circuit.
- Mount Beerburrum (278 m) and Mount Ngungun (253 m) have walking tracks to the top.
Mount Ngungun summit walk
Mount Ngungun is an adventurous summit walk that suits families who are used to walking. It is 2.8 km return, takes about 2 hours and is graded 4, so it asks for a moderate level of fitness. The track starts in open forest off Fullertons Road and climbs to a summit with 360-degree views, including Tibrogargan, Coonowrin and Beerwah.
The track passes close to cliff edges, so keep a close eye on children. Rocks near the summit can be very slippery in wet weather. Sunrise and sunset are the best times to go. There is more on this walk in our Mount Ngungun guide.
Tibrogargan circuit and Mountain View lookout
The Tibrogargan circuit is a 4.1 km loop around the base of Mount Tibrogargan, graded 3: a formed track with some obstacles, short steep sections and plenty of steps. Allow about 1.5 hours. It does not go to the summit.
It starts at the car park on Marshs Road, between the Beerburrum and Glass House Mountains townships, where there are toilets and a picnic table. About 800 m to 1 km along the circuit you reach the Mountain View lookout, with views of Beerwah, Coonowrin, Tibberoowuccum and Tunbubudla. The rest of the loop passes casuarina groves and open eucalypt and melaleuca forest, with views of Tibrogargan’s cliffs. Mornings and evenings are best, when the light picks out the cliffs.
Longer and steeper Glass House Mountains walks
Trachyte circuit
The Trachyte circuit is 5.7 km return and takes 2 to 3 hours, crossing open woodland and heath to the Jack Ferris lookout on Trachyte Ridge.
Yul-yan-man track
This 9 km return track takes 3 to 4 hours, includes rock scrambling and gives 360-degree views and a sense of remoteness. It is recommended for experienced walkers. Yul-yan-man means “walk slowly” in the Kabi Kabi language.
Mount Beerburrum summit walk
Mount Beerburrum has a short but very steep track, graded 4, that takes about an hour return. It climbs steeply up a gully, then follows a paved, road-built path past a giant strangler fig to a fire lookout tower with 360-degree views. The track starts at the Beerburrum State School car park, and the nearest public toilets are at Parrot Park. The tower is manned in high fire danger.
Glass House Mountains lookouts you can drive to
Glass House Mountains lookout
The Glass House Mountains lookout day-use area is in Beerburrum State Forest, west of the peaks, off Glass House-Woodford Road. It is a low-effort stop: a short walk on concrete paths leads to the lookout and a fire tower for wider views of the peaks, Caloundra and Moreton Island. There is a free barbecue, picnic tables (some sheltered) and non-flush toilets, and the toilets and tables are wheelchair accessible with assistance.
Wild Horse Mountain lookout
Wild Horse Mountain is a short, steep walk of 0.7 km each way up a concrete road, graded 3. At the top a fire tower rotunda gives shade and seating, with information boards naming the peaks. The 360-degree views take in the Glass House Mountains to the west, Pumicestone Passage and Coochin Creek, and Mount Coolum to the north (see our Mount Coolum guide). The car park is at the end of the road off Johnston Road (Bruce Highway exit 171). Lock your car and take valuables with you, as vehicles are sometimes broken into here.
Beerwah day-use area
The Beerwah day-use area has toilets and a picnic table 100 m from the car park, and it is where you can see the Organ Pipes columns.
Glass House Mountains township: visitor centre and playground
The township has the Glass House Mountains Visitor and Interpretive Centre, in Rotary Settlers Park on the corner of Bruce Parade and Reed Street. Volunteer ambassadors can give tips on the walks, and there are maps, brochures and interactive displays on the area’s history. You can ring the centre on 1300 847 481.
The park around it works well for a break with kids. It has a fully fenced playground (a play fort with climbing net, balance bridge and slide, a flying fox, swings and rockers), barbecues, a shelter, picnic tables and natural shade. There is off-street parking, and the public toilets are open 9 am to 4 pm daily.
Is Glass House Mountains National Park dog friendly?
No. Queensland national parks do not allow domestic dogs, apart from certified assistance dogs, and the council listing for the Tibrogargan circuit also says dogs are prohibited. Camping is not allowed in the national park either; the Coochin Creek camping area is nearby.
Planning your visit
- How long: 30 to 60 minutes for a lookout, about 1.5 hours for the Tibrogargan circuit, about 2 hours for Mount Ngungun. Pair two stops and you have a half day.
- Best time: early morning or late afternoon, when the cliffs catch the light and, at dawn and dusk, eastern grey kangaroos and whiptail wallabies graze in the open forest. Avoid summit walks in wet weather.
- Cost: no entry fee is listed for the walks, lookouts or Rotary Settlers Park, and the lookout barbecue is free.
- What to bring: more water than you think you need, sun protection, a hat and supportive footwear. Our tips for hiking trails in South East Queensland cover the rest.
- Safety: check the Queensland Parks alerts for closures and track conditions before you go, tell someone your plans and call 000 in an emergency.
- Accessibility: the Tibrogargan circuit lists disabled access, but contact Queensland Parks for details; the lookout day-use area has wheelchair-accessible toilets and tables (assistance may be needed). No accessibility details are published for the summit walks.
Getting there and parking
By car, take the Bruce Highway (M1) north to the Glass House Mountains tourist drive exit onto Steve Irwin Way and follow the park signs. Beerburrum, Beerwah, Ngungun and Tibrogargan each have their own access road. It is about 65 to 70 km by road from the Brisbane CBD, about 65 minutes by car without traffic.
Each walk has its own car park: Marshs Road for the Tibrogargan circuit, Fullertons Road for Mount Ngungun, the end of the road off Johnston Road for Wild Horse Mountain, and the day-use area off Glass House-Woodford Road for the lookout.
By train, Glass House Mountains station is on the line to Nambour and Gympie North, in the township on Reed Street. The walks are not at the station: the Ngungun trailhead is about 3 km by road and the Tibrogargan car park about 6 km, and no bus to either trailhead is listed. Plan a trip with the Translink Journey Planner.
More detail is on Visit Sunshine Coast’s national park guide and the Queensland Parks page for Glass House Mountains National Park, which also carries current park alerts. Details can change, so check before you go.
Nearby
- Mount Ngungun – the summit walk with views of Beerwah, Coonowrin and Tibrogargan.
- Australia Zoo – at Beerwah, about 20 minutes by road from the Glass House Mountains lookout.
- Mount Coolum – another Sunshine Coast mountain with a summit walk, visible from Wild Horse Mountain.
- Montville – a Sunshine Coast hinterland village for a second stop.
- Noosa National Park – another Sunshine Coast national park, on the coast.
- Things to do on the Sunshine Coast – more ideas for the same day or weekend.
Browse more Glass House Mountains places, national parks, hiking trails and lookouts.
Quick answers
Can you climb the Glass House Mountains?
Some, yes. Mount Ngungun and Mount Beerburrum have walking tracks to the top, but Mount Coonowrin is closed to the public, and the Traditional Owners ask visitors not to climb Beerwah and Tibrogargan.
Is there a Glass House Mountains lookout you can drive to?
Yes. The Glass House Mountains lookout day-use area has toilets, picnic tables and a free barbecue, and needs only a short walk on concrete paths. Wild Horse Mountain lookout is a short, steep 0.7 km walk each way from its car park.
How far are the Glass House Mountains from Brisbane?
About 70 km north, around 65 minutes by car without traffic.
How long is the Mount Ngungun walk?
It is 2.8 km return and takes about 2 hours. It is graded 4 and passes close to cliff edges.
Can I take my dog to the Glass House Mountains?
Not into the national park, where dogs are not allowed apart from certified assistance dogs.
Is it free, and are there toilets?
No entry fee is listed for the walks or lookouts. Toilets are at the Tibrogargan car park, the Beerwah day-use area, the lookout day-use area and Rotary Settlers Park in the township.
0 Comments