Mount Coolum is a 208 m mountain in Mount Coolum National Park, midway between Noosa and Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast, and its steep 1.6 km return summit walk finishes with 360-degree views of the coast, the hinterland and the Glass House Mountains. It is graded 4, so it is a proper climb for fit walkers rather than a stroll, and thousands of people do it every month.
The walk starts at a car park off David Low Way, about 3.5 km south of Coolum Beach and about 115 km by road from the Brisbane CBD. There is a toilet block beside the car park, but dogs are not allowed in the national park and the rock near the top is very slippery when wet.
How hard is the Mount Coolum walk?
The summit track is 1.6 km return and graded 4, which council describes as suited to fit walkers only. It is short, but it is steep.
The first part is a pleasant stroll through native bushland and forest. Then the path becomes quite steep as it crosses the rock face, with steep stairs winding through dense shrub. About halfway up there is a natural rocky amphitheatre, a good place to rest and take in the coastline.
Allow about 1.5 hours for the return walk, roughly 45 minutes up and 30 minutes down. If you want time to rest on the way and sit at the top, Visit Sunshine Coast suggests allowing at least two hours all up.
The views from the top of Mount Coolum
The summit gives you 360-degree views. To the east the coast stretches from Double Island Point to Caloundra, and to the south you look over patchworked cane fields, river valleys and the rolling hills of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. The panorama takes in Point Cartwright, Noosa Heads and the Glass House Mountains.
Visit Sunshine Coast recommends the climb at sunrise, but the track advice is to walk only in daylight hours, so check sunrise and sunset times and plan to be off the rock before dark. If the view gets you hooked on summits, Mount Ngungun in the Glass House Mountains is another climb with a big payoff.
About the mountain
Mount Coolum is a striking volcanic dome, and its base is about 25 million years old. A pair of peregrine falcons nests on the cliffs (one of 25 to 35 known pairs in south-east Queensland), and walkers may also spot echidnas, northern brown bandicoots and grey-headed flying-foxes.
The name Coolum comes from a local Indigenous word, Gul’um, which council’s name origins page translates as “blunt” or “headless”, a reference to the mountain’s shape, since it has no summit point. Council named Mount Gul’um Park to honour the Kabi Kabi people, the area’s first custodians.
Toilets, facilities and what to bring
A toilet block stands beside the car park, with one accessible toilet and three ambulant cubicles, and it runs on its own solar power. Other facilities at the walk are limited, so bring your own water.
- Bottled water
- Enclosed shoes with good grip
- A hat and sunscreen
- Insect repellent in the warmer months
- Easy-to-carry snacks for the summit
- A camera
Our hiking tips for South East Queensland cover more on getting ready for a steep walk.
Is Mount Coolum dog friendly?
No. Dogs are not allowed in Queensland national parks, apart from certified assistance dogs. If your dog needs a run, the Coolum Beach guide covers where dogs are allowed on the sand.
Planning your visit
- How long: about 1.5 hours for the return walk, or two hours if you want time at the top.
- Best time: a dry day with an early enough start to finish in daylight. Do not climb after rain or in wet weather.
- Cost: no entry fee is listed for the walk. Check the signs at the car park for parking rules.
- Accessibility: the track is steep and rough and suits fit walkers only. No pram or wheelchair access details are published for it. The toilet block beside the car park includes an accessible toilet.
- Afterwards: Coolum Beach, about 3.5 km north, is the obvious place for a swim and a meal.
Getting there and parking
By car, take David Low Way and follow the national park signs to the car park, near the corner of Tanah Street West and Jarnahill Drive. Mount Coolum is about 115 km by road from the Brisbane CBD, about 1 hour 40 minutes without traffic, so allow longer on weekends and school holidays.
The car park is at the foot of the mountain, right at the start of the track. Read the signs for any time limits or rules.
By bus, Translink route 620 between Maroochydore and Noosa runs along David Low Way, with stops named David Low Way at Mount Coolum and David Low Way at Tanah Street. Check the Translink Journey Planner or call 13 12 30 to find the stop closest to the track and how far you will walk.
More on the park is on the Queensland Parks page and in Visit Sunshine Coast’s Climb Mount Coolum guide. Check the park page for alerts before you go, because conditions can change.
Nearby
- Coolum Beach – patrolled surf, a playground and cafes a short drive up the road.
- Peregian Beach – another Sunshine Coast beach to the north.
- Noosa National Park – coastal walks if you want a gentler outing.
- Mount Ngungun – a summit walk with big views in the Glass House Mountains.
- Things to do on the Sunshine Coast – more ideas for the rest of the day.
Browse more hiking trails, lookouts and places on the Sunshine Coast.
Quick answers
How long does it take to climb Mount Coolum?
About 1.5 hours for the return walk, roughly 45 minutes up and 30 minutes down. Allow two hours if you want time at the top.
How hard is the Mount Coolum walk?
It is graded 4 and suited to fit walkers only. The track is 1.6 km return but steep, with stairs and a rocky section near the top.
Are there toilets at Mount Coolum?
Yes, there is a toilet block beside the car park at the start of the walk, including an accessible toilet. There are no toilets on the track.
Can I take my dog up Mount Coolum?
No. Dogs are not allowed in Queensland national parks, apart from certified assistance dogs.
Can you climb Mount Coolum in the rain?
No. Do not attempt the walk in wet weather, because the rock near the top is very slippery when wet. Walk only in daylight.
How high is Mount Coolum?
The summit is 208 m above sea level, with 360-degree views of the coast, the hinterland and the Glass House Mountains.
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