Glass House Mountains Walking Track Classifi Cation Occurring Lookouts
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Explore Glass House Mountains and surrounds National parks and forests The volcanic peaks of the Glass House Mountains rise dramatically from the surrounding Sunshine Aboriginal links to the land European settlement Coast landscape. For traditional Aboriginal people, this area was a special During the 1860s, many things changed for the Aboriginal For many generations, these mountains have held meeting place for ceremonies and trading. The Glass people here. Vast areas of timber were felled and burnt great spiritual signifi cance for Aboriginal people. Their House Mountains area is considered sacred ground, with to make way for farming and stock. The railway from creation stories and beliefs are refl ected in strong many ceremonial sites still present and protected today. Caboolture to Landsborough, built in 1890, opened the links that remain in the Aboriginal community today. way for more intense settlement. Large festivals and gatherings, such as bunya nut Individually, the mountain peaks have traditional festivals, were held at times when local food sources As part of the Beerburrum soldier settlement scheme Aboriginal names. Collectively they are known as were peaking. This way a crowd of hundreds of people in the early 1900s, ex-servicemen and their families the Glass House Mountains — a name given to them could be catered for with minimal effort. Aboriginal were allocated land and grew pineapples. Many farms, by Lieutenant James Cook in 1770. In the following people could read nature’s “signs” and knew that events, however, were unsuccessful and farmers turned to the extract from Cook’s journal on Thursday, such as certain trees in fl ower, heralded another food timber industry to survive. 17 May 1770, he noted: supply. Early missionaries saw gatherings in this area of up to a few thousand people. The bush here sustained ‘These hills lie but a little way inland, people for thousands and not far from each other, they are very of years. The Glass House remarkable on account of their singular Mountains area provided form of their elevation, which resembles many resources from a glasshouses which occasioned my giving varied and rich environment them that name…’ which included river systems, open forests, coastal wetlands and mountain forests. Take a closer look at these amazing geological Bankfoot House serviced the Cobb & Co coach which brought many formations, the plant and animal communities that people through here during the Gympie gold rush day. Landsborough Museum live here and the areas’ cultural signifi cance. Walking The dilly bag was often used to catch fi sh and carry seafood and also to trade with tracks through tranquil forests, scenic lookouts and other inland groups for fl int. Records show picnic areas are provided in national parks, state that tools were found in this area from as forests and forest reserves around the Glass House far away as Kingaroy, some 150km away. Mountains peaks. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) manages these areas under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and the Forestry Act 1959. • Protect yourself from the sun. Wear sunscreen, a Plantation forests Getting there hat and long-sleeved clothing, even on cloudy days. Start longer walks at cooler times of the day to avoid The timber industry is a signifi cant part of the history The Glass House Mountains are approximately one heat exhaustion on hot days. of the Glass House Mountains area and today, the hours’ drive north of Brisbane. From the Bruce Highway, • Tell friends or family where you are going and when pine plantations remain a feature of the landscape. take the Glass House Mountains turnoff along the Steve you expect to return. If you change your plans, In the early years, a substantial sawmilling town Irwin Way and follow the signs. This iconic Australian inform them. called Campbellville was established on the banks of landscape was added to the National Heritage List in Coochin Creek. During this time, timber was fl oated 2006 as a “Landscape of National Signifi cance”. • Observe and comply with all regulatory signs. downstream to Pumicestone Passage after being processed at the sawmill. Forest plantations in this area were originally planted Bushwalking safety in the early 1930s. Pine plantations around Mount Tibrogargan and Tunbubudla Twins were replanted in Be prepared, even on short walks, and use sound the 1980s and 1990s with Caribbean pine, slash pine, judgement. Your safety is our concern, but your and a slash-Caribbean pine hybrid. responsibility. Prior to harvesting forest plantations, native timbers • Carry this track map. along watercourses are often marked to identify and • Avoid walking during wet weather. Tracks can be preserve native buffer strips. These buffer strips protect slippery, especially after rain. water quality, prevent erosion and provide corridors for wildlife. For further information about plantation areas • Stay away from cliff edges. contact: Forestry Plantations QLD (Beerburrum) • Never walk alone — if something happens to you ph (07) 5438 6666. someone in your group can go for help. • Walk to your ability and fi tness levels. Caring for this area • Supervise children at all times. • Carry enough drinking water, food, a mobile phone As these mountains have great spiritual signifi cance and insect repellent. to the local Aboriginal people, visitors are asked to be considerate and use only the walking tracks and • Carry a fi rst aid kit and know how to use it. lookouts provided. Help protect these special places for • Wear suitable shoes. future enjoyment and to ensure the survival of native plants and animals that live here. • Plan to complete your walk well before dark. Naumann Ross Tibrogargan circuit • Caution needed at creek crossings, cliff edges and naturally Glass House Mountains Walking track classifi cation occurring lookouts. • Reasonable level of fi tness and ankle-supporting footwear The Glass House Mountains are the eroded remnants Each track has been classifi ed so you are better able to recommended. of volcanoes active approximately 25–27 million years select a walk that matches your bushwalking experience and fi tness. Wheelchair-assisted access is possible at Glass ago. These mountains were formed from plugs and Class 4 track Australian Standards masses of molten rock which solidifi ed into hard rock House Mountains Lookout, Coochin Creek camping and day-use area, and Stony Creek day-use area. Take time to called trachyte and rhyolite. Since then, extensive • Distinct tracks with junctions signposted, rough track read these classifi cation details before walking out into the surfaces with exposed roots and rocks. erosion and lowering of the land surface has removed park — you owe it to yourself and those in your party. the exteriors of the volcanic cones and the surrounding • Variable in width, muddy sections and steep grades likely to be encountered. softer sandstone rocks. As the volcanic mountains cooled, interesting vertical columns formed and this Class 2 track Australian Standards • May be extensively overgrown, hazards such as fallen trees can be seen today at Mount Beerwah, Mount Ngungun • Easy level track, suitable for all fi tness levels. and rockfalls likely to be present. and Mount Coonowrin. • All junctions signposted and include interpretive signs. • Caution needed at creek crossings, cliff edges and naturally occurring lookouts. This park offers • Moderate fi tness level with bushwalking experience and Class 3 track Australian Standards some spectacular ankle-supporting footwear recommended. walking tracks which DERM • Distinct tracks with junctions signposted, rough track wind through open surfaces with some exposed roots and rocks. Class 5 track Australian Standards woodlands, montane • Variable in width; muddy sections, steep grades and heath and high summit steps may be encountered. • Steep track with irregular surface and loose stones. peaks. This area is home • May be partially overgrown; hazards such as fallen trees • Considerable exposure to the elements may be experienced. to koalas, goannas, and rock falls may be present. • High level of physical fi tness; rockclimbing experience, echidnas and grey fl exible-soled shoes with good grip required. kangaroos. Many birds such as kookaburras, cockatoos, lorikeets, The vulnerable glossy black-cockatoo Walking track classifi cation - a quick glance rosellas and peregrine is found in the Glass House falcons can also be seen. Mountains area. Track name Classifi cation Km return Time Platform lookout Pictogram Lookout circuit Class 3 800m 25mins √ Boat ramp Fishing legend Mount Beerburrum track Class 4 1.4km 1hr √ Picnic shelter Constructed lookout Wild Horse Mountain lookout track Class 3 1.4km 1hr √ Toilet Picnic area Campfi res Mount Ngungun summit Class 4 2.4km 2hrs prohibited Information Walking track Mountain View lookout Class 3 800m 45mins √ Wheelchair Trailbikes access Viewpoint prohibited Tibrogargan circuit Class 3 3.3km 1.5hrs Drinking water Domestic provided Car camping animals Trachyte circuit Class 4 6km 2–3hrs √ prohibited Barbecue Caravan site Western boundary walk Class 2 1.4km 45mins Car camping Fire rings Bike riding prohibited Tunnel track Class 3 6km 2hrs Bike riding Parking area Horse riding Mooloolah River circuit Class 2 500m 20mins prohibited Melaleuca walk Class 2 1.3km 40mins Places to visit 2 Mount Beerburrum (278m) 4 Mount Ngungun (253m) 1 Glass House Mountains Lookout Mount Beerburrum track Mount Ngungun summit 1.4km return. Allow 1hr. 2.4km return. Allow 2hrs. This steep paved track leads you to a fi re tower which A short drive from Glass House Mountains township will offers great views of the surrounding area. Mount take you to the lookout. The sheltered fi re tower provides Beerburrum’s fi re tower is used to detect and manage a platform to view the mountain peaks, Caloundra, fi res throughout the forestry areas. Maroochydore, Brisbane and Moreton Island. Robert Ashdown Robert Ross Naumann Ross Mount Ngungun This summit provides spectacular views of all of the four major mountain peaks.