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Mount Barney National Park

  • Nature, culture and history

    • Getting there and getting around

    The following directions are to Lower Portals and Yellow Pinch, at the base of Mount Barney.

    From Brisbane via Rathdowney

    Follow the Mount Lindesay Highway through Beaudesert to Rathdowney. One kilometre after Rathdowney, turn right on to the Boonah – Rathdowney Road and travel 8km to the Barney View – Upper Logan Road turn-off. After turning left, follow the signs to either Lower Portals or Yellow Pinch.

    From Boonah

    Follow the Boonah – Rathdowney Road south for 39km. Turn right on to the Barney View – Upper Logan Road then follow the signs to either Lower Portals or Yellow Pinch.

    To get to the Cleared Ridge carpark and the Upper Portals track, turn off the Boonah – Rathdowney Road onto Newmans Road, then turn left onto Waterfall Creek Road. A 4WD vehicle is required for access beyond the Mount May Reserve to the Cleared Ridge carpark.

    Wheelchair accessibility

    There are no wheelchair-accessible tracks or facilities in this park.

    Park features

    The distinctive peaks of Mount Barney, Mount Maroon, Mount May, Mount Lindesay, Mount Ernest, Mount Ballow and Mount Clunie make up Mount Barney National Park. These rugged peaks are the remains of the ancient Focal Peak Shield Volcano which erupted 24 million years ago. Mount Barney is the second highest peak in south-east Queensland.

    The park has extremely varied vegetation with open forests around the foothills of the peaks, subtropical rainforest above 600m and montane heath shrublands towards the summits. The summit of Mount Ballow is cool temperate rainforest, and on Mount Maroon it is mallee eucalypt shrublands. Many rare and unusual plant species grow in the park including the endangered Maroon wattle Acacia saxicola, the rare mallee ash Eucalyptus codonocarpa, Mount Barney bush pea Pultenaea whiteana and Eucalyptus michaeliana.

    Most of Mount Barney National Park is in the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area.

    Camping and accommodation

    Camping

    Car-based camping is not available in Mount Barney National Park but is permitted nearby at Mount May Reserve (no facilities) and at three privately run campgrounds just outside the park. The private campgrounds have toilets, showers and barbecues. Mount Barney Lodge campground is near Yellow Pinch Reserve. Bigriggen and Flanagans reserves are closer to the Boonah – Rathdowney Road.

    Walk-in bush camping is permitted at several sites in the park. There are no facilities at any of these sites. To reduce environmental impacts there are limits on the number of people who may camp at each campsite. These limits may change as a result of ongoing research and monitoring. Campsites may be closed from time to time to allow for regeneration or during periods of high fire danger

    To camp in the national park you will need to buy a camping permit well in advance; it is recommended that you book 6 to 8 weeks in advance for public holidays. To camp at all other locations in the national park it is essential to buy a camping permit 3 to 6 weeks in advance. Fees apply.

    Bush campers should expect rugged conditions with no facilities. Please read and follow the guidelines for staying safe and for minimal impact bushwalking.

    Other accommodation

    Hotel, motel, lodges, cabins, bed and breakfast and caravan park accommodation is available at Boonah and Rathdowney. For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Things to do

    Walking

    There are three marked tracks at the base of Mount Barney: the Lower Portals, Cronan Creek and Upper Portals tracks. There are long, steep climbs on unformed trails to the tops of Mount Maroon (the Cotswold track) and Mount Barney, which should only be attempted by very fit walkers. There are no formed or marked tracks elsewhere in the park, so other areas are accessible only to fit, well-equipped bushwalkers with sound navigational skills.

    Other national parks in the region, including Moogerah Peaks, Lamington, Springbrook, Tamborine and Main Range, provide easier conditions with formed, signposted walking tracks and more developed visitor facilities.

    Please read and follow the guidelines for staying safe and for minimal impact bushwalking.

    Key to track standards

    Class 4 track (Australian standards)

    Class 5 track (Australian standards)

    Around the base of Mount Barney

    Lower Portals — 7.4km return (Allow about 3 hours walking time) Class 4

    This track leaves from the Lower Portals car park and goes to the Lower Portals, a beautiful pool along a gorge on Mount Barney Creek. This walk has moderate to steep gradients.

    Cronan Creek — 13km return (Allow about 5 hours walking time) Class 4

    From Yellow Pinch car park, a pleasant walk along the fire trail leads you past the base of South Ridge into cool green rainforest. (Note: The climb up South Ridge is rugged and steep and for experienced walkers only).

    Upper Portals — 8km return (Allow about 3 hours walking time) Class 4

    The Upper Portals track leads from the Cleared Ridge carpark to the Upper Portals. This walk has some steep gradients. Access to Cleared Ridge requires a 4WD vehicle. The drive takes about 45 minutes from the Lower Portals/Yellow Pinch area.

    Mount Barney peaks

    The unmarked or barely marked trails to the peaks of Mount Barney require bushwalking experience and navigational skills. The climb up Mount Barney via South Ridge is arduous and should only be undertaken by very fit, experienced bushwalkers. Other peaks and routes up Mount Barney require a very high level of fitness, experience and navigational skills. All walks take at least seven hours and should not be attempted late in the day.

    Mount Maroon summit

    Cotswold track — 6km return (Allow about 8 hours walking time) Class 5

    In spring this summit provides spectacular wildflower displays set against the craggy peaks of the Scenic Rim. Allow a full day to reach the summit safely and to return to your vehicle.

    Other peaks and routes

    Routes to and around the Mount Lindesay, Mount May, Mount Ernest and Mount Ballow areas require sound navigational and bushwalking skills and equipment. Route conditions change and it is important to contact the park office before setting out.

    Picnic and day-use areas

    There are picnic tables, toilets, barbecues and information displays at Yellow Pinch at the base of Mount Barney.

    Things to know before you go

    Essentials to bring

    Opening hours

    Mount Barney National Park is open 24 hours a day. For your safety, walk in daylight hours only.

    Permits and fees

    All camping within Mount Barney National Park requires a camping permit and fees apply.

    Pets

    Domestic animals are not permitted in Mount Barney National Park.

    Climate and weather

    Mount Barney experiences rapid changes in temperature and weather. Winters are usually dry and cold with frosty nights, temperatures dropping to an average minimum of –4°C. Summers are warm to very hot, especially on the exposed ridges, reaching 25–40°C, with cooler nights, averaging 15–18°C. Watch out for late spring and summer thunderstorms, which bring lightning and unseasonably cold weather. Most rain falls between November and March.

    For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Fuel and supplies

    Fuel and supplies are available at Boonah and Rathdowney. For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Staying safe

    Good preparation is the key to a safe bushwalking trip. Walkers should seek advice on route selection and other detailed information at the park office before setting out.

    It is advisable for bushwalkers to familiarise themselves with the area by doing shorter walks before attempting an extended walk. Guidebooks covering most walks are available from bushwalking equipment stores and some bookshops.

    Even accomplished bushwalkers can experience difficulties. Every year some walkers become lost, injured or overdue. Search and rescue operations are costly, endanger searchers' lives and can damage the environment. Minimise your risk. Prepare yourself before you leave. Remember that your safety is up to you.

    To sum up — be prepared and use sound judgement.

    In an emergency

    Mobile phone coverage is not reliable in Mount Barney National Park, but may be available in areas with high elevation. The nearest hospitals are in Beaudesert and Boonah.

    For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.

    Looking after the park

    Minimal impact bushwalking means being thoughtful about your actions in the bush. To minimise your impact on the environment, please follow these guidelines.

    In addition, please help us care for Mount Barney National Park by observing these rules.

    See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

    Park management

    Mount Barney National Park and Mount Lindesay National Park were gazetted as separate parks on 6 September 1947. Mount Barney National Park was extended to include Mount May and Mount Maroon in 1950. Thirty years later, in 1980, the two parks were amalgamated to form the current Mount Barney National Park, named after the park's highest and most imposing peak.

    In December 1994, the World Heritage Committee officially declared the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area over the Scenic Rim (including Lamington and most of Main Range, Springbrook and Mount Barney National Parks) and the rainforests of northern New South Wales.

    World Heritage status is a prestigious international recognition of the important conservation values of this area, especially its unique geology, subtropical and cool temperate rainforests and rare fauna.

    See the description of the park's nature, culture and history for more information about the history and values of the park.

    A management plan for Mount Barney National Park will be prepared in the future.

    Tourism information links

    For more information about activities, tours and accommodation in this region, contact:

    Beaudesert Country Tourism

    For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au.

    Further information

    EPA Boonah
    • 3522 Ipswich – Boonah Road, Coulson QLD 4310
    • ph (07) 5463 5041
    • fax (07) 5463 5042
    • email boonah@epa.qld.gov.au
    EPA Customer Service Centre
    • 160 Ann Street, Brisbane
    • PO Box 15155, City East QLD 4002
    • ph (07) 3227 8185
    • fax (07) 3227 8749
    • email csc@epa.qld.gov.au
    Smart Service (for camping bookings)

    << Return to Mount Barney National Park summary


    Last updated: 18 March 2008