Can I climb Mount Tibrogargan in the Glass House Mountains National Park?

It is possible to climb Mount Tibrogargan in the Glass House Mountains National Park, but it is dangerous without climbing experience. Visitors to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland should try the Tibrogargan Circuit and Mountain View lookout walks instead.

Mount Tibrogargan might not be the highest mountain in Australia. That honour goes to Mt Kosciuszko near Thredbo in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales. But what it lacks in height, it makes up for in unusual looks.

Mount Tibrogargan is in the Glass House Mountains National Park, officially part of the Sunshine Coast hinterland, but a fairly short drive from Brisbane. It’s not even a mountain – Mount Tibrogargan is a volcanic plug that juts out of the surrounding landscape. It’s just 364 metres high, but the way it rises from seemingly nowhere makes Mount Tibrogargan special.

Mount Tibrogargan in the Glasshouse Mountains National Park, Sunshine Coast, Queensland — Mount Tibrogargan sticks out in the Glasshouse Mountains National Park. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

Climbing Mount Tibrogargan

But is it possible to climb Mount Tibrogargan? Well, yes, but you might want to reconsider doing so. It is regarded as a spiritual place for the local Aboriginal people. They don’t climb Mount Tibrogargan, and they ask that you don’t either. It’s a similar case to that of Uluru in the Northern Territory’s Red Centre – the local Indigenous people long asked visitors not to climb Uluru. After decades, the pressure paid off and climbing Uluru was banned. Similar will probably happen for Mount Tibrogargan eventually.

The other reason not to climb Mount Tibrogargan in the Glass House Mountains National Park is that it is frankly dangerous. A 3.3km, three hour, grade 4 walk might not seem that challenging, but you’re essentially rock climbing for much of it. There are very steep and precarious sections with loose rocks. Experienced scrambling skills are required, and if you’ve not got them, don’t even think about it.

12 fantastic Sunshine Coast experiences to book now

Taste coffee and ginger, do rainforest walks, and visit the best lookouts on a highlight-packed hinterland tour.
Take a serene Noosa Everglades cruise along the mirror-like waterways – or canoe through the Everglades.
Learn to surf at a Sunshine Coast surf school – or try paddleboarding instead.
Combine sight-seeing and thrills on a fast boat tour.
Go e-mountain biking on the downhill trails of Tewantin National Park.
Kayak with dolphins as part of a beach 4WD tour.
Explore the Sunshine Coast from above on a seaplane flight.
Take an indigenous cultural tour – with bush tucker tasting.
Visit the region’s best craft breweries and distilleries on a drinks tasting tour.
Go jetskiing through the gorgeous Pumicestone Passage.
Taste wines, cheeses and chocolates on a hinterland food tour.
Watch migrating humpbacks on a whale-watching cruise.

Mountain View lookout and Tibrogargan Circuit

If you’re visiting the Glass House Mountains National Park, you’re better off just doing the short walk to the Mountain View lookout. This lookout also takes in Mount Beerwah, Mount Coonowrin, Mount Tunbubudla and Mount Tibberoowuccum. It’s about 10 minutes’ walk from the Mount Tibrogargan car park, just off Steve Irwin Way between Beerburrum and Beerwah.

You can continue around the base of Mount Tibrogargan on the Tibrogargan Circuit. This is 4.1km long, and you’ll often spot soaring peregrine falcons along the way. It’s much, much easier and far less dangerous than attempting the climb. For more information, visit the Queensland Government’s Parks and Forests department.

Another option is to undertake the much easier 2.8km return walk to the top of nearby Mount Ngungun.