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Mount Beerwah Climb – summit hike in the Glass House Mountains
Mount Beerwah is the highest of the eleven rocky peaks scattered across the beautiful Glass House Mountains on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. Read this complete hiking guide to climbing Mount Beerwah if you've decided to climb the viewpoint at the summit. Just an hour's drive from Brisbane lies one of Australia's most famous hinterlands. These rocky mountain outcrops were formed after volcanic eruptions over 25 million years ago. All eleven peaks are significant indigenous landmarks with an important history for the Jinibara people. It's important to me to tell you that you should show respect in the area. …
Mount Beerwah Climb – summit hike in the Glass House Mountains
Mount Beerwah is the highest of the eleven rocky peaks scattered across the beautiful Glass House Mountains on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. Read this complete hiking guide to climbing Mount Beerwah if you've decided to climb the viewpoint at the summit.
Just an hour's drive from Brisbane lies one of Australia's most famous hinterlands. These rocky mountain outcrops were formed after volcanic eruptions over 25 million years ago. All eleven peaks are significant indigenous landmarks with an important history for the Jinibara people.
It's important to me to tell you that you should show respect in the area. The local tribes don't particularly like people climbing the peaks, but if you choose to do so, please do so with respect. Although it is discouraged, many people attempt the summit of Mount Beerwah every day, usually without a proper guide for reference. That's why I wrote this blog post to better prepare hikers who want to enjoy this incredible place from the summit.
Also note that the climb to Mount Beerwah is steep and involves a via ferrata rather than a pleasant walk. Make sure you plan your trip based on your own skills and experience and monitor conditions. Do not attempt this hike if it has rained or if rain is forecast.
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How to get to Mount Beerwah Trailhead
The Mount Beerwah Trailhead has its own designated car park in the hinterland of the Glass House Mountains, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes from Brisbane or 1 hour 20 minutes from Noosa. Sections leading to the trailhead parking lot are sealed, so you don't need a four-wheel drive to get there.
Enter the location below and Google Maps will guide you to the parking lot.
Climbing Mount Beerwah
Climbing Mount Beerwah is a rewarding experience for those looking for the absolute best views in the Glass House Mountains. However, once you reach the rocky outcropping at the start of the trail, you'll realize that this hike is much more of a climb than a hike.
Again, if you are not afraid of heights or don't have much experience with steeper trails, I would suggest choosing one of the other popular trails in the area. Warnings aside, if you're up to the challenge, a steep climb awaits, followed by an easy, wraparound goat trail to the summit. If you scroll down, I've written a clearer step-by-step hiking guide below that goes into a bit more detail.
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Things you should know before attempting the climb
I mentioned it at the beginning of this blog post, but if you skipped it, don't try to climb Mount Beerwah if it has rained. The rocks are steep and almost impossible to climb when wet. This means you'll also need to check the weather radar to make sure you don't get stuck in the rain at the summit.
Many people have found themselves stranded on the way down Mount Beerwah due to bad weather, falls, or just a fear of heights. Don't be one of those people and prepare accordingly. A helicopter fee is not cheap!
Story
The indigenous people of this area are Jinibara.
Beerwah is actually two words; Birra means heaven and Wandum means climbing upwards in the Turrbal language. Together, Bira-wa means to rise to the sky, a fitting name for such an unusual mountain rising from the plateau below.
The Glass House Mountains are a sacred place for Traditional Owners. It was a special meeting place to conduct trade and take part in important ceremonies. According to legend, Mount Tibrogargan is the father, Ngungun is his faithful dingo, and Mount Beerwah is the holy mother.
Read more about the Glass House Mountains Dreamtime Stories here.
What to Expect on the Mount Beerwah Climb – Hiking Guide
This section should help you climb Mount Beerwah if you are well prepared. Remember that the route is not a climbing garden and there are several ascent routes. My advice is to wear shoes with grip and keep moving and follow the best footholds and handholds.
First Section – The Steepest Rock Scramble
The via ferrata to the summit begins just a few hundred meters from the starting point of the hiking trail. This first section is in fact the steepest and most difficult part of the entire scramble. There are some obvious cracks and a worn route is visible on the face.
Luckily, this was my second climb of Mount Beerwah, so I was well prepared for this section and not put off by the difficulty.
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Shortly after overcoming the initial scramble, we continued upward, moving steadily and thoughtfully. As I mentioned earlier, there is no specific route. However, I would suggest taking breaks on flat sections to plan your route up the wall, as it can be easy to deviate along a dangerous route.
There are several rocky outcrops along the way where you can rest and enjoy the ever-improving views as you climb the incredible climb to Mount Beerwah.
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The Beerwah organ pipes
After a fairly long via ferrata you reach a towering vertical wall. This corresponds to around the 80% mark and means the end of the steep climbing.
The Organ Pipes are a famous climbing garden. You'll often see people carrying ropes and climbing gear up to tackle this epic wall.
There are also some caves just under the wall that are worth visiting.
Follow the arrows and the obvious well-trodden path leading to the right to reach the final stage of the Mount Beerwah climb to the summit.
alt=“GLASSHOUSE MOUNTAINS HIKING ORGAN PIPES CLIMBING CLIMBING”>
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Final section – goat trail to the summit of Mount Beerwah
This final stage is easy and requires no climbing or scrambling. A winding path leads along a rocky goat path around the face of Beerwah to the summit.
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The Mount Beerwah summit
On my most recent climb of Mount Beerwah, I was lucky enough to experience an absolutely incredible sunrise. The rising sun shone on the low blanket of fog, making us feel like we were thousands of meters above the clouds.
From the summit you'll be rewarded with sweeping views across the hinterland of the Glass House Mountains, with all 11 major mountains in sight. We spend an hour at the summit in awe of the incredible views and admiring the sacredness of the mountain.
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The descent
For many, myself included, the descent is much more difficult than the initial climb. When I say that, I think it's more of a mental challenge when you go backwards. Follow the same path you took to the summit to return to the Mount Beerwah car park.
Just as the first section of the climb was the most difficult, the descent to the final wall is difficult. When you see the finish line, avoid going right. Deceptively, this route looks like it would be an easier way down, but ends in an almost vertical descent with limited footholds.
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More epic Queensland travel guides and articles
I hope you enjoyed this hiking guide to tackling the climb to Mount Beerwah in the Glass House Mountains in Queensland. For more epic adventure articles and ideas from Queensland and around Australia, check out some of my other posts below.
If you have any questions or want to share your experience, leave a comment in the box below.
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