Volcanic Peaks and Hinterland Views: The Real Glass House Mountains Scenic Drive

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The Glass House Mountains are on Kabi Kabi Country. I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this special area and their connection to Country, and pay my respects to their Elders past and present. This area holds special cultural significance for the Kabi Kabi First Nations so be respectful and don't deface the peaks.

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Scenic tourist drives can be a bit odd in Queensland. On the Sunshine Coast, they aren’t always particularly scenic—or touristy. At least not the “official” ones.

When we first ‘explored’ the Glass House Mountains Tourist Drive (#24) many years ago, we found that the brown road markers mostly just lead you along the well-trafficked Steve Irwin Way.

It’s a drive without much of a view of anything. There is one point where you can catch a glimpse of Mount Tibrogargan, but it’s not enough to redeem the route in my book.

However, by skipping the official signs and taking the back roads instead, you actually get to see the dramatic volcanic outcrops you came for, and not just to pine plantations.

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GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAINS SCENIC DRIVE: EXPLORING THE BACK ROADS

Don’t try to see every lookout and hike every trail if you’ve only got two hours. The Glass House Mountains are most enjoyable when you aren’t rushing to beat the sunset.

Pick the route that actually fits your energy levels and your clock.

Regardless of which route you pick, leave the thongs in the car if you plan on doing a walk. Even the ‘easy’ tracks can be surprisingly slippery after a bit of rain. And on sunny days, you might well run into a snake or two.

LOGISTICS: GETTING AROUND

BEST TIME TO VISIT

You can do this drive all year round, but your experience will change depending on the season.

• Autumn/winter (Apr–Sep): Clear views and dry tracks, ideal time for drives, the longer walks and basking in the crisp winter sunshine.
• Spring (Oct–Nov): The humidity slowly builds but the jacarandas are also in full bloom.
• Summer/wet season (Dec–Feb): Views become more hazy with high humidity. Most of the tracks are completely exposed, and hiking uphill in 30°C+ heat is a struggle. It also rains a lot.
• The rain factor: After rain, the tracks—especially the granite and rock sections—become incredibly slippery.
• The danger zone: If you plan on scrambling the peaks, save it for a dry day. On wet rock, that’s how accidents and deaths occur. Stick to the drive, the lookouts and the flatter tracks like the Tibrogargan Circuit rather than the peaks then.

VEHICLE CHOICE: 2WD ALL THE WAY

The route is completely sealed so any standard vehicle will do—just be mindful that some of the back road shoulders and bends are a bit narrower.

A SCENIC LOOP (THE BACK WAY): 5 FABULOUS STOPS

The best way to explore the Glass House Mountains is a loop—just not the one the tourism signs want you to take.

Start in either Beerburrum or Landsborough, both just off the Bruce Highway. By starting at one and winding your way to the other via the back roads, you’ll pass the actual lookouts rather than just pine plantation and busy traffic.

If you’re feeling energetic, you can throw in a short walk or two; otherwise, just stop in one of the towns for a coffee and call it a day.

It’s a 40–50km round trip depending on how many times you get distracted by a roadside pineapple stall or a better photo angle.

STOP 1: LANDSBOROUGH TO BEERBURRUM (THE “OFFICIAL” BIT)

If you are coming from the Sunshine Coast, make your way to the historic town of Landsborough, just off the Steve Irwin Way. From here, you’ll head south toward Beerburrum.

You are essentially following Tourist Drive #24 for this stretch, and to be honest, it’s not the most picturesque drive you’ll ever do. You will catch a glimpse of Mount Tibrogargan on your right as you head south, which is a decent teaser for what’s coming, but that’s about it for the views.

You could stop at the village of Glass House Mountains to check out the visitor information centre—it’s actually a neat little spot and worth it if you want to grab a physical map. Otherwise, keep moving; you can always stop by on your way back.

Once you hit Beerburrum, the drive actually starts to live up to its name. Turn off Steve Irwin Way onto Beerburrum Road, which becomes Beerburrum Woodford Road as you leave the township.

If you’re feeling energetic (and don’t mind a bit of a steep hill), this is where you can climb Mount Beerburrum. It’s a 1.4km return hike, but don’t let the short distance fool you—it’s a steep, paved uphill slog with almost zero shade. If you can handle the sun, the views from the firetower at the top are fantastic.

STOP 2: GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAINS LOOKOUT

From Beerburrum, turn right onto Old Gympie Road, and then left onto Glass House Woodford Road to reach the Glass House Mountains Lookout.

I have no idea why this spot isn’t on the official tourist drive, because the views of the volcanic outcrops from here are fabulous.

While you can’t actually see the sun dip below the horizon from here, I love watching the sunset at this spot. You often get these incredible pink hues hugging Mount Tibrogargan.

The road is sealed as far as the lookout, but it turns to gravel beyond that. Don’t bother exploring further—there isn’t much to discover past the lookout anyway.

If you’re desperate for a bit of exercise, there is a short 800m loop walk at the lookout, but honestly, it’s not particularly exciting. There are virtually no views from the track, so I’d only do it if I needed to hit my steps goal for the day.

A better use of your time might be to pack a picnic. The lookout is a great spot for lunch, or you can use the public BBQs to cook up a few sausages while you soak in the view.

STOP 3: THE “CHOOSE YOUR OWN DETOUR” STRETCH

Once you’ve finished your picnic, head back to Old Gympie Road and turn left to continue north.

This section is where the back roads really shine, and you’ve got a few options for a little extra loop depending on how much effort you want to put in:

• Marshs Road: Take this for some lovely, close-up views of Mount Tibrogargan. If you want to get out of the car, you can tackle the Mount Tibrogargan Circuit (3.3km) or the longer Trachyte Circuit (5.6km).
• Coonowrin Road: This gives you a broader perspective of Mount Tibrogargan from further away and leads you back toward the Glass House Mountains village if you need a second coffee.
• Fullertons Road: This is the turn-off for the incredibly popular Mount Ngungun. It’s a great hike, but be prepared for the sunrise and sunset crowds.

Once you’ve finished whichever detour took your fancy, navigate back to Old Gympie Road. You can follow it all the way back to Landsborough, or make one last stop at Lindeman Road to climb Mount Coochin.

I’ll be honest: I still haven’t done that one myself, so I have no idea if the views are worth the climb or if it’s a bit of a waste of time. If you do it, let me know if I’m missing out.

STOP 4: MARY CAIRNCROSS RESERVE

If you have any time (or daylight) left once you hit Landsborough, take the Maleny-Landsborough Road up into the hinterland hills.

You’re heading for the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, and on a clear day, the views across to Mount Beerwah and the rest of the range are genuinely impressive.

On really clear days in winter, you can even make out the Brisbane skyline in the far distance. It is best seen in the early morning or late afternoon when the light isn’t so harsh, and the humidity has to be low.

To get there, turn left at Mountain View Road once you’ve finished the climb up the range, or just follow the signs for Tourist Drive #23.

Don’t just look at the mountains and leave, though. There is a 1.75km sub-tropical rainforest loop at the reserve that you shouldn’t miss.

The education centre is also excellent, and the café has plenty of treats if you’ve worked up an appetite—including a decent range of gluten-free options. If you’d rather DIY, there are plenty of public BBQs and picnic tables in the park.

From here, you’re perfectly positioned to head to McCarthy’s Lookout for more stunning views. Or continue along the Blackall Range Tourist Drive (#23) if you want to explore Maleny and Montville.

STOP 5: WILD HORSE MOUNTAIN SCENIC LOOKOUT (THE HIGHWAY DETOUR)

If you are heading back via the Bruce Highway, it is worth one last detour to the Wild Horse Mountain Scenic Lookout, located about 9km northwest of Beerburrum.

Just follow the signs from the highway to the start of the track. It is a steep-ish 700m walk, but because it is paved the entire way, you could technically push a pram up there—though your calves might not thank you for it.

Once you’ve made it to the lookout, you’ll get 360 degree views—from the coast to the pine plantations and the volcanic outcrops.

For the clearest views, aim for the cooler months; the lower humidity means you won’t be squinting through a haze to see the peaks. If you are visiting outside of winter, stick to the early morning or sunset to get the best light.

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BEYOND THE GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAINS

Before you start your drive, check the Queensland National Parks website for the latest track alerts and maps.

If you’re looking for something completely different for your next weekend away, the Scenic Rim or a 4WD trip down Condamine River Road are my top picks for more mountain scenery.

Happy driving,

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