Girraween National Park Southern Queensland Country

The Sphinx is a giant granite pinnacle with a huge balancing tor on top. Photo credit: © Ted Colles

Like to become a campground host?

The department is seeking volunteers to act as campground hosts at Girraween National Park over the Queensland school holidays. Photo credit: Darren Jew © Queensland Government

The Sphinx and Turtle Rock

Hike along a ridge top to an ancient granite pinnacle and a large balancing tor, both towering over the landscape.

Journey type
Walk
Distance
7.4km return Start and finish points are the same and the traveller must return via the same path
Time suggested
Allow 3-4hr walking time.
Grade
Grade 3 walking track

Accessible by

  • Conventional vehicle
  • Bicycle

Journey facilities

  • Lookout (natural)
  • Walking

Branch off Castle Rock and take an easy walk along the ridge top to see these huge granite features. Marvel at The Sphinx, a granite pinnacle bearing a massive balancing topside tor—how does it stay perfectly balanced? Then discover the large granite monolith resembling a turtle's back. Look for the interesting plants and animals that thrive around the base. Can you find the angle from which this granite formation looks like a turtle?

Natural lookouts along the way offer superb views across the open woodlands of southern Girraween. You'll need around 4hr to complete the hike combining Castle Rock, The Sphinx and Turtle Rock.

Getting there and getting around

The Sphinx and Turtle Rock is one of the southern walking tracks in Girraween National Park, located on the Queensland–New South Wales border, 260km by road south-west of Brisbane.

The Sphinx and Turtle Rock track begins on the southern side of Pyramids Road, near the Girraween Visitor Centre car park. There are two access roads (northern and western) to the centre, both accessible by conventional vehicles.

From Brisbane to western entrance

  • Drive about 220km south-west along the New England Highway via Warwick to Stanthorpe.
  • Continue 26km along the New England Highway to Wyberba (30km north of Tenterfield).
  • Turn onto Pyramids Road and follow this winding bitumen road through the Wyberba Valley 6km east to the western park entrance.
  • Drive about 3km to the Girraween Visitor Centre.

From Brisbane to northern entrance

  • Drive about 220km south-west along the New England Highway via Warwick to Stanthorpe.
  • Turn onto Sugarloaf Road, which turns into Eukey Road and drive about 15km via Storm King Dam towards Eukey.
  • About 1km before Eukey, turn onto Breens Road, drive 2.5km then turn onto Pyramids Road and drive about 6km to the northern park entrance.
  • Drive about 4km to the Girraween Visitor Centre.

Wheelchair access

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Before you visit

Opening hours

The Sphinx and Turtle Rock is open 24 hours a day.

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Girraween safely and Walk with care.

  • There are currently no park alerts for this park.