About Glass House Mountains

Park features

Craggy peaks tower over a scenic patchwork of pine plantations, bushland and cultivated fields. Many of the peaks are protected in Glass House Mountains National Park.

Named by Lieutenant James Cook during his epic voyage along Australia's east coast, the Glass House Mountains are intrusive plugs formed by volcanic activity about 27 to 26 million years ago.

Remnants of the open eucalypt woodland and heath vegetation provide a home for an interesting variety of animals and plants, including 20 plant species of conservation significance. Discover more about the park’s plants by purchasing a copy of the 'Ranger field guide: Native plants of Glass House Mountains National Park', or obtain a species list.

The Glass House Mountains area is a special meeting place where many First Nation Peoples gathered for ceremonies and trading. It is considered spiritually significant with many ceremonial sites still present and protected today.

• Read more about the nature, culture and history of the Glass House Mountains area.
• Glass House Mountains safety video
  The Glass House Mountains are not easy climbs. It is important to be prepared so that you can have a safe and enjoyable visit. Take six minutes to watch this safety video. It could help save you from having to stay overnight or be rescued.

Looking after the park

For generations, the Glass House Mountains have held great spiritual significance for First Nation Peoples. Their creation stories and beliefs are reflected in the strong links that continue today. Because these mountains have high spiritual significance for local indigenous people, visitors are asked to be considerate and use only the walking tracks and lookouts provided.

You can help protect these special places, and ensure the survival of the plants and animals living here, by following these guidelines:

• Everything within the national park is protected. Do not take or interfere with plants, animals, soil or rocks—this includes graffiti and trail marking. Penalties apply.
• Do not feed or leave food for animals. Human food can harm wildlife and cause some animals to become aggressive.
• Stay on the track. Do not cut corners or create new tracks.
• Take your rubbish away with you for appropriate disposal. Rubbish bins are not provided in the park.
• Obey signs and safety notices.

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

Park management

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) manages the park under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. For detailed park management information read the Glass House Mountains Management Plan (PDF, 143.3KB) .

Exotic pine plantations in the surrounding area are managed by HQPlantations Pty Ltd.

The Glass House Mountains National Park is within an ‘inter-urban break’—a 63,000-hectare area of mainly agricultural and forested landscapes, including a large proportion of public land which is mostly national park or State forest. The Inter-urban Break Outdoor Recreation Plan provides public land managers with a guide to work together to protect the natural beauty of the landscape while supporting a range of recreational opportunities in suitable locations. The Inter-Urban Break Outdoor Recreation Plan Project has been a collaborative approach undertaken by a Management Team with members from Sunshine Coast Council, Department of Environment and Science, Moreton Bay Regional Council, HQPlantations and Queensland Government's Department of Housing and Public Works – Sport and Recreation.

Tourism information links

Visit Sunshine Coast
www.visitsunshinecoast.com
ph 1300 847 481 (within Australia)
email visit@visitsunshinecoast.com

The Glass House Mountains Visitor and Interpretive Centre is a great place to visit first for an orientation to the area. It is located at Settler's Rotary Park, Bruce Parade, corner of Reed Street, Glass House Mountains.

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.