Things to do
Look for the distinctive volcanic outcrop known as Glen Rock.
Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government
The camping area is situated in a narrow valley surrounded by steep ridges.
Photo credit: Claire Grant © Queensland Government
Camping and accommodation
Glen Rock camping area offers shady areas with some privacy, as well as a large group camping area. It has toilets, picnic tables, barbecues (BYO firewood), cold showers and tap water (treat water before drinking). It is a 42km drive south of Gatton.
- Camping permits are required and fees apply.
- Find out more about camping in Main Range Conservation Park.
- Book your camp site online.
- If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.
Other accommodation
There is a range of holiday accommodation in and around Gatton.
For more information see the tourism information links.
Walking
Walkers can head uphill along the Mount Machar track and Christies loop, or keep to the valley floor along Blackfellow Creek trail. Always carry drinking water and allow 15 to 20min to walk 1km. Cyclists and horseriders share some of these trails. Walkers must give way to horses. Cyclists must give way to walkers and horses.
If you intend to go on an extended walk into remote areas of the neighbouring Main Range National Park, please ensure you have suitable equipment and the relevant topographic map. It is advised that you complete a bushwalking advice form and leave your plan with a responsible person.
Horseriding and cycling
Horseriding and cycling is permitted only on designated shared trails within Main Range Conservation Park and Main Range National Park as shown on the map .
Christies loop is a steep and rocky trail that starts near the old stock yards on East Haldon Road, 1km before the camping and day-use areas.
Blackfellows Creek trail leaves from the end of East Haldon Road and follows the creek up to Top Yards.
Riding is not permitted on the Mount Machar track.
- Be courteous of other park users and obey the give-way code: cyclists give-way to walkers and horseriders. Walkers give-way to horses.
- Always wear the right safety gear and heed safety information and other signs.
- Stay on designated tracks. Please don’t short cut.
- Avoid riding during and after rain on soft, wet and muddy tracks.
- Cross natural watercourses only at designated crossing points.
- Take steps to limit weeds and soil pathogens. Minimise damage to vegetation.
- Avoid riding in large groups. Keep groups to fewer than 8.
See horseride with care and cycle with care for more information on rider safety, codes of conduct and trail difficulty classifications.
Viewing wildlife
Common brushtail possums like to visit at night and tuck away during the day.
Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government
Bottlebrush trees along the creek and in the camping and day-use areas are favoured haunts for many species of honeyeaters. Sulphur-crested cockatoos and glossy black-cockatoos enjoy prising open casuarina ‘nuts’ to get at the seeds.
At the creek, herons probe around rocks for fish, frogs and crustaceans, while kingfishers sit patiently on overhanging branches waiting to dive on a tasty meal. You might spot southern purple spotted gudgeons and freshwater catfish in the water, and eastern water dragons sunning themselves on rocks. Frogs call from the creek or from moist hiding spots. Scarlet sided pobblebonks make a short “bonk” call and prefer the river flats. They lay eggs in a white foam nest on the water surface, as do striped marshfrogs (which make a “knock” call) and spotted grassfrogs (which have a variety of calls).
Watch for superb fairy-wrens, variegated fairy-wrens and red-backed fairy-wrens flitting among the tall grass and low shrubs, and for tiny thornbills (either striated, brown or buff-rumped) feeding in the canopy of eucalypt trees overhead. Wedgetailed eagles soar high in the sky over ridges and valleys, catching thermals as they search for their prey. Peregrine falcons, Australian hobbies, brown falcons and grey goshawks are more stealthy winged hunters who leave as suddenly as they arrive. It is a rare occurrence, but the red goshawk has also been recorded here.
Common brushtail possums are likely camp visitors at night and you might see the conical-shaped diggings of long-nosed bandicoots. Eucalypt trees throughout the park are the habitat of koalas, greater gliders and squirrel gliders—but these are not so readily seen. Shy and elusive brush-tailed rock-wallabies inhabit rocky outcrops at the edge of the escarpment.
- There are currently no park alerts for this park.