Main Range National Park Brisbane | Southern Queensland Country

After lunch, head off on one of the five walking tracks that leave from this picnic area. Photo credit: Joel Kotze © Queensland Government

Impressive mountain peaks, escarpments and ridges offer breathtaking views. Photo credit: © Janette Asche

Be inspired: A magical history tour of Queensland’s earliest national parks

South-East Queensland is the cradle of Queensland National Parks. So let’s take a tour of 4 of our earliest parks to learn the fascinating stories behind their creation and find out how to best enjoy them today. Photo credit: Nick Hill © Queensland Government

Be inspired: Camping at Main Range is perfect for kids who never stop!

We love them dearly, but high-energy kids are hard work. They’re courageous and inventive, making their own adventures wherever they go (anyone else got one that climbs everything?), and while we admire their creativity, there’s no denying that the task of managing their energy levels is enough to deplete our own. Photo credit: © J Asche

Be inspired: Favourite hikes for groups of ‘besties and buddies’ around Brisbane

When it comes to bushwalking with your ‘besties’ (friends or family), in Queensland National Parks near Brisbane, you’re truly spoilt for choice! Photo credit: © Queensland Government

Be inspired: Short walks for the family around south east Queensland

Walking in Queensland National Parks is a fun way to be healthier and happier, and to share special times with family and friends. Photo credit: Ellie Jamieson © Queensland Government

Pioneer picnic area

Enjoy a picnic in this shady picnic area before heading off to explore the nearby walking tracks.

Accessible by

  • Conventional vehicle

Attraction facilities

  • Toilets (non-flush)
  • Wood-fired barbecue (BYO wood)
  • Picnic tables
  • Wheelchair access (may require assistance)

Delight in the antics of the abundant birdlife as you enjoy morning tea or a BBQ picnic lunch. Black-faced monarchs, rufous fantails, cicadabirds, spectacled monarchs and glossy black-cockatoos are all seen here.

Refreshed and rejuvenated, head off on one of the two walks that start in the picnic area. Learn about the park’s pioneering history along the easy Pioneer Graves track, or load up a pack and spend a few hours exploring the rugged landscape on the Mount Mathieson trail.

Just a short drive way are the Moss’s Well and Governors Chair lookout tracks, and the Heritage trail.

This park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, famed for its ongoing geological processes, evolutionary history, and diversity (especially of rare, threatened and endemic species).

Getting there and getting around

The Pioneer picnic area is in the Spicers Gap section of Main Range National Park, about 120km south-west of Brisbane.

  • Pioneer picnic area is at the end of Spicers Gap Road, 3km from the park entrance.

Getting to the Spicers Gap section

Eastern approach

  • The eastern approach to Spicers Gap is suitable for conventional vehicles.
  • From Brisbane, drive about 95km south-west on the Cunningham Highway.
  • About 5km west of Aratula turn onto Lake Moogerah Road, drive 6km then turn onto Spicers Gap Road and a further 6km to the park entrance.

Western approach

  • The western approach towards Spicers Gap is suitable only for high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles and should be avoided in wet weather.
  • From Warwick drive 44.5km east on the Cunningham Highway or, from Cunninghams Gap drive 4.5km west on the Cunningham Highway.
  • Turn south onto Spicers Gap Road and drive about 4km to the park entrance.
  • Leave gates as you find them and stay on Spicers Gap Road at all times.

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland, see Queensland.com, and for friendly advice on how to get there, where to stay and what to do, find your closest accredited visitor information centre.

Wheelchair access

The toilets and picnic tables are wheelchair accessible.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Pioneer picnic area 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 Main Range safely.