Main Range National Park Brisbane | Southern Queensland Country

Take in inspiring views of Laidley Valley and the the Little Liverpool Range from the lookout. Photo credit: Maxime Coquard © Queensland Government

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

Mount Castle lookout track

This short walk has superb views over Laidley Valley, Little Liverpool Range, Mount Castle, Brisbane and beyond.

Journey type
Walk
Distance
960m return Start and finish points are the same and the traveller must return via the same path
Time suggested
Allow 30min walking time.
Grade
Grade 3 walking track

Accessible by

  • Conventional vehicle

Journey facilities

  • Lookout (constructed)
  • Walking

Immerse yourself in lush rainforest scattered with towering hoop pines on the way to the lookout. Trees in this area, including red cedar, hoop pine and New England blackbutt, were harvested from the 1840s until 1985. The timber was used for buildings and furniture in Brisbane, Ipswich and nearby towns and villages.

A sign at the lookout labels the features of the sweeping view. Take in the peaks of the Little Liverpool Range, including Mount Castle directly in front of the lookout. Follow the line of the Laidley Valley and the craggy outline of the D’Aguilar Range and Mount Coot-tha. If it’s a fine day, you’ll also have good views of Brisbane.

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 Mount Castle lookout track is in the Goomburra section of Main Range National Park, about 175km south-west of Brisbane.

  • Turn left at the park entrance and follow Lookout Road for 6.5km to the track.

Getting to the Goomburra section

  • The Goomburra section can be reached from both the New England and Cunningham highways.
  • From the New England Highway turn off the highway 3km south of Allora onto Inverramsay Road, follow Inverramsay Road, then Forestry Reserve Road east for about 35km to the park entrance.
  • From the Cunningham Highway turn off at Gladfield, 25km west of Cunninghams Gap or 13km east of the Cunningham and New England highway junction, and travel 8km to join Inverramsay Road, then follow Inverramsay Road, and Forestry Reserve Road to the park entrance.

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

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Mount Castle lookout track 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 and Walk with care.