Mount Mathieson trail
Immerse yourself in early pioneer history and experience the rugged landscape of Main Range on this physically challenging walk.
- Journey type
- Walk
- Distance
- 8.1km return Start and finish points are the same and the traveller must return via the same path
- Time suggested
- Allow 3hrs walking time.
- Grade
- Grade 4 walking track
Accessible by
- Conventional vehicle
Journey facilities
- Lookout (natural)
- Walking
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Immerse yourself in the rugged landscape of the Main Range. Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw
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Take in views of Mount Mitchell and Mount Cordeaux. Photo credit: Cameron Semple © High and Wide
Take in the views of Cunninghams Gap from the natural lookouts along this rough trail through lofty eucalypts and lush rainforest.
From the Pioneer picnic area the first part of the trail, to Mount Mathieson, is a gentle grade. From there the trail is more rugged and you’ll need to tackle quite steep, rocky and narrow sections.
As you walk through the rainforest keep an eye out for the timber jinker (wagon), a relic from the early timber-cutting years.
Learn about the early pioneering years from informative signs along the 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 Mount Mathieson trail is in the Spicers Gap section of Main Range National Park about 120km south-west of Brisbane.
- The trail has two trail heads at the:
- Pioneer picnic area
- western end of Spicers Gap Road, 2.7km from the park entrance (4WD only). Close all gates after passing through.
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
There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities.
Before you visit
Opening hours
Mount Mathieson trail 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.
- Main Range National Park - Gap Creek Falls track closed due to maintenance 6 March to 31 May 2023
- Main Range National Park- Goomburra section. Lookout Road closure due to road repairs 27 February to 6 April 2023
- Main Range National Park - road damage Goomburra and Spicers Gap sections 30 March to 30 June 2023
- Main Range National Park - restricted access to Head Road and southern remote bush camps 16 January to 16 June 2023