Pioneer Graves track
Step back in time and pay homage to the early pioneers and their families who are buried at this cemetery.
- Journey type
- Walk
- Distance
- 260m return Start and finish points are the same and the traveller must return via the same path
- Time suggested
- Allow 15min walking time.
- Grade
- Grade 2 walking track
Accessible by
- 4WD
Journey facilities
- Walking
A short walk from the Pioneer picnic area will take you on a journey of discovery into early pioneer history steeped in mystery and tragedy.
Although the graves have long since disappeared, a large stone monument gives you a sense of what life must have been like for the early pioneers. Up to 13 people could be buried here—five are unaccounted for, three have scant records and the remaining few have some controversy associated with their deaths.
One of the graves is said to be that of Mrs Collins—a bullock driver's wife who was thrown from their loaded wool dray while descending the steep 'pinch' or narrow section. According to local lore, the tiny grave beside Mrs Collins belongs to her infant child who was also killed in the accident.
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 Graves track is in the Spicers Gap section of Main Range National Park, about 120km south-west of Brisbane.
- The track track starts at Pioneer picnic area.
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.
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
Pioneer Graves 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.
- Main Range National Park - Cunninghams Gap section walking track closures 7 February to 5 May 2024
- Roadworks at Cunninghams Gap - Mount Mitchell track temporarily realigned 10 November 2023 to 31 July 2024
- Box Forest track - Fallen trees across track 27–28 April 2024