Main Range National Park Brisbane | Southern Queensland Country

Soak up some early pioneer history at the cemetery at the end of the track. Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw

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

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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

  • Conventional vehicle

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.

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

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.