Things to do
Frog Buttress is one of two camping areas in Mount French section of Moogerah Peaks National Park.
Photo credit: R. Ashdown © Queensland Government
Enjoy a leisurely stroll along one of the walking tracks at Mount French section.
Photo credit: R. Ashdown © Queensland Government
Camping and accommodation
Camping
There is limited camping available within Moogerah Peaks National Park. Mount French section provides both tent and vehicle-base camping. Access is suitable for conventional vehicle and camper vans only—caravans and camper trailers are unsuitable. Camping permits are required and fees apply. As the camping area is small, advance bookings are necessary.
- Find out more about camping at Mount French section.
- Book your camp site online or learn about our camping booking options.
- If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.
Read Before you visit for information about essentials to bring with you when camping in Moogerah Peaks National Park.
Other accommodation
There are several privately-run camping reserves, lodges and bed and breakfasts located within a short distance of Moogerah Peaks National Park. Hotel, motel and caravan park accommodation is available at Boonah, Aratula and a council caravan park at Lake Moogerah. For more information see the tourism information links.
Walking
There are two short walking tracks in Mount French section, both of an easy grade. The other sections of the park have more difficult graded trails or summit routes of varying difficulty, and are best suited to experienced bushwalkers only. Less experienced walkers should walk with an experienced person or walk with an organised bushwalking group.
Leave a copy of your bushwalking plans with a reliable person. For your safety, be aware of weather conditions and that mobile phone reception is intermittent in the park.
To make the most of your park visit, please read visiting safely.
Allow 15 to 20min to walk 1km. This time is calculated for people of average fitness and bushwalking experience and who are wearing correct footwear. If you are walking with small children or a less experienced bushwalker, allow more time to return to your starting point.
Distances given are from the track entrance and return.
Walking tracks at a glance
Matching experience and expectations—to make your planning easier, simply match your expectations and experience with the most suitable track or trail.
| Track name | Classification | Distance return | Walking time |
|---|---|---|---|
| North cliff track | 720m | 15min return | |
| Mee-bor-rum circuit | Grade 3 | 840m | 25min return |
| Mount Edwards summit trail | Grade 5 | 6km | 3.5hr return |
Mount French section
This section encompasses the North peak—Mee-bor-rum (468m) and South peak—Punchagin (598m) of Mount French. Access to the south peak (Punchagin) is restricted by private property. On the north peak (Mee-bor-rum) two short tracks make it easy for you to explore the park's many features and neither requires previous bushwalking experience.
North Cliff track
Distance: 720m
Time: Allow about 15min walking time
Details: This track leads to Logans lookout with excellent, panoramic views over the Fassifern Valley, with the Main Range escarpment to the west and Flinders Peak and beyond to the east.
Don’t throw rocks, stones or other items over the lookout—climbers could be below. Even small rocks or items can cause serious injury.
Mee-bor-rum circuit
Distance: 840m
Time: Allow about 25min walking time
Details: This circuit track passes through heathland and features the East Cliff lookout with views of Tamborine, Lamington and Mount Barney. Care must be taken at the lookout as it is a natural feature and has no handrails. Further along the track a circular platform with seating provides views of the heathland and the southern section of Mount French.
Wheelchair access with assistance on this track is only possible to the East Cliff lookout. Beyond here the track through the heathland is rough and uneven.
Mount Edwards section
The steep, forested slopes of Mount Edwards (634m) and adjacent Little Mount Edwards (363m) are separated by Reynolds Creek, which flows between the two mountains in a gorge of rocky slabs.
Mount Edwards summit trail
Distance: 6km
Time: Allow about 3.5hr walking time
Details: There are no trail markers or facilities so you must be self-reliant. Mount Edwards is accessible from the Lake Moogerah picnic area at the end of Moogerah Connection Road. From the picnic area walk across the dam wall to the park entrance. Be rewarded with extensive views to the north over the Fassifern Valley after a steep walk—climbing some 500m in elevation from the dam wall. Be aware the track is very rough, very steep and unmarked. The summit trail is suitable for bushwalkers with a reasonable level of fitness.
Hours of access to the park are between 6am to 6pm. The dam wall access gate is locked outside these hours.
Summit routes
Mount Greville summit has three routes to choose from—Waterfall Gorge, Palm Gully and Southeast route. These summit routes are not walking tracks. Please read the safety information below before planning your route. The distance is not provided. Plan to reach the peak and return before dark. Use the estimated time allocated for the summit route to plan your day.
The summit routes are unmarked and undefined and require GPS or topographic maps to navigate.
Be aware
- People accessing the summit routes must be well-prepared and have a reasonable level of fitness and bush navigation skills.
- The summit routes have exposed, steep rocky sections. There are narrow ridges and vertical cliff edges.
- Serious injuries have occurred on summit routes—death could occur.
- Rock falls could occur at any time. If you access the summit routes you need to be aware of the risks.
- Summit routes are not walking tracks and are unsuitable for young children and inexperienced people.
- If you feel unsure about your ability to climb and keep up with the rest of your group, or not comfortable with the route selected, then don’t attempt it.
Know the hazards!
- Falling and rolling rocks.
- Loose rock debris.
- Steep, rocky sections.
- Very slippery rocks in wet conditions.
- Heat exhaustion and dehydration.
- Inexperience, poor preparation and inappropriate gear.
Mount Greville section
This small, rugged section of the park takes in the peak and slopes of Mount Greville (767m), which rises sharply above the surrounding hilly country. With its rocky faces and forested ridges, this mountain creates an attractive landmark. Two deep, narrow, steep-sided gorges, known as Palm Gorge and Waterfall Gorge, cut into its south-eastern side. Mount Greville section is surrounded by private property except for the car park and entry route into the park.
Mount Greville summit routes
Waterfall Gorge, Palm Gully and Southeast route
Distance: Measured in time only
Time: Allow about 5–6hr return
Details: There are no facilities or formed routes so you must be self-reliant.
Mount Greville's scree-clad gorges with palm-dominated rainforest provide access to the summit from the south-east. These routes are suitable only for experienced people.
Warning! There are sheer cliffs and slippery rocks particularly after rain. One slip could be fatal—serious injury or death may result from walking near the cliff edge. Keep to the route.
Roped sports—abseiling and rock climbing
Rock climbing and abseiling opportunities are only suitable for experienced and well-equipped climbers—and those under their direct supervision.
Moogerah Peaks National Park does not have any QPWS approved anchor points or bolts. The use of such fixtures is not recommended and at your own risk.
Mount French has one of the most popular and well-known traditional rock climbing locations in south-east Queensland, known locally as ‘Frog Buttress’. This is one of many roped sport locations in Queensland.
Prepare for these activities in a safe area and ensure that people who are not abseiling or rock climbing stay well back from the cliff edges.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service supports sustainable climbing as an activity in a number of Queensland’s protected areas.
Installing, replacing or modifying bolts, anchor points or other fixed protection is prohibited in parks and forests without written authority from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
For abseiling and rock climbing safety:
- Use ropes and protective equipment designed for climbing and abseiling.
- The use of existing bolts, anchor points or other fixed protection is at your own risk.
- Your anchor load must not exceed the weight of one person and their equipment.
- Assess the site for hazards and suitability for your experience and skill level, and those in your group.
- Never attempt to climb or abseil unless you are confident you can complete the activity.
- Check weather conditions.
- Never attempt climbs in wet weather as smooth surfaces can be slippery and dangerous. The likelihood of rockfalls and landslides are heightened by rainfall and intense fire activity. Flexible soled shoes with good grip should be worn.
- Never climb alone—find a climbing or abseiling partner.
- Take care to avoid dislodging rocks as they might hit climbers below—even small rocks can cause serious injury.
- Plan to abseil or rock climb in daylight hours only.
- Carry emergency communication equipment and a first-aid kit.
- Let a reliable person know your plans
,and what to do if you do not return as expected. Remember to let them know if your plans change. - Minimise vegetation disturbance to protect the area from erosion and the introduction of pest plant species.
Climbing in protected areas:
- Make sure you adopt leave-no-trace principles and minimise your impact.
- Do not install, replace, or modify bolts, anchor points or other fixed protection without written authority from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
- As much as possible, do not interfere with the natural resources, such as lichens and plants—remember the cliff is an ecosystem too.
- Be aware of nature’s calendar and don’t disturb birds nesting on crags.
- Stay on formed tracks to minimise vegetation disturbance and prevent erosion.
- Carry out all litter and waste.
For more information on roped sports in this region visit Australian Climbing Association (QLD).
Picnic and day-use areas
Mount French is the only section of Moogerah Peaks National Park with a picnic area. Picnic tables, gas barbecues and toilets, with wheelchair access, are provided. Visitors are asked to treat all tap water before drinking and to take their rubbish home for appropriate disposal.
Visitors must be self-sufficient when walking in all other sections of Moogerah Peaks National Park.
Lake Moogerah, managed by Seqwater, caters for water-based recreational activities and has picnic facilities with toilets. For details on activities, see Seqwater.
Viewing wildlife
Moogerah Peaks National Park provides the only significant refuge for some of the area's threatened and vulnerable wildlife. Inappropriate fire, clearing, logging and farming has meant that some habitats only survive on the peaks, gorges, cliff lines and rocky ridges of the national park. The last remnant stand of the once widespread 'Fassifern scrub' dry rainforest, dominated by brigalow Acacia harpophylla, is now confined to Mount French.
There are six significant flora species within the park, some vulnerable to extinction, such as the vulnerable slender milkvine Marsdenia coronata and two species of lichen.
See the description of the park's natural environment for more details about Moogerah Peaks' diverse wildlife.
- Upcoming planned burns 22 February to 2 September 2024