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
There is one summit route in Moogerah Peaks National Park: Mount Greville summit route. This summit route is not a walking track. 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.
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 route
Distance: Measured in time only
Time: Allow about 5hr 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. This route is 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—supervise children closely.
Roped sports—abseiling and rock climbing
Mount French has one of the most popular and well-known rock climbing locations in south-east Queensland, known locally as ‘Frog Buttress’. This a traditional climbing area which means there are no QPWS approved or inspected bolts. This is one of many roped sport locations in Queensland.
Rock climbing and abseiling opportunities are suitable for experienced and well-equipped climbers only.
Take care to avoid dislodging rocks as they might hit climbers below you—even small rocks can cause serious injury.
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.
Important safety tips
Before you visit ‘Frog Buttress’:
- Tell a responsible person where and when you will climb or abseil.
- Find a climbing or abseiling partner.
- Check the weather forecast—if it looks like it will rain do not attempt the climb. Rocks will become slippery and dangerous.
- Plan to abseil or rock climb in daylight hours only.
- Clean your equipment, footwear and clothing of any dirt or plant material from other sites.
When rock climbing or abseiling:
- Check the site for hazards and suitability for your experience and skill level.
- Never attempt to climb or abseil unless you are confident you can complete the activity.
- Never climb alone.
- Wear a helmet, harness and appropriate footwear and clothing.
- Use ropes and protective equipment designed for climbing and abseiling.
- Do not install your own anchor points—this is an offence.
- Carry emergency communication equipment and a first-aid kit.
- Minimise vegetation disturbance to protect the area from erosion and the introduction of pest plant species.
- Take care to avoid dislodging rocks as they might hit climbers below you—even small rocks can cause serious injury.
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.
- Partial closures due to planned burns 24 May to 1 September 2023