Main Range National Park

Main Range National Park, a World Heritage-listed jewel in the Scenic Rim, offers some of Queensland’s most dramatic mountain scenery. Lace up your hiking boots to explore ancient Gondwana rainforests, mossy cloud forests and panoramic lookouts that sweep across the border to New South Wales. This is a place for adventurers who don’t mind a bit of rain – the mist that often clings to the peaks adds an ethereal beauty.

Highlights & What to See

• Mount Superbus – Queensland’s highest peak (1375 m), a challenging day hike with rewarding 360-degree views.
• Goomburra Section – lush rainforest walks, swimming holes, and the iconic Dalrymple Creek circuit.
• Cunningham’s Gap – the classic gateway with the Palm Grove Circuit, a short walk through towering palm forests and strangler figs.
• Mount Cordeaux & Bare Rock – a steep but awe-inspiring track leading to sheer cliffs and views over the Fassifern Valley.
• Queen Mary Falls – a spectacular 40-metre waterfall plunging into a deep gorge, accessible via a short walking track.
• Spicer’s Gap – historic dingo fence and remnant rainforest with birdlife including the elusive Albert’s lyrebird.

Suggested Time to Spend

Devote at least two full days to do justice to the park. Day one: tackle a major summit like Mount Superbus (allow 6–8 hours). Day two: explore the lower-altitude walks around Goomburra or Cunningham’s Gap, plus a waterfall stop. If you have a third day, consider a scenic drive along the Great Dividing Range to connect with Lamington National Park. The park is best visited in the cooler months (April–October) to avoid summer heat and leeches.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Lamington National Park – just south, with its famous tree-top walk and O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.
• Tamborine Mountain – a charming plateau with boutique wineries, galleries and the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk.
• Killarney – a historic town with the beautiful Queen Mary Falls (already mentioned) and the Head of the River.
• Boonah – a country town with antique shops and access to the Scenic Rim’s food trail.
• Springbrook National Park – another World Heritage rainforest with glow-worm caves and the Natural Bridge.

Please check official sources for current details.