Glass House Mountains (Sunshine Coast)
Reading a thousand travel notes is not as good as experiencing it yourself.
It's really true, just like the Glass House Mountains we visited, which many Chinese also call "Gelasihao Mountain". They are the cores of volcanoes from 200,000 years ago. The surroundings have long been eroded and weathered, leaving only the hardened necks or peaks.
Reading other people's guides, I only knew it was beautiful, but before going there and not finding the right spot, I had no idea just how beautiful it could be.
So, a year later, after passing by countless times, when the pandemic first eased this year, we went there again.
The Glass House Mountains are located north of Brisbane, in the Sunshine Coast area. Every time we go to the Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Seventeen Seventy, Airlie Beach, the Great Barrier Reef... whenever we drive north from Brisbane, we pass this mountain range. Along the way, we can always see one of the 11 peaks in the distance.
This weekend, the temperature suddenly dropped from around twenty degrees to about ten degrees. Just like the day we went to Tamborine Mountain last time, when it suddenly dropped ten degrees, from thirty to eighteen. Although we brought fleece jackets this time, in this weather, what we really needed was a padded coat.
The sky was overcast, never clearing up all day, so the distant views were always gloomy. However, visibility was good, and we could see faraway scenery. Still, without blue sky, something was missing. He kept worrying it might rain, being the type who finds even a little drizzle very uncomfortable. Fortunately, there was no rain.
From our district Calamvale to the mountains, the navigation showed 97 kilometers. Our first stop was the Glass House Mountains Lookout, with the address entered into the GPS. We slept in (woke at 8:00), had breakfast, and set off, with plenty of time.
This lookout, when my sister visited last time, I accompanied her here once, stayed a little while, then turned around and went to Montville.
Online, some guides mentioned a loop trail near the lookout, said to be quite steep, worth a walk. Today we planned to do this small loop first.
We arrived at the destination without much talk. The temperature on the mountain was only 12 degrees Celsius, the wind was howling, and the wind chill made it feel much colder. We quickly put on our fleece jackets. Since it was a distant view and I had been there before, after a short stop, we saw a sign at the edge of the lookout indicating an 800-meter loop. Following the path forward, frankly, this trail had no scenery, was not dangerous, and was nothing special. Maybe it's because we've hiked many mountains around here in recent years, including some steep ones, so this didn't impress us. For everyone, this trail should be completely stress-free—800 meters, very short, we finished the loop before even warming up.
Back at the starting point, I took a quick look from the lookout platform and snapped some photos.
The barbecue grills and public facilities were open and usable again. Someone had set up a small tent nearby, and on the table in the stone house, someone had left a pile of things ready for barbecuing.
Near the lookout, a few tourists had spread blankets and brought boxes of food for a picnic on the grass. Most people were still wearing shorts. I often wonder if their legs and arms are not their own. Different eating habits and constitutions—people like us, who grew up drinking hot water and hot soup, wear long johns when it's cold and must drink hot water when entering a house—are worlds apart from them.
The wind was uncomfortable, so we retreated to the car. A short drive back, we saw a lookout café by the roadside. We went in and ordered a hot coffee. The café had a great location, facing the distant mountains. If not for the pandemic, the place would have been full of tourists having brunch. Now, every restaurant has limited seating.
We couldn't find other trailheads. After studying the local map for a while, we still couldn't figure out where to go to summit a mountain. I scrolled on my phone for a nearby small town we hadn't visited, and we followed the GPS onward.
After driving a few kilometers, we passed a tiny town. The surrounding area and parking lot were full of cars. He thought for a moment and said, "These cars are parked here, but we see no people and no open shops. That means these people must have gone somewhere, so this might be a trailhead." We marked this spot: Beerburrum.
We parked and got out. Nearby was a map and introduction for the hiking trails here. This area has trails 3, 4, and 5. The mountain here is Mount Beerburrum.
We chose the shortest trail: Trail 3, a 3.5 km round trip, estimated time about 1 hour 30 minutes.
It started with a long section of dusty dirt road.
At a fork, the path became better but the slope was quite steep—uphill all the way, hill after hill, bend after bend, until the summit.
Halfway, we met people hiking with their dog. The dog was too tired to continue, so the owner carried it for a while.
The slope was neither short nor long, but it made our legs ache.
Finally, we reached the summit, with an open view. In the distance, several extinct volcanoes were clearly visible even under the overcast sky. Australian mountains mostly appear blue from afar, probably because of the many eucalyptus trees.
The wind was strong here too. We had sweated from the climb, and the wind made us feel chilly. There were few people at the summit; apart from a few young adults we met when we first arrived, no one else came up during the half hour we stayed.
Descending was relatively easier—no need to expend energy, except for weak legs and some knee strain.
It's rare to see any yellow leaves in Queensland, so I took photos whenever I saw some.
After coming down, we navigated to Maleny town, which showed about 30 kilometers away.
We passed the Glass House Mountains Visitor and Interpretive Centre (Reed Street). For tourists who haven't made plans or want to ask locals for advice, pick up free maps, or local free magazines, this could be a first stop.
On Bald Knob Road, we came across a winery. First, we saw a windmill in the distance, then a beer barrel-shaped building. Behind the winery's garden, we could also see several extinct volcanic peaks in the distance. Opposite the winery was a café, but the winery was closed. If not for the pandemic, this place would be bustling with people.
Other cars also stopped briefly, circled the winery, and then left.
The GPS led us to Maleny. It didn't look special, and we were a bit disappointed.
Then we went to the M'Carthy's Lookout in this area.
Here, the mountains were closer than elsewhere today. There were yellow and purple flowers planted around, creating a stunning view.
We admired the houses facing the mountains and thought, living here, you don't need to move—just open the window every day to this view, and that's the ultimate beauty in the world. Such a life, even ten thousand gold pieces wouldn't make us want to trade it. As we walked along the road, every spot offered a beautiful view.
Checking the time, it was already past 3 PM. The way back was not the same path but forward along the road we came. So we decided not to backtrack; we continued forward, moving forward also means returning.
After driving a few kilometers, we saw a herd of cattle grazing on a hillside by the road. We reversed, parked on the side, and watched. Those cows were so calm—whether you come or not, they just eat their grass, neither excited nor disturbed. With the wind blowing, swaying pine branches, distant mountains, green grass, and the herd—this was the most beautiful scenery I've seen this year.
Cows, like people, have some that like solitude and some that prefer company; some are friendly to strangers, some keep their distance, some are calm and composed, some shy and low-headed, some hesitant, some running around... There are as many states as there are cows.
This woman and this cow spent the whole time filming and whispering to each other, like old friends reuniting, like a familiar person returning. This person has an aura of love for animals and nature, attracting all natural beauty.
We lost track of time, and as light began to fade—winter, sunset around 5 PM—we had other things to do in the evening and needed to head back.
Reluctantly, we got back in the car. Not far ahead, another open hillside had a herd of cows swishing their tails while grazing, with many egrets perched nearby. (Personally, I think this herd wasn't as handsome as the previous one.)
After watching the cows, we continued on to Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve (a national nature reserve). There was also a lookout there, with distant mountains and hiking trails behind.
Going around and around, we had traveled dozens of kilometers, but we were actually circling this mountain range. The town's residents also live around the mountains. Near and far, high and low, it looked like a painting—real and dreamlike. Because it was overcast, the sky wasn't blue, and there were no distinct clouds, which actually created a different kind of picture.
There was a café: Mountain View Café. Honestly, we wanted to find a window seat overlooking the distant mountains and have something to eat. The staff told us there were no seats available due to pandemic restrictions—the large café only had two tables occupied.
From here, the drive back was 120 kilometers, and we didn't stop again. The scenery along the way was also very nice.
Unexpectedly, after being gloomy all day, as we approached the city and our home on the way back, magnificent sunset glow accompanied us all the way home. I posted a video on my Moments, and a friend asked, "Is this a sign?" I said, "No, it's a fire cloud (sunset glow). People may have forgotten what it looks like."
This mountain range offers many places to explore and many hiking routes. You can view the mountains from afar or up close. There are also orchards, wineries, vineyards, and zoos. Many surrounding towns are very distinctive. There are also many unique B&Bs. For friends coming from far away, it's worth staying a few nights to slowly discover its beauty.
Attached below are photos of Montville (the town we usually call "Swiss town") and the Glass House Mountains from two years ago.
Montville is a town with a strong artistic atmosphere, with many galleries. The streets on both sides are very well maintained, with flowers and plants planted around houses.
There are also many music bars. Having a drink and listening to music is a great choice. Order a beer and go with the vibe!
There is a famous restaurant in the town with a distant view. I don't personally like their food, but the place is always crowded, and you need to queue if you haven't booked. I think it's because of the location. This year due to the pandemic, it's probably similar to other places.
(Reproduced: The rugged volcanic peaks of the Glass House Mountains are listed as nationally significant landscapes on the Queensland and National Heritage Register, due to their deep cultural significance to the traditional Aboriginal owners, the Gubbi Gubbi people. Historically, the area was a special meeting place where indigenous people gathered for ceremonies and trade, and many ceremonial sites remain. Take the 2.8 km (1.7 mi) Mount Ngungun Summit walking trail through open forests, fern groves, and rocky cliffs to the summit. The Gubbi Gubbi people don't openly say why this area is especially important to them, but when you look at the spectacular 360-degree panorama of the land and think carefully, you'll find the area has a spiritual feeling. Only two peaks are open to the public for bushwalking and hiking: Mount Tibrogargan and Mount Ngungun. Both offer trails ranging from easy to very challenging, taking you through open forests to viewpoints with panoramic views. Before you start your journey, be sure to visit the Glass House Mountains Visitor and Interpretive Centre to learn about local history and attractions, pick up local maps, and use free Wi-Fi. The centre also sells local products such as jams and honey. Beerwah is the largest town in the area, located near Mount Beerwah, the highest peak of the Glass House Mountains. Beerwah has scenic walking trails, including the 30-minute Tibrogargan circuit and the easy Glass House Mountains Lookout Circuit, offering expansive views of Brisbane and Moreton Island. Disclaimer: The text in parentheses is reproduced.)
