Glass House Mountains

The Glass House Mountains are a cluster of distinctive volcanic plugs and hills in southeast Queensland, Australia, protected within national parks and notable for their steep, isolated profiles and cultural significance.

The landscape comprises around a dozen major peaks and numerous smaller outcrops; the most visited summits include Mount Beerwah and Mount Tibrogargan, which have marked tracks and viewpoints. Short walks, lookouts and rock-climbing routes are the main visitor activities rather than long alpine expeditions.

The peaks formed from volcanic activity during the early Cainozoic era, roughly 25 million years ago, when magma solidified in volcanic vents and later became exposed by erosion of surrounding softer rocks.

They lie roughly 70 kilometres north of Brisbane on the Sunshine Coast hinterland and are a prominent feature visible from surrounding coastal plains and the Bruce Highway.

• Proximity to Brisbane: The peaks are roughly 70 kilometres north of Brisbane and are visible from the Bruce Highway; visitor facilities and walking tracks are concentrated at the national park entrances.
• Geological origin: Formed by volcanic activity around 25 million years ago, the plugs are composed of dense igneous rock and form isolated steep-sided hills across the coastal plain.

What to See #

• Individual peaks: A group of prominent volcanic plugs and steep hills that rise sharply from the coastal plain, offering short hikes and rock-climbing routes on some peaks.
• Key peaks: Mount Beerwah, the tallest peak in the group, and Mount Tibrogargan are the most visited peaks with established walking tracks and lookouts.