Mt Tibberoowuccum in the Glass House Mountains

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Posted 2015-11-23 by Roy Chambers ⇒ follow

Any visitor to the Glass House Mountains north of Brisbane is tempted to climb at least one of the peaks. Some are closed and others are extremely challenging. One really great little hill with fantastic views is Mt Tibberoowuccum (try saying that 3 times fast).

This peak has has an elevation of 220 metres above sea level and 200 metres from the start of the hike. The hike has a few challenges, but is not overly difficult. The most difficult section is the little rocky outcrop at the end which takes almost no skill to climb up, and is really an optional extra, as there are great views without going up the last section.

Even better, because there is not a marked track, and the start of the track is not easy to find, you will encounter few people on this walk.

The place to park is the Trachyte Walking Cricuit Carpark on Marshs Road. There are actually two car parks here, so make sure you park in the correct car park. The other one is on Barrs Road (Marshs Road merges into Barrs Road at the bend between the two car parks). From here walk along Marshs Road away from Mt Tibrogargan in a westerly direction for 100 metres. You will see a rough dirt fire tail to your left.

If you have a suitable off road vehicle you could drive down this road, but there is nowhere to park. It is better to just walk down the trail for 300 or 400 metres. The start of the actual hiking trail has no sign, but hikers have kindly laid out several stone cairns to mark the start of the track up. Several people I know who have tried to find the start of the track have completely missed it.

Once you find the track it is very easy to follow. Going up the hill there is only one trail with no side trails. At the top the hill it leads off to the left and this takes you to the top of Mt Tibberoowuccum. The final part of the hike is a scramble and climb up to a rocky dome. If you are not comfortable with this, the hike to near the top still provides great views of the surrounding Glass House Mountains.

Scrambling up the final rocky dome at the top of Tibberoowuccum is actually pretty easy. The trick is to head straight up. There is one section that can look difficult but when you look closely you will see there are many hand and foot holds, making this one the easiest scrambles I have ever done. Though there is also another even easier path to the left as well. The photo makes it look hard, but let me assure you, if I found it easy, then most people will also have no trouble.

The top provides amazing 360 degrees views of the Glass House Mountains. This is a great place just to relax and hang out. In the cooler months this is a great place to come and eat your lunch.

When heading down, you can either retrace the path that you took up or alternatively, at the ridge at the top, look for the other path down on your left. This alternative route is a little more rocky but is as easy as the main path up the hill. It will come out a few hundred metres up the fire trail.

In terms of hikes up hills, this is a quick and easy hike. The track is fairly steep and even the fittest person will be puffing. But it is only 200 metres up and so even a reasonably fit person will have no problem completing this walk. If you don't linger at the top, you can be finished in a little over an hour. Afterwards consider other hills and tracks. The obvious one is the Trachyte circuit that goes around the base of Mt Tibrogargan from where I recommended you park your car.

What makes the Glass House Mountains particularly lovely is the many coffee shops in the area. Vecchio's Cafe at 528 Steve Irwin Way is perhaps my favourite option on the way home. The coffee is good, the food options are great and you can do your weekly fruit and vegetable shopping at the same time.