Mount Barney hike is classified very hard because of the length, the roughness, the steepness and the nature of the terrain. You must be fit and have bushwalking experience. The area is remote and you must inform someone of your plans and your predicted return time. Check the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and hike Mount Barney only in good weather.
Mount Barney with the West Peak. Just visible behind the West Peak is the East Peak. Photo by Author.
Be prepared! Take with you at least 4 liters of water and take morning tea, lunch and snacks, a warm windbreaker and ankle supportive boots. Carry with you a fully charged smartphone and a fully recharged power bank with a cable.
It is an all-day long hike, start at 7:30 am at the latest. It is about a 14 km long hike, allow about 10 hours.
The Group Hiking South East Qld and More checking out the map and the information on the boards. Photo by Author.
Ascend Mount Barney via South East Ridge and descend via South Ridge, also called Peasant's Ridge. Descending via South East Ridge is not recommended, as it is a very steep and difficult descend.
Mount Barney has two peaks, Mount Barney East at 1,354 m and Mount Barney West at 1,359. Mount Barney is the highest peak in the Mount Barney National Park.
You start the walk at about 200 m above sea level and the elevation gain is about 1,226 m.
South East Ridge summit route is a very steep trail, requiring great fitness and rock scrambling skills. It is a strenuous hike, with exposed rock faces, there is also a razorback with cliffs. There is a section with a slab of rock and a rope may be required.
The track on Mount Barney has a few triangular trail markers and generally, the trail is visible. You can take a photo of each marker along the trail,
The hike starts from the Yellow Pinch carpark. There is a pathogen station that you must use to spray the sole of your boots prior to entering the National Park.
There is a lot of information on the signboards about the hikes in Mount Barney National Park and about the National Park.
Start the walk on the dirt road till you reach a gate. On your right, there is a short trail to the Yellow Pinch Lookout.
Go through the gate and follow the fire trail.
Start to walk uphill on the dirt road. Photo by Author.
Follow the sign. Photo by Author.
Keep walking on the dirt road till on your right you see another sign. Photo by Author.
On your right, you see a sign, turn right and you see a gate. Go through the gate and please remember to close the gate.
When you see this sign turn right. You come to a gate, please close the gate. Photo by Author.
Remember to close the gate. Photo by Author.
There is a creek crossing and then start to climb the well-defined trail.
Creek crossing on the trail. Photo by Author.
The climb soon becomes very steep on rugged terrain. Keep an eye out for the yellow triangular trail markers.
There are many flowers along the trail. In particular, Happy wanderer (Hardenbergia violacea) is a native plant.
Happy wanderer (Hardenbergia violacea). Photo by Author.
The trail is steep and rugged. Photo by Author.
Mount Ernest in Mount Barney National Park. Photo by Author.
There are a few directional markers located on South Ridge and South East Ridge summit routes. Take note of the marker's code, knowing your exact or approximate location will save valuable time in emergency situations. Photo by Author.
More beautiful flowers along the trail. Photo by Author.
Dawsonia is the tallest moss in the world. Photo by Author.
Fungi along the trail. Photo by Author.
This is a special spot with a great lookout when it is not cloudy. Photo by Author.
The top of Mount Ernest above the clouds. Photo by Author.
There is a section with a slab of rock that is generally wet. It may require a rope to climb up. Photo by Author.
A clear view of Mount Ernest and Mount Lindesay. Photo by Author.
Rugged cliff on Mount Barney. Photo by Author.
Sweeping views along the trail. Photo by Author.
On top of Mount Barney, East Peak. Photo by Author.
Views from the top of Mount Barney, East Peak. Photo by Author.
The Group Hiking South East Qld and More on top of the East Peak. Photo by courtesy of Terry Brown.
Views from Mount Barney, East Peak. Photo by Author.
Views from Mount Barney, East Peak. Photo by Author.
Flowers along the trail. Photo by Author.
Descending the South Ridge trail . Photo by Author.
It seems the South Ridge Trail is more in the shade since there are many sundews. Drosera, which is commonly known as the sundews, is one of the largest genera of carnivorous plants. Photo by Author.
Fungi along the trail. Photo by Author.
View of the West Peak from the saddle. Photo by Author.
The triangular marker on the South Ridge. Photo by Author.
The chimney on the South Ridge. Photo by Author.
A bit of rain makes a rainbow. Photo by Author.
Hiking gear: a hiking medium backpack, long trousers and shirt with long sleeve, light raincoat, very recommended hiking ankle supportive boots, first aid kit, insect repellent (it works for leeches; give preference to cream or roll-on that are more environmentally friendly than the spray), sunscreen, gloves, walking poles if you like to use them; socks protectors or gaiters.
Consider packing some extra clothes and leave them in the car. Pack some clean footwear and socks.
For this hike, consider carrying a map or download a good app on your smartphone that can help you to navigate in the bush.
Bring a medium day backpack with lots of water, especially if it's a hot day, 4.0 litres of water and snacks. During summer you can bring electrolytes to dissolve in water to compensate for the loss through perspiration.
You may consider packing sandwiches, fresh fruit, dry fruit, energy bars and small meals.
Walk with family, friends or in a group. Never alone!
The days prior to the hike, make sure to check:
Weather Website
www.bom.gov.au
Park Alertshttps://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/main-range
Road Conditionshttps://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au
Directions to Yellow Pinch
From Brisbane City, travel on the M1 and M3, then take the Yatala exit and travel to Beaudesert.
From Beaudesert travel onto the Mount Lindesay Hwy to Rathdowney. In Rathdowney turn right onto Boonah Rathdowney Rd. Turn left onto Upper Logan Rd and follow the road to the Yellow Pinch Carpark.
It takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes, a distance of 132 km.
More articles by the Author
Mount Ernest Trail Hike, Mount Barney National Park
www.weekendnotes.com/mount-ernest-trail-hike-mount-barney-national-park
Referencehttps://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/mount-barney/visiting-safely
www.aussiebushwalking.com/qld/se-qld/mt-barney-np/mt-barney-east-peak-up-and-down-south-ridge
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Barney_(Queensland)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawsonia_(plant)
www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/sundew/growing-sundew-plants.htm
