Falling in Love with Mount Cordeaux | Main Range National Park – QLD

“We are now in the mountains and they are in us, kindling enthusiasm,
making every nerve quiver, filling every pore and cell of us.”
– John Muir, My First Summer in the Sierra

I have a PhD in indecisiveness, so when Neil kindly invited me to contribute to his blog I took an inordinate amount of time to make up my mind about what to offer him. Even as I write this, I’m still torn between a few options. Should I write about a short easy walk that has one of the most spectacular mountain views I’ve seen or a hard core slog through hot, dry, tick-infested bushland that tested my sanity?

Every walk I’ve done is special to me in some way, whether due to the diverse landscape, the interesting history, the wildlife, the glorious views, the company, or the sheer physical challenge. I can honestly say I haven’t regretted any of them. They are certainly preferable to being stuck in a traffic jam or facing the mind-numbing glare of a computer screen in a crowded noisy office.

In the end, I decided on the 6.8 km, 2.5 hr, Mount Cordeaux walk which I am sure would be enjoyed by beginners, families, and hard-core hikers. Although I prefer seeking new trails, I would do this one again and again just for the spectacular view and the chance to see and hear rainforest wildlife. It’s a walk I’ve fallen in love with.

The track to the summit of Mount Cordeaux begins at the top car park of Cunningham’s Gap, 116 km south-west of Brisbane and 50 km east of Warwick in Queensland. It’s part of Main Range National Park, which is included in the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area.

Having a relative with limited mobility who loves the outdoors, I’m always conscious of track accessibility. Although Cordeaux is classified as a grade 4 walk, there is really only a small section close to the very top which has steep rocky steps and with enough support, less able-bodied people could be assisted past this. Most of the path is a gradual incline, which zig-zags slowly through rainforest for 3.4 km to a natural rocky platform at the top. If the last short section can’t be walked, there are still some beautiful views to be had along the way and the cool mossy forest can be enjoyed on its own.

While walking through the rainforest section of the track, you’ll hear lyrebirds and whipbirds and may spot paddymelons or even a carpet python, especially if you go early before the crowds arrive. In the wetter months, fungi and moss are abundant and small streams may be flowing down the mountain.

Once you’ve reached the rocky summit you’ll see entirely different flora. Grass trees and giant spear orchids grow from the rocky outcrop. There are no barriers at the summit, so young children need to be closely supervised as there are sheer cliff edges.

The Mount Cordeaux walk can also be extended by walking to the Bare Rock / Mount Morgan section, a total of 12.4 km return. Those with high fitness levels can choose to cross the highway from the car park on the same day and do the 10 km Mount Mitchell summit walk which offers another fantastic view of the Fassifern Valley. Another option is the 9.8km Gap Creek Falls walk which descends from the Cordeaux path and takes about 6 hours.

The view from the east peak of Mt Mitchell.

All of the following walks can be accessed from the car park at the top of Cunningham’s Gap so it’s certainly worth setting aside a whole day or making a few visits. Nearby Spicer’s Gap, Queen Mary Falls and Goomburra have many trails and camping facilities and also offer wild bush camping.

• Box Forest – Class 3 – 5 km – 2hr
• Rainforest Circuit – Class 3 – 1.6km – 25min
• Mount Cordeaux – Class 4 – 6.8km – 2.5 hrs
• Mount Mitchell – Class 4 – 10.2km – 3 hrs
• Gap Creek Falls – Class 4 – 9.8km – 6 hrs
• Palm Grove Circuit – Class 4 – 4.4km – 2hrs
• Bare Rock / Mount Morgan – Class 4 – 12.4km – 3.5 hrs

See the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service’s Main Range National Park brochure for more detailed information on these walks.

So if you are in this region of Queensland, Mt Cordeaux is definitely worth a visit. There is something really special about a mountain-top view which can be incredibly uplifting. David Stratton’s inspiring video, Wild Places, shows his sheer delight when assisted on a mountain trip after being confined with MS to a wheelchair. I also share his joy in wild places, particularly mountains, which is why I wanted to share Mt Cordeaux with you.

Have you visited Mount Cordeaux? If you have any stories, updates or corrections, please let us know by commenting below.