Best trails in Mount Barney National Park

4.4(7,086 reviews)

Australia
:
#17 of 637 national parks

Mount Barney National Park is located in the South East corner of Queensland, 120km south-west of Brisbane via the Mount Lindesay Highway. It's landscape consists of ancient volcanoes (including Mount Barney) that are now mountains covered in protected Gondwana rainforests.

Top trails

#1 - Mount Maroon
4.7(1798)
•Hard
•2.8 mi
This is an incredible hike, not to be underestimated! The track leads into some moderate scrambling/rock climbing near the top, so you will work for the amazing views that stretch far over southeast Queensland. The rocky outcrop summit of Mount Maroon is a popular attraction for walkers, especially on weekends, so if you want to have a bit more solitude on the trail it is best to start early. There is almost no shade throughout, so make sure to bring a hat and sunscreen! Part of the trail...
#2 - Lower Portals Track
4.6(856)
•Moderate
•4.6 mi
•Est. 2–2.5 hr
This is a straightforward hike along the Lower Portals trail to some amazing waterholes on Mount Barney Creek. The route visits Five Peaks Viewpoint, Mount Barney Creek waterhole and can extend to Barney Gorge Junction Campsite. The track is well-marked and easy to follow but does have some steep sections with many tree roots and rocky areas. The good news is it is only 3.5km to reach the impeccable swimming holes along Mount Barney Creek. Nestled in tight rock canyons and with impressive...
#3 - Mount Barney South East Ridge and Peasants Ridge
4.7(824)
•Hard
•7.9 mi
This walk ascends the Southeast Ridge to the summit, comes down to the Rum Jungle, and descends the Southern Ridge (Peasants Ridge). Quite possibly the most challenging summit in all of Queensland, this route requires rock scrambling and climbing along the ridge route and is not to be taken lightly. From the carpark and yellow pinch gate, the track ascends through the dense bush until breaking higher onto faint trails on exposed cliff edges. Stunning views exist almost up the mountain, and...
#4 - Mount Maroon and Caves Loop
4.5(444)
•Hard
•3.5 mi
This is for the adventurous wanting a bit of an off-trail challenge but worth it for the extra perspective you get of the mountain and the caves. If you're after a shorter route that avoids the off-trail sections, you can take the route that uses the main trail to Mount Maroon, starting at the same trailhead. The track starts on the main trail before heading into the bush and requires bush bashing and scrambling. This trail makes you work for the views. The cave is very early on the route...
#5 - Mount Maroon Caves
4.4(350)
•Hard
•1.8 mi
This is for the adventurous who want a bit of an off-trail challenge but is worth it for the different perspective you get of the mountain and the views from the caves. The loop starts on the main trail before heading off into the bush and requires bush bashing and scrambling along the way. This trail makes you work for the views. If you want a shorter route that avoids the off-trail sections, you can take the route that uses the main trail to Mount Maroon, which starts at the same...
#6 - Rum Jungle Camp Via Peasants Ridge
4.6(188)
•Hard
•8.8 mi
A challenging trail through the Mount Barney National Park in south east Queensland, located close to the New South Wales state border - not too far from the town of Rathdowney. This out and back route begins and ends from the parking area at the end of Upper Logan Road. The trail is picturesque the whole way but is a constant ascent, gaining over 1000m of elevation over the 7 kilometre journey to the Rum Jungle Campsite. The start of this trail also features river crossing so come prepared.
#7 - Cronan Creek Falls
4.6(310)
•Moderate
•7.9 mi
•Est. 4–4.5 hr
This is a beautiful walk which visits some lovely waterfalls near Mount Barney, Queensland. There are a couple of river crossings along the way to add some fun to your adventure! The trail itself is moderate with some steep sections but nothing too crazy. The track is wide so it is suitable for group walks. In the summertime, it can get particularly hot in the area so take lots of water.
#8 - Rum Jungle Campsite via Yellowpinch and South East Ridge
4.6(192)
•Hard
•6.9 mi
This path leads you along Yellow Pinch Trail and South East Ridge Trail all the way to Rum Jungle Campsite. The entire hike features a steady incline, passing by Mount Barney East Peak, where you'll need to do some scrambling in some rocky sections to the campsite. Once you make it to the top, you're rewarded with epic panoramic views of Mount Barney National Park, making the effort well worth it. The rugged terrain and sweeping vistas provide a thrilling adventure for hikers seeking a...
#9 - Mount May via Waterfall Creek Loop
4.5(344)
•Hard
•4.1 mi
This is an excellent walk that takes you from the Waterfall Creek Reserve up to the summit of Mount May at an altitude of 836m. Be aware some parts need scrambling or climbing on the rocks to reach the summit of Mount May, but overall the trail is fun and manageable. This trail starts with a 2km climb up o Mount May that then rewards you with a relatively relaxed descent looping back to the beginning.
#10 - Lower Portals to Barney Gorge Junction Camp
4.6(165)
•Hard
•7.0 mi
•Est. 4–4.5 hr
This is an adventurous hike through the Mount Barney National Park, located in south east Queensland, not too far from the town of Rathdowney. This out and back route begins from the parking and picnic area at the end of Lower Portals Road. This beautiful track leads you down to lower portals where you can enjoy a swim. From lower portals to the campsite is hard to navigate and features a steep decent into camp. There is spectacular scenery along the way, and quite deep water crossing at...

Showing results 1–10 of 43

Explore more trails

Trail reviews for Mount Barney National Park

7,988 trailgoers Busiest in July

Damon Hawkins

Sep 4, 2025•Hiking

Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableGreat views

This is not a track. This route is a true contention with the rugged and terrifyingly beautiful nature of Mount Barney East’s SE ridge, in its natural state. If the conditions are hot or wet, then - as the signage puts it - forget it! This is by no means a safe walk. Be prepared to scramble boulders with no holds, scale vertical climbs with high consequences for slipping and traverse thin ridges that will have you questioning your sanity. Be aware that once you pass the 1000m elevation mark, turning back is the more dangerous option. If this sounds hyperbolic, it’s because far too many people don’t go in prepared for this walk. Bring 4L of water, navigation equipment, first aid, good walking boots and a PLB. That said, this is one of Queensland’s truly great summit walks.

Conditions: Poisonous plants, Wildflowers, Dry ground

Mount Barney South East Ridge and Peasants Ridge

Kimberly Oberlin

Jun 23, 2025

Not crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

Not much info on here so I thought I’d share my experience for those of you who are genuinely curious on what is deemed “Barney’s angry little brother”.. Start at yellow pinch. Hike the gaslighting fire trail for a couple of kilometres. Then take a left through the campsite where you may or may not find some riskè lingerie hanging from the trees. Go anti-clockwise. A small river crossing is next that can be tackled by any river goblin with ease. Followed by an uphill mission to the plateau. I would not call it a bushbash, more like a frolic through a sclerophyll forest like an accent fae. At the top, you get your first glimpse of the Barney beast. Go along the ridge for a km or so and you think “wow, all this hype for nothing” and “I thought this would be steeper!” Then you hit the boulders. First you think “oh this isn’t too hard! It’s just like Maroon!” Then there’s a wall. Not the metaphorical wall (that comes later) . An actual vertical wall. And you may ask yourself, "Well, how did I get here?" And you may ask yourself, "How do I work this?" And you may tell yourself, "This is not my beautiful house" And you may tell yourself, "This is not my beautiful wife" You look back at the few other souls on this unforgiving mountain, your friends. Which are only mildly bleeding at this point. They nod. You nod. You all shimmy vertically 600 meters or so, grabbing onto grass trees and tree roots and the hands of angels til you finally make it to the “top”. Once you reach the “summit“, there is a bush bash through loads of fur trees that are scratchy and disorientating. You need to download the map. You will get lost and walk right off the cliff. But if you suffer enough through that, you get to the actual view of Mount Barney. Which is worth all of the cuts and scrapes and death-defying cliffs. You have earned that sandwich. Going back down is another adventure, as this angry little brother is a loop. There’s more scrambling, bouldering and climbing… which is more terrifying as you decent. And of course more questioning of your life decisions start to happen. At that point, you will be bleeding and maybe your crew will have a dislocated shoulder or two. You have now entered the “bum sled” zone. Full of loose boulders and sticks that won’t even buy you dinner first. Give yourself space between your crew. Lots of space . Stagger even . This is probably the most dangerous part. Good place to make things look like an accident if you know what I mean. You make it to the bottom. Not over yet as the disorientation continues. Watch your footing as the tall grasses are back and this is just a recipe for twisted ankles and broken dreams as down hill is always way worse. You make it out and you are back at the camp site. The lingerie is gone. You head back through the fire trails and the cows are there cheering for your insane accomplishment. What I learned: Bring lots of water, don’t go alone, be fit, have a downloaded offline map, and eat that sandwich. 5 stars will do again

Mount Ernest Summit Loop

Zach Dimmock

Oct 25, 2025•Hiking

Good views

I did Mount Barney via Logan’s ridge and SE ridge reversed (so ascended up Logan’s ridge). All trails map is essential for this track, many times I got lost and had to keep looking back at the map to redirect myself. First few km you can do at about 15:00/km pace but as soon as you get to the rocks it quickly blows out to about 30:00/km. First few km isn’t too bad, mainly just fire trails. Starts getting into overgrown single track from about km 3 and then from there it’s a slippery slope (literally) to cliff faces and sketchy climbs. Multiple points where if you slip and/or let go of the rock you will fall a good 10+ meters. I made it about 550m from the top before I came across a cliff face that I was not comfortable attempting without ropes, it would’ve put me on a directly vertical angle on the edge of the cliff with 20++ meter drop below. I tried 3 different ways around it and unfortunately couldn’t get up so I had to turn around. Next time I will listen to all trails and ascend SE ridge.

Difficulty: Hard

North Pinnacle via Logans Ridge and North Ridge

Adam Eyles

May 31, 2025•Hiking

Good conditionsGood viewsEasy to parkNot crowded

We camped in the saddle overnight, after starting at the campground yesterday morning. We went clockwise and came up to the saddle for the night. Then scaled the larger of the two peaks this morning, which is only 300m up from the saddle camp. The views were incredible towards Maroon Dam as we climbed up the peak, and also over to Mount Barney from the top. We stopped at the beautiful waterfall and swimming hole at the end of the hike this morning. Water freezing but so clear and refreshing. Don't miss the opportunity. It is just after the start of the walk at the red 4x4 sign, at the creek crossing.

Difficulty: Hard

Mount May via Waterfall Creek Loop

Parks

Headed to a park?

Take AllTrails with you

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Mount Barney National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Mount Barney National Park is Mount Maroon, which has a 4.7 star rating from 1,798 reviews. This trail is 2.8 mi long with an elevation gain of 2,165 ft.

What is the longest trail in Mount Barney National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Mount Barney National Park is Peasants Ridge, Midget Ridge, Eagles Ridge, Mezzanine Ridge. This trail is estimated to be 15.0 mi long.

How many trails are in Mount Barney National Park?

There are 43 trails in Mount Barney National Park. These trails have an average 4.4-star rating from 7,086 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Mount Barney National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Mount Barney National Park has you covered. North Pinnacle via Logans Ridge and North Ridge boasts the most elevation gain with 9,350 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Peasants Ridge, Midget Ridge, Eagles Ridge, Mezzanine Ridge, which will get you 8,070 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Mount Barney National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 28 camping trails in Mount Barney National Park and the most popular is Mount Maroon with an average 4.7 star rating from 1,798 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Mount Barney National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 2 running trails in Mount Barney National Park and the most popular is Lower Portals Track with an average 4.6 star rating from 856 community reviews.