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Glasshouse Mountains, QLD

The Glasshouse Mountains, 13 in all, are found in the hinterland of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. They are actually the cores of 20 million year old volcanoes, so that the sides of the volcanoes have eroded away leaving only hardened plugs or rock spires.

See some of the highlights of the Glasshouse Mountains in the short video below (duration: around 3 minutes).

If staying in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, the mountains make a fun day trip of only 70 Km or just over one hour drive away, or if time permits, spend a few days getting to know the area.

Discover Glasshouse Mountains

The Aboriginal dreaming story about these formations gives each of the mountains a name and character in a family, and tells a dramatic story of human relationships.

Captain James Cook gave the area its unusual English name while sailing past, on his way up Australia’s east coast, in 1770. From a distance they reminded him of the glass-making furnaces of his home town in Yorkshire.

Glasshouse Mountains

There are both sealed and unsealed roads through the Glass House Mountains National Park, with spectacular lookouts over the surrounding plains along the way. An excellent day trip could include a lunch stop at picnic grounds, bush trails and rock-climbing.

Glass House Mountains National Park

The area around the mountains produces many tropical fruits such as avocados, pineapples and papaws as well as strawberries, vegetables, nuts and tobacco.

Visitors can stay in the area at the township of Glass House Mountains, which can be reached in about 20 minutes from Caboolture or 30 minutes from Caloundra.

  • Distance from Brisbane (State Capital): 70 Kilometres.
  • Nearest Airport: Brisbane

Top Things to do in the Glasshouse Mountains.

The area is delightful, full of surprises and beautiful spots around every corner, with plenty of places to stop to view the scenery and take photos. If traveling with the family, it is a child-friendly trip with plenty of places to purchase food and drinks, along with rest stops. Here are some of the top things to do while at the Glasshouse Mountains.

1. Sunshine Coast and Noosa Day Trip

Departing Brisbane, you’ll journey past small villages and farms as you climb into the mountains of the Blackall Range. Get stunning views of the Queensland coastline and stop at scenic reserves for panoramic views of the Glass House Mountains from the lookout.

Continue past Gerrard’s Lookout to see more views, along the coast. Arrive at Montville to explore the quaint mountain village before going to Eumundi Markets – one of the best Australian premier artisan outlets for art and food.

Have lunch at Eumundi Markets (only open Wednesday and Saturday), before visiting the amazing white beaches of Noosa, where the rich and famous come to unwind by the sea.

2. Montville and Rain Forest

Explore the Mary Cairncross Rainforest Reserve and Montville village. The walk in the rain forest is stunning, where you learn about plants that grow there and the wildlife and birds. After that enjoy a gourmet lunch with Panoramic views across to the coast. Follow with a drive to various hinterland lookouts for photo opportunities. Visit the small villages and shops along the way to end the tour to the Glasshouse Mountains.

Montville town shopping center

3. Mount Ngungun Activities

This mountain provides opportunities for moderately challenging rock face climbing and abseiling. Only experienced climbers should undertake this activity. Alternately mountain bike riding tours are available for the experienced bike rider. However, the walk up the Mountains is recommended for families as it is a gentle two-hour walk, with a great view to reward you when you reach the top.

4. Maleney Botanic Gardens and Bird World

Spend half a day at the beautiful Botanical Gardens, despite the name, located at nearby Wootha. See Bird World with multicolored Parrots, and other diverse bird life. The tropical plants are beautiful, and it is a lovely place to relax and have a cold drink before continuing your trip through the Glasshouse Mountains.

5. Buderim Ginger Factory

If you have children they will enjoy a tour of the Ginger Factory. It shows you how ginger is processed from raw to chocolate coated. A play bundle is given to each child, (covered in the price of admission). Book to go early and then take them elsewhere before lunch, as food is expensive. Before you leave, try the amazing ginger ice cream that has to be tasted to be believed!

6. Queensland Air Museum

Right at the end of the Glasshouse Mountains is Caloundra where Caloundra Airport is big enough to have an Air Museum. Many people find this extremely interesting, as it houses a collection of aircraft not seen anywhere else in Australia. The collection started in 1974 with a Canberra Bomber purchased from a Government Disposal and has grown, so spend some time there browsing through the hangers.

7. Noosa Everglades Tour from Noosa Heads

Head off on an exciting adventure to the Noosa Everglades, the only everglades system in Australia. Take a motorboat down the Noosa River to discover some of the wildlife and explore the surrounding lakes. Paddle a canoe down the River of Mirrors in the Great Sandy National Park.

Highlights

  • Discover and learn about the abundant wildlife of this unique region
  • Enjoy lunch during your tour
  • Canoe down the beautiful River of Mirrors and take in the natural scenery

This trip is something not available anywhere else in Australia so take your camera to get some wildlife shots. If you are staying in Noosa, you will be able to spend some time walking through the amazingly unspoiled National Park, a track winds along above the beach, and you can go for miles and hardly see anyone.

8. Mount Beerburrum The Big Pineapple

The Big Pineapple is located on the north side of Nambour, and children will want to see it on their way down from the Glasshouse Mountains. When it was erected in the heart of Pineapple country in the 1970s, there wasn’t much else to see, now there is so much to do on a holiday that we tend to forget about it.

big pineapple

Have some photos standing in front of it to remember your amazing trip to the Glasshouse Mountains and Sunshine Coast.

When you visit the Glasshouse Mountains and the Sunshine Coast you will never want to leave, as every day feels like a holiday. Every year, hundreds of people move there to start a new life in the sun.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit South Queensland and the Glasshouse Mountains is really all year round, as Queensland has a tropical climate. However, if you are not used to the heat June to October is usually warm (winter months), with little or no rain.

The climate of Queensland is a sub-tropical humid climate with two seasons, a rainy and humid season in summer (October to May) and a relatively dry season between June and October.

The average maximum temperature in Brisbane ranges between 29C in January and 20C in July. While the average minimum temperatures vary between 21C in January and 9C in July.

The rainy season is from October to May, with greater intensity of rainfall during Summer, December to February, and during that time the humidity is intense and steamy, some people find the humid conditions exhausting, however, you do become used to it.

Where to stay?

Experiences

  • Caravan and Camping
  • Rural/Country
  • Eco Tourism
  • Environmental
  • Food and Wine
  • Historic/Heritage
  • Honeymoon
  • Indulgence/Luxury
  • Mountain
  • Nature based
  • Relaxation
  • Soft Adventure

Popular Activities

  • Off Road Driving
  • Bird Watching
  • Bush Walking
  • Canoeing
  • Rock Climbing
  • Cycling
  • Horse Riding
  • Scenic Flight
  • Sightseeing
  • National Park
  • Fishing
  • Rainforest
  • Wilderness
  • Fruit Picking
  • Fishing - Estuary

About Glasshouse Mountains

  • Locality: Region
  • Glasshouse Mountains Postcode: 4518
  • State: Queensland
  • Region: Sunshine Coast
  • Latitude: -26.956132
  • Longitude: 152.948640
  • Elevation: 556 mm
  • Timezone: Australia/Brisbane

Accommodation In Glasshouse Mountains

Discover some of the accommodation in and around Glasshouse Mountains

Explore The Outback

Australia has a vast remote interior, much of it largely untouched. By night, the outback is deathly quiet, with the only light provided by the stars and the moon - a perfect oportunity for stargazing. Explore the isolated heart of the country, meet and connect with Aboriginal people and experience one of the oldest living cultures in the world. Go ‘walk-about’ and immerse yourself with Australia’s endless outback horizons.

Outback Experiences

Luxe Accommodation

Enjoy a distinctly Australian luxury experience, such as the unforgettable reefs, islands, beaches and coast; rugged mountain ranges, rainforests and vast national parks; and the many vibrant food and wine regions. Take a once in a lifetime adventure and discover the sheer indulgence of experiencing the wonders of Australia in style and stay in total luxury.

Australia has wide variety of accommodation options to suit most budgets and travelling preferences. Choose from luxury lodges, boutique hotels, serviced apartments, motels, bed and breakfasts, caravan parks as well as youth and backpacker hostels.

Accommodation

Glasshouse Mountains

The Glasshouse Mountains in the hinterland of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast are actually the cores of 20 million year old volcanoes. The sides of the volcanoes have eroded away leaving only the hardened rock spiremountain cores we see today. Learn more about this awe-inspiring landscape.

Glasshouse Mountains