Sunshine Coast Council

A short steep walk for 360º degree uninterrupted views of the Glass House Mountains to your west, uninterrupted views of the Sunshine Coast

SUITABILITY
Suitable for reasonably fit walkers or slower walkers wanting to take their time.

HIGHLIGHTS
The Wild Horse Mountain lookout is in Beerburrum State Forest, east of the Bruce Highway/M1. This walk starts at the southern end of the car park up the cement road, and all the way up to the top, approximately 700m one way.

You’ll walk past casuarinas, grass trees and eucalypts. On your way you might be lucky to see kookaburras, wagtails and dragonflies.

While a reasonably steep climb of 123m elevation, there is shade and generous seating at the top in the fire tower rotunda, which is operated in partnership with the fire monitoring site on Mt Beerburrum.

From the tower you can see Brisbane to the south, as well as Pumicestone Passage and Coochin Creek. There are coastal plains to take in, numerous pine forestry plantations, and the various Glass House Mountains to the west and. Northwards you can also spot Mount Coolum and Mount Cooroora.

Look up while you are in the tower to read the information boards which describes the peaks you are looking at.

AFTERWARDS

From this location you are close to an Aboriginal Bora Ring which is on the western end of Johnston Road before you get to Crittendon Road. It is signposted, so look for the signs to your right just after a forestry section.

If you’re after a bite to eat just back down at WILD Horse Mountains services area there are lots on offer for a quick pit stop including Beefys, Subway, golden arches and healthier options.

HOW TO GET THERE
To the starting point: Travelling on the M1 look for the Johnston Road turn-off that is signed Wild Horse Mountain Summit Lookout exit and Exit 171. (This is also the McDonalds / Beefy’s Pies exit.)

It’s located approximately halfway between Caloundra and Caboolture.

At the turn-off head East on Johnston Road and then take the first road to your right to Wild Horse Mountain. It is well sign-posted. Follow this road to the end to the car park. Before you leave your car, make sure your vehicle is locked and any valuables are taken with you. Sadly, vehicles do get broken into here from time to time.

The end point: This is an up and back route. The end point is the same as your starting point.