This hike is set in the Cunningham Gap section of Main Range National Park, about 80 miles southwest of Brisbane, Queensland. From Brisbane take the Cunningham Highway towards Cunningham’s Gap. At the top of the gap, there is a car park next to the highway. Follow the Mount Cordeaux trail, the Bare Rock trail starts at the end of the Mount Cordeaux trail and Morgans walk is a half-mile sidetrack which ends in a grove of montane health and is definitely worth the extra effort. This area is part of the Gondawana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area and contains a lot of evolutionary history, has ongoing geological formations and also a high species diversity with many endemic and threatened species to be found there. Early morning is often the best time to see the amazing fauna that lives here, plus this is a popular trail, especially at weekends and in high season, so going early avoids the crowd and ensures a spot in the rather small car park. It is a well-signposted trail that leads through the lush, cool temperate rainforest on the western side of the peak of Mount Cordeaux and there are natural lookout points along the path before the forest gives way to a rocky saddle and then to Bare Rock, which is at just under 4000 ft of altitude. From here you get amazing views of the northern Ramparts and to the west the Darling Downs. This hike is rated as difficult; there are nearly 2000 ft of elevation gain, for more information on how we grade trails, please click here. There are also cliff edges so children need to be supervised and it is not possible for wheelchairs or pushchairs to access. Wear good footwear, this trail can be muddy in sections and take water and snacks with you. If going very early or late, it is a good idea to take a head torch; the rainforest can be rather dark. Expect the trail to take around 4 to 5 hours although caution is advised on trail times as this depends on multiple variables. For more info, click here. Dogs are not allowed on the trail.
