Visiting Beerburrum and Beerwah safely
Read and follow the safety directions on safety signs; it could save your life.
Photo credit: Ross Naumann, QPWS volunteer.
Toilet facilities at Coochin Creek day-use and camping areas are wheelchair accessible (some assistance may be required).
Photo credit: Ross Naumann, QPWS volunteer.
Getting there and getting around
About 70km north of Brisbane, the extensive forest areas of Beerburrum and Beerwah State Forests are located on both sides of the Bruce Highway (M1). The forests extend north from Caboolture to Caloundra, and from Pumicestone Passage west to Woodford.
There are separate access routes to each of the recreation nodes—Coochin Creek camping and day-use areas; Glass House Mountains lookout; Ewen Maddock mountain-bike trail and Bracalba trails.
Coochin Creek camping area and Coochin Creek day-use area are located in Beerwah State Forest on the eastern side of the Bruce Highway (M1). Take Exit 179 Bells Creek Road/Roys Road exit. At the Bells Creek Road/Roys Road junction, head east and continue following Roys Road (which turns right off Bells Creek/Roys Road) to the camping and day-use areas turn off (approximately 5km).
Access is suitable for conventional vehicle and includes a short section of unsealed road approaching the camping and day-use areas.
Small boats can be launched from the Coochin Creek boat ramp, 1km past the camping area. From the boat ramp the camping area is 3km upstream and the Pumicestone Passage provides opportunities to adventure in Moreton Bay Marine Park, famed for boating and fishing opportunities.
Glass House Mountains lookout, located in Beerburrum West State Forest, has views over all the Glass House Mountains. From the Bruce Highway (M1) turn off onto the Glass House Mountains Tourist Drive 24 (Steve Irwin Way)—if you are travelling north it is also signed as the Beerburrum exit; travelling south it is signed as the Landsborough exit. From Steve Irwin Way there are multiple routes to connect to the Old Gympie Road and then Glass House–Woodford Road that travels approximately 3km to the lookout.
Ewen Maddock mountain-bike trail, located in Beerwah State Forest, just off the Steve Irwin Way.
Bracalba running trails and shared trail, located in Glass House Mountains Conservation Park and Beerburrum West State Forest, just off the D’Aguilar Highway between Wamuran and D’Aguilar townships.
There are two main access points:
- McConnell Road entrance—best access for the running trails. Travel for 4km along Raaen Road (off the D’Aguilar Highway) and turn right into McConnell Road. There is a car park located near the entrance.
- O’Shea Road entrance—best access for horse floats. Travel along Newlands Road from Wamuran, and turn left onto O’Shea Road. There is ample parking for horse floats.
The Glass House Mountains Visitor and Interpretive Centre is a great place to visit first for an orientation to the area. It is located at Settler's Rotary Park on Bruce Parade, corner of Reed Street, Glass House Mountains.
Wheelchair accessibility
Facilities suitable for people using wheelchairs (assistance may be required) are provided at:
- Glass House Mountains lookout—toilet, picnic tables, lower lookout area and the display area around the base of the fire tower.
- Coochin Creek camping and day-use area—toilet.
Staying safe
Check before leaving home
- Park alerts
- Bushfire alerts and fire bans (wood fires are not permitted during fire bans).
- Weather forecasts Bureau of Meteorology.
In an emergency
- call Triple Zero (000)
Walk and explore safely
- Avoid walking, riding and driving during wet weather. Tracks can be slippery, especially after rain. Vehicles can easily become bogged.
- Never walk or ride alone—if something happens to you someone in your group can go for help.
- Stay on track and tell a responsible person where you are going and when you should return.
- Wear sturdy shoes, suitable clothing and a hat.
- Carry a mobile phone, water, first-aid kit and insect repellent.
- Supervise children—natural areas have hazards with which children are unfamiliar—creeks and defensive wildlife.
- Observe and comply with all regulatory and closure signs.
Food and cooking safety
- Take care with fire—open fires are only permitted in the communal fire rings provided. Bring your own clean milled firewood.
- Make sure your fire is out with water before you leave it.
- Preferably bring a fuel stove.
- Avoid food poisoning—store food at appropriate temperatures and out of reach of foraging wildlife in strong lockable containers.
Water Safety
- Never dive into creeks, as they contain submerged rocks and logs. Water depth is unpredictable. Rock surfaces can be slippery.
Wildlife safety
- Know how to treat a snake bite. Snakes generally retreat when encountered. If they feel threatened, they can become defensive. If you come across a snake, back away to a safe distance and allow the snake to move away.
- Never feed, handle or play with wildlife—you may get bitten or scratched, and animals can become aggressive towards people when fed.
- Check yourself and children for ticks. Follow the recommended method for tick removal.
For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.
Before you visit
Essentials to bring
- Enough water for your drinking, cooking and cleaning (water provided at the forest is unsuitable for drinking).
- A first-aid kit (including snake bite bandages) and insect repellent to deter mosquitoes and sandflies.
- Mobile phone and sturdy shoes.
- Sunscreen, a hat and long-sleeved shirt for sun protection.
- Strong sealable containers or rubbish bags to store your food and to store your rubbish to take away with you when you leave. Useful tip: remove excess packaging before you leave home.
- If you intend to use the communal fire rings in the Coochin Creek camping area, bring clean firewood—such as untreated mill cut-offs (it is illegal to collect wood from the forest). If there are fire bans you will need to pack a suitable fuel cooking stove—check Park Alerts.
Opening hours
Beerburrum and Beerwah State Forests are open 24 hours a day.
For your safety: bushwalk, drive and ride in Beerburrum and Beerwah State Forests in daylight hours only.
Permits and fees
Camping permits are required and fees apply.
- Find out more about Coochin Creek camping area.
- Book your camp site online.
- If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.
Permits are required for commercial activities and some organised events.
Pets
Domestic animals are not permitted at Coochin Creek camping and day-use area in Beerwah State Forest.
Climate and weather
The Glass House Mountains area has a mild, subtropical climate. In summer, the average daily temperature ranges from 18 to 28°C and in winter from 11 to 20°C. During summer you may encounter temperatures in excess of 35°C. Plan your visit to avoid the midday heat.
Fuel and supplies
Fuel and supplies are available at nearby local townships. For more information see the tourism information links.
- There are currently no park alerts for this park.