If you’re up at the sunshine coast in Queensland and are a bit awestruck by the Glass House Mountains, then make your way to the summit of Mt Ngungun (pronounced “gun gun”). It’s not hard or long. Two hours return is very achievable for most, and the views from the top make it one of the most rewarding hikes for the minimal effort required.
The 2.8km return hiking trail begins from a well marked carpark along Fullertons Rd, a few short kilometres from the Glass House Mountains township. The grade is a steady incline suitable for the whole family, although upon arriving at the 253m summit there is a dramatic cliff you’d need to keep kids away from.
If you find this trail a bit tame then head down the road to Mt Tibrogargan. It provides a testing scramble up to it’s 364m summit. To read about that climb click here.
My brother and I on the Ngungun summit (253m) with Mt Coonowrin (377m) and Mt Beerwah (556m) behindOn the trail up you get a nice view of Mt TibrogarganThe final summit ridge is easily negotiatedMore views from the top
Woah! Try getting that one out in one go! What an action packed couple of days! Had a blast sailing on “Keel Train” in the Saint Helena Cup on Saturday and on Sunday climbing up a picturesque Mount Tibrogargan in the Glass House Mountains.
Scottie hooked me up with a ride on “Keel Train”, a fast Farr 40 racing yacht for the annual St Helena Cup in Moreton Bay.
20/10/12 – Keel Train
After finding the boat through the maze that is Manly marina Liz my cousin randomly turned up for a sail. Small world sometimes.
With all ten on board we quickly donned our “XL” crew shirts and headed out to face the fresh 20 knot northerly.
The start of a sailing race is chaos. Full stop. There are boats coming at you left, right and centre so it was a good thing our knowledgeable (me not included) and youthful crew was on their ‘A’ game… or so it seemed…
Unfortunately we were a bit too eager to tear the race apart and ended up over the line at the gun, but with a quick spin around Torpy had us back with the leaders in next to no time… ‘A’ game recovered.
We absolutely hooted along with the kite up and finished the day in fourth I believe. A solid effort!
20/10/12 – On board action (Credit to Ryan’s GoPro footage)
Sunday was rock climbing day up Mt Tibrogargan – Wooo! And there were ten of us brave enough to take on the challenge – regardless of death stories or the 25 helicopter rescues a year Mum warned us about.
21/10/12 – Mt Tibrogargan from the highway. We climbed up the other side (Nice photo Avin)
The trail started off as a gentle uphill stroll but in the blink of an eye we were scaling up a near vertical rock chute!
Funnily enough it was at this moment that we heard a rescue helicopter hovering above like a bee in search of nectar. It sensed Kelly was on the mountain…
From there the grade eased up a fraction but only once we got to the top could we truly take a breather and soak up the stunning landscape now 364m below.
Short, sharp, steep – and stunning – is an apt description.
Standing on the edge of a sheer cliff top, Cherry pulled some daredevil poses for the camera, assuring all of us she was “both mentally and physically stable”. Whatever you say Cherry… whatever you say.
Anyway thankfully we all made it down intact – albeit minus the hole Kelly tore in her pants. Sorry had to be said.
21/10/12 – The top of Tibro! From left: Peter, Avin, Mike, Cherry, Kelly, Matt, me and Ash21/10/12 – A seat with a view21/10/12 – It’s certainly no bushwalk21/10/12 – Ash, Kate, Zoe and me halfway up21/10/12 – “The Conquerors” Kelly, Ash and Cherry with Mt Beerwah and Mt Coonowrin in the distance
ADVENTUROUS TRIPS 