Lookout Road
Scenic Rim
Main Range National Park (Goomburra)
A nice little drive on gravel and bitumen tracks to a number of stunning lookouts and bushwalks in the incredible Goomburra Section of Main Range National Park.
This heavily trafficked drive starts at the Kurrajong Picnic Area, off of Forestry Reserve Road in Goomburra.
The drive is easy, with a single creek crossing at the very start of Lookout Road being the only reason a 4WD or high clearance vehicle is required.
Following the creek crossing, the drive involves a mixture of well-maintained gravel roads and bitumen sections and is an easy and pleasant drive. That said, the road is narrow, steep in sections and windy.
The drive is through a mix of eucalypt forest and rainforest and there are numerous lookouts and bushwalks along the way, including Sylvester’s Lookout, Mount Castle Lookout and Araucaria Falls, as well as the longer North Branch and Winder Tracks.
There are also a number of pleasant walks that start at the Manna Gum campground, nearby the starting point to this drive, including the Dalrymple Circuit, Cascades Circuit and Ridge Track.
Lookout Road ends in a cul de sac at the Mount Castle Lookout trailhead.
Difficulty: This is a beginners level drive. A high-clearance vehicle is required for the initial creek crossing only. The remainder of the drive involves a mixture of well-maintained gravel roads and bitumen sections. That said, the road is narrow, steep in sections and windy.
Direction: This is an out-and-back track that returns the way it came. There are no side tracks that branch off the main drive, so it impossible to get lost.
getting there
The drive starts at the Kurrajong Picnic Area, off of Forestry Reserve Road in Goomburra, 2.5 hours drive south-west of Brisbane.
best time to go
The drive can be completed year-round, however like all 4WD tracks, conditions are likely to be considerably more difficult after heavy rain.
Always check the Queensland Parks website for updates on track closures.
Remember, whenever venturing into the outdoors, practice the Leave No Trace principles and be considerate of others. This means: dispose of your waste properly, don't remove things or move things from their natural position and respect all wildlife. Also be sure to plan ahead and adequately prepare for any adventure.
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I respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which all activities listed on this website are found, as well as Elders past, present and emerging. I strive to not promote sites where requests have been made for people not to explore due to the cultural significance of the site to Indigenous peoples, or note how to respectfully visit a site. If I have a promoted a site with cultural significance, please send me a message and let me know.