Table Top Loop

Toowoomba

Table Top mountain on the edge of Toowoomba, provides views of the Lockyer Valley and surround. The climb itself can be quite demanding with a lot of large steps over the Camel's Hump and a scramble just before the summit. But the reward at the top, with a circuit all the way around, provides a spectacular vista.

Table Top is an area of high significance to the Traditional Owners, recognised in the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Register and protected under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003. You are respectfully requested to consider your decision to climb this mountain.

Lookouts
Scrambling or Climbing
Eucalypt Forest
597m
Maximum Elevation
158m
Total Climb

Getting there:

From Toowoomba follow South Street south until it becomes Tabletop Driver. Continue to follow Tabletop Driver until it turns into a dirt track. At the end of which is the entrance to the walk and areas to park.

Maps:

None found.

Route/Trail notes:

The walk starts at the base of the Camel's Hump, which is comprised of a lot of large steps. This section is quite steep for about 150m. The down section of the hump is less demanding but expect to encounter medium sized rocks to climb over. The face of Table Top is predominently large gravel which can be loose so take care. Right before the summit expect a steep scramble, it's not a difficult climb, but pick your path before you start, to save having to change direction halfway. At the summit, there is a circuit that takes you all the way around the mountain top.

Permits/Costs:

None.

Other References/Comments:

http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/visitors-hit-heights-on-mountain/2279594/

http://www.weekendnotes.com/hiking-tabletop-mountain-toowoomba/

Comments

I have done Table Top Mt a couple of times, but today was a quite windy day, which is normally not ideal because it can get very cold in winter especially on top of mountain.

However it helped me a lot when descending as I would not need to struggle with my balance or squat down to get through the scramble at the top, the wind just improved my balance, which was a quite different experience than the usual ones.

Jimmy on 23 Aug, 2020

Hard scramble over rocks for the majority of this walk. I can see how it received the 'hard' rating. Big leg workout. We did in the middle of Winter on one of the windiest days, which was a bit off putting. If you're doing it in the Summer months, make sure you take water - only shady for first third of the walk. My fear of heights was on edge with the wind factor. I think if it wasn't so windy, I may have enjoyed it more

Tanya on 4 Jul, 2020

A short walk but it is straight up and a rock scramble for much of it. Our boys loved it! Took half an hour up and down again, around 20mins up top taking in the magical view.

Curry Bunch on 1 Jul, 2020

Quite a challenge but worth it at the end. Climbing gloves could be useful for the scramble at the top. One of the few hikes that I can say going down is as challenging as going up.

Naomi Bradley on 30 Jun, 2020

Great.

Marlaina Embling on 20 May, 2020

Good walk

Stoz on 4 May, 2020

again ticking off walks as i have just joined been hiking for a while this was a fair bit of rock hopping and the last scramble up the rocks to the top you have to be careful :) i can see how some people slip but if ya take care ya should be ok no rushing :) we did it from toowoomba side :)

vlad on 8 Mar, 2020

here's a good video of what to expect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIc67ZINicg&t=24s

I grew up with a photo of this mountain on the back of the family toilet door, Yesterday I finally got a chance to climb it and find out why it's so special.
3 weeks ago Toowoomba, the "Garden City" was in high drought. Locals tell me that area that you are looking at was mostly orange.
Turns out the the attire or choice for climbing TableTop Mountain is either full hiking gear. backpack, water, and survival snacks (internationals) or rugby shorts and no top (locals).

In 1843 three Aboriginal tribes, Jagera, Yuggera and Uragapul suffered massive losses here with a battle against the Europeans. It became known as the Battle of One Tree Hill (as the mountain was known then).
HIstory tells us that After a mass poisoning at Kilcoy Homestead, aboriginal leader Multuggera led an ambush on squatters taking supplies across from Moreton Bay, at One Tree Hill.
The squatters organised a revenge party and the aborigines retreated up the mountain. They escaped into the Lockyer Valley but were later tracked down and killed by the military.
In 2010, the National Library of Australia acquired a sketch by local Thomas John Domville Taylor for $120,000 which is believed to be an eyewitness account of the aftermath of the battle. This made it one of less than ten visual eyewitness accounts of attacks by European settlers on indigenous people.

Daryl Keeley on 17 Feb, 2020

Definitely a good rock scramble towards the top. Some sections are a little hairy so take care as there's not much around to stop a fall.

Matt on 2 Jan, 2020

Definitely a good rock scramble towards the top. Some sections are a little hairy so take care as there's not much around to stop a fall.

Matt on 2 Jan, 2020

Possibly not the best one to do if you are prone to spraining your ankle, lots of rock hopping, walking on loose rocks, climbing up rock faces. Very enjoyable little hike with a lot of variety and a nice view at the top. Track is very easy to follow, would have a hard time getting lost.

Vonsnrub on 18 Dec, 2019

3.5/5 stars, 2hrs return at relaxed pace. Fairly short distance but decently challenging, most of the trail (fairly straightforward to follow) involves walking on top of rocks, and uphill steep enough in some areas that using your hands to grab nearby branches/rocks to stabilize is probably a good idea, but possible to get away without using hands. Some portions are loose dirt, which combined with the uphill make some sections very slippery. Shoes with good grip would help, especially since most of the trail involves maneuvering on top of rocks (but not really scrambling or climbing). Shade dots the trail but I wouldn’t rely on it, the trail goes up the mountain from the west so if you go early enough in the morning the rocks shouldn’t be too hot to touch. There are one or two viewpoints along the trail but the views are mostly at the peak. Given that the distance is so short, I wasn’t too concerned about the slight lack of scenery on the way up. The peak itself is as the name suggests, large and flat like a table top, and is also mostly barren of trees, so be sure to bring a hat. The rock cairn at the peak directly ahead of the trail provides a good view of the land. Because the peak is quite large and flat, you can’t really get a good 360 degree view from this mountain. A decent hike given its proximity to Toowoomba (plenty of lunch options and toilets in the nearby suburbs). I wouldn’t mind doing it again if I was in Toowoomba, but I might be more inclined to check out some of the other nearby mountains instead of repeating it. I've done this hike 1 time.

Sam on 22 Nov, 2019

Mooi, cactussen

Kristina on 4 Aug, 2019

Great climb/scramble. Took my kids up - aged 8, 10 and 14. They loved it. Best to keep an eye on them and take water and first aid (just in case).
Suck a great walk though.

Janielle Pyne on 3 Jul, 2019

Nice quick little scramble! A lot of sharp edgy rocks so make sure you wear shoes with thick soles. Took us about an hour up and down with a little rest at the top.

Jessica Sellinger on 17 Jun, 2019

Took about 35 mins to get to the top. Nice short hike for beginners with little bit of scrambling and rock hopping + 360 degree views.

CL on 22 May, 2019

Excellent walk, completed this morning on my own. Great views

Jodie Woodward on 20 Apr, 2019

Quite challenging getting to the top; a bit of rock scrambling; nice views from the top

Jason on 14 Apr, 2019

My 7yo and I completed Tabletop this morning, beautiful views at the top. It was quite popular with the lovely weather. My little one was a trooper!

Angelique on 13 Apr, 2019

3rd time climbed. 2nd time for sunrise. Honestly I think sunrise up here is the best way to go. Besides the 360° views and colours, it's much cooler and I find climbing or scrambling up the last section, by headlamp was less daunting. I know some run up and down this, but if it's your 1st time up, take care, especially on the middle section where there is loose, sliding rocks.

rainbowshlee on 25 Mar, 2019

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