Mt Eerwah

GPS Tracks

65 Mt Eewah (KML)

This is a seldom but fun mountain to climb and in places only has a faint trail to the top. Views from there are in a westerly direction and whilst spectacular, the views to the east across the coastal plain, would have been even better, but for the scrub and trees.

It's a steep and loose track, definitely not suited for those with balance issues, smaller children, etc. A section near the top has eroded/wasted away, leaving a significant drop off - be careful!
The track is very clear. At one point the description on this site indicates to turn right upon reaching a ridge. I think that’s a typo as the track continues up to the left.

Scrambling or Climbing

No Dogs Permitted

No Camping Permitted

Rainforest

422m

Maximum Elevation

294m

Total Climb

Add to
My Wishlist

Tick Walk

Getting there:

From the Bruce Highway, take the Kenilworth/Noosa exit; follow signs towards Kenilworth on the Eumundi Kenilworth Road; turn left into Browns Creek Road and then left again into Mt Eerwah Rd. After 0.5km at the letter boxes 75 and 79, there is a spot on the left to park 3/4 vehicles (at the beginning of the bamboo hedge) and it is here that the walk begins, even though the mountain is on your right.

Maps:

None found.

Route/Trail notes:

At the start of the track there is a roadworks sign that says “Pedestrians” which point to the start of the track. Follow the fence line across three gullies, the last of which has been kindly roped. A faint trail contours around some open land until it reaches a ridge that you turn right onto. Now follow the ridge up where the trail threads through some rather large lantana patches. 1/3 up, you can take either the right and left trail, which converge after 100m at the top of a rocky gully.

Follow through the rainforest where the path is steep, slippery and loose. Once you leave the forest, after a few twists and turns above the cliff line and a further roped (broken 2017) section where the trail is narrow, you will reach another steep, loose slope that will get you to the summit ridge. Once the ground levels out, follow the ridge uphill and down dale to the 'true' summit. At the 'welcome' sign, enjoy the view, a drink and a bite to eat.

Retrace your steps back down.

Permits/Costs:

None.

Other References:

Climb Mt Eerwah

The word 'eerwah' is apparently the indigenous work for 'death adder'. So watch out!

I have read that you can continue beyond the summit, down and back up to the second summit to the south east, but I understand this would take you onto private land.

GPS Tracks

65 Mt Eewah (KML)

Comments

After the steep climb and getting to the welcome sign we thought we had finished but we continued following the track down a steep decline and along a ridge then a steady incline, the track is not as well worn although the track is marked out by pink/white tape.
There is a small rock outcrop at the end of the trail that is worth the effort for the beautiful view.
AdamK on 25 Jul, 2016

Nice hike. Only ones on the track!
SabrinaBlaas on 23 Jul, 2016

Did this at around 3 am, with little more than the light from my iPhone (used 20%) and reached the summit around 4.30 am. A big thanks to whoever placed the flagging tape along the trail! Would of been lost without them..
And For Those With A Keen Eye...
At The Summit There Lay A Reward....
Many Rooms With No Windows, Doors Or Corners....
Yet Inside A Golden Prize Lay Hidden...
Danny G on 7 Jul, 2016

The hardest part was finding the entrance through the 'arch'; and thus we have rewritten the guidelines and OTT'd flagging taped at the entrance and on the trail!

This was not so big a challenge as we had expected, but after heavy rain, the ropes were very welcome.
F.A.B. on 21 Jun, 2016

Going up the mountain, I didn't really need the ropes in the gully, and when the tracks became a little faint I was still able to find my way - however the ropes towards top were very much needed - if for no other reason then for safety. Going down the mountain the ropes, marker tape, rocks, trees and tree roots were all very useful/needed.

CAUTION: There is a short but rather precarious section towards the top where the track has washed/eroded away - leaving a narrow, uneven and slightly loose footing along the steep drop. In most places a slip would be unpleasant/a bit painful, but a slip at this section (and a subsequent failure to gain a firm hold of either the rope or some sturdy rock/tree root) could be far more serious. Experienced walkers and walkers with sturdy shoes/legs/feet should be able to negotiate this section - but less experienced, young, obese or highly fatigued walkers need to be very careful. I expect that in time, people will not be able to cross this section at all, but if some of the lantana above this section could be removed then a bypass may be possible.

Not long into the walk I saw a small snake scurry away ahead of me - I think it was a tree snake - in any case there were no issues. However, I did notice many crevices and holes that would be very ideal for snakes.

The welcome sign still hangs on a tree at the summit - very hard to miss it.

In a few of the more thicker/overgrown sections there are wait-a-while (aka Stinging Nestle) plants. With care, these can be avoided when going up, but as you will need to grab hold of the trees when getting back down, be extra careful to only grab rocks and solid/strong trees.

Sturdy shoes/hiking shoes and taking your time to get back down is highly recommended.

I did take some nice photos of the scenery and of some of sections which need extra care, but I lost my camera on the way back down. If anyone should find a small black camera, please contact me at fds23@krealm.org (Although the camera may no longer work, the SD card inside it has good chance of still working)
Anonymous on 21 May, 2016

Enjoyable back to nature walk/trek in rainforest. Definitely worth adding to the list. Track has a fair amount of loose surface, so expect to use the tree roots/trees for a safe descent. My 11 yr old son and I did the return trip (on a dry day) with water breaks and breather at the top in 2 hours; would likely be longer/trickier if wet.
Pink Panther on 25 Mar, 2016

Completed this walk today in the rain, perfect training for up coming PNG trip! Thank you for the rope up top-my least favourite part and the trail markers. Faint but easy to follow track. Steep and slippery but a fun climb. Took 3.5hrs return including a break at the top. Good grip shoes highly recommended- a lot of laughs watching a friend get through some bits. Probably one of my favourites so far
Kate on 7 Feb, 2016

Very muddy and slippery. Slipped around a few times going up. Coming down was surprisingly fine.
ezza1386 on 27 Jan, 2016

gps didnt track correctly, made it to the Welcome sign.. very tricky coming down lots of slips and slides down. Very thankful for the rope and the Markers, definately a different type of mountain climbing! 3 hour round trip with minimal breaks. will do again.
ezza1386 on 28 Dec, 2015

We did this walk yesterday,,one thing worth noting the road you turn down is Mt Eerwah Road,,and the little entry point is on the left hand side even though from the road the mountain is on the right,,so thankful for the kind walker who provided the ropes on the steep gully and the tree markers or we would have definitely got lost..I would say it was a fun adventurous climb,,not one you would put all the effort in if you just enjoy the view,,however a few lovely views from the ridge,,hold onto the rope though,,and when you get to the top.. .Definitely only attempt when the weather has been dry as I can imagine it would be really difficult if wet and you would get covered in mud..we were pleasantly surprised with this rather unknown gem,,unspoilt ,,no helping hand steps ,,a fun climb and very different,,so hard to compare with any other local mountains,,but quite steep,,with lots of trees vines to pull yourself up with...
Kath v on 9 Aug, 2015

Did this yesterday and the weather was perfect, the track was dry in all places and easy to follow just look for the markers on the trees and you won't go off the path. Thanks to the thoughtful person who has cut back the lantana making the path easy to cross through without a single scratch. Thanks also for the ropes in two places which make it an enjoyable climb. It's a steep climb up and I did it at a comfortable pace using trees, vines and rocks for support. I found a stick at the welcome sign and used it coming down as it is a rather steep descent. I found it a really satisfying climb with a stop for a while at the top it took nearly 3 hours.
Janet on 1 Aug, 2015

Been up there a couple times, the lantana section was overgrown so i cleared the path, put new ropes along the catwalk near the top, cleared more lantana near the Welcome sign area. First timers be careful and remember the way back as you go up, if you get lost retrace back to the previous markers. Enjoy!
drosera88 on 30 May, 2015

Firstly thanks for the pic showing trail.....overgrown track at times...bit hard to locate or to think it may be a runoff but persist and it will pay off. Hiking boots recommended and have some water with you as can make for a challenging hike with a nice rest place at the bluff I think they call it.
J on 13 Aug, 2014

The head of the trail is very hard to see, would not have spotted it if not for the photo on this site (Thanks!).
Another trail to avoid when wet due to slippery steep dirt/muddy banks unless you being a mud man by the end (personal experience).
When I walked this, sections of the trail were so heavily overgrown I needed to crawl through parts so unless its been cleared there may be issues.
Careful of the ropes up top due to heavy fraying.
All in all a fun walk but not much in the way of views at the top.
NerdTrails on 15 May, 2014

Very steep climb. lots of 'wait a while' and loose undergrowth. Was very appreciative of the ropes in occasional spots.
We chose not to come down the same track once walking the whole ridge but instead found a gully and made our way down through loose undergrowth and thankfully there were plenty of vines to hang on to!
Alot of laughs and most adventurous for all 9 of our group!
julieo on 26 Apr, 2014

I did this hike with a group of friends and found it an interesting climb. There is one section where you go through a tunnel of lantana. We decided to continue along the track heading east and down to the saddle, through some lovely vegetation. Few people come this way and the track is extremely faint but marked by tape.
It ends in cliffs. One of the guys checked for a way down but found none so we retraced our way to the saddle and decided to bush bash down the gully.
This was fun and challenging; steep, lose soil, small cliffs but enough vegetation to arrest your slides. Near the bottom the gully cut through rock and boulders, now flowing with water making the rock slippery. As the sides were steep and deep, we traveled along the bank. We finally saw a house below and then a dog and boy searching for another dog. He was able to give us directions to a dirt road that took us back to the sealed road and eventually pure car.
Round trip was 6.5 kms in 4 hrs.
Nichola Wallace on 26 Apr, 2014

Very faint trail, we walked both Western and then onto the Eastern summit. Very limited views on the way up to Western Summit but only partial views through dense trees on the Eastern side. Beginning of trail is easy to miss. There is a wire arch marking the beginning of this trail. This is before the hill and may look like a turning bay rather than a car space.
Kim on 9 Nov, 2013

A group of us completed this today heading up to the western peak and then across the saddle to the Eastern peak. Better views from the east. 5 hrs plus for this walk.
ruzzelz on 30 Jun, 2012

A good walk but heavily eroded in parts.
Laurence Hallam on 21 Sep, 2011

A very faint trail that begins on the corner of the layby between two fencelines.
The path is overgrown, poorly maintained, and badly marked. Some areas are positive mudslides, so would not recommend in wet weather. Walk along the top is pleasant, in spite of encumbered views.
Walkabout on 11 May, 2011