The best camping near Mount Barney National Park

If you’re looking to escape the beaten track, the wild landscapes of Mount Barney National Park provide plenty of opportunities. Follow bushwalking trails into the heart of the rainforest, venture out along little-visited tracks, and camp out at remote bush campsites miles away from civilization. Fancy a challenge? The park has seven mountains, including the 1,359-metre Mount Barney, and summit climbs are a daring feat for experienced hikers. Scramble up rocky cliffs, pass along narrow ridges, and tackle steep uphill climbs. For seasoned mountaineers, this is also a popular spot for rock climbing and abseiling.

• Best for hikers: Boonah Border Gate remote bush camp has limited spaces but easy access to walking trails along the Scenic Rim.
• Best for riverside camping: Hoop Pines remote bush camp has a strategic location on the banks of Yamahra Creek and spacious tent pitches amid a pine grove.  
• Best for mountain views: Montserrat Lookout remote bush camp has soil pitches on an exposed summit (avoid this one in windy weather) and magnificent views of Mount Barney.

1. Camping must be booked in advance, and you will need to pay the full fee upfront to secure your reservation.
2. Camping permits are required for all the park’s campsites, and a tag with your booking number must be displayed on your tent at all times. 
3. Book at least six weeks in advance if visiting in summer (December to February) or on bank holiday weekends. There are strict limits on campers at each site, so even the most remote bush camps can fill up.

The weather is notoriously changeable at Mount Barney, so come prepared whenever you visit. April to September provides the most pleasant weather for hiking, although you’ll need to wrap up warm at night. Summer (December through February) temperatures can reach up to 40°C, especially on exposed ridges. Pack a raincoat if visiting between November and March, as thunderstorms are common at the end of a sunny day. 

• Mount Barney National Park is located south of Brisbane, about a 2-hour drive along Mount Lindesay Highway. Parking is available at Cleared Ridge, Lower Portal, Cotswold, and Yellow Pinch. All campsites are accessible on foot only.
• There are minimal facilities within the park, but restrooms and information points are available at Lower Portal and Yellow Pinch car parks. The closest gas stations and shops to the park are in Boonah and Rathdowney, so stock up on supplies before arrival.
• No campsites in the park have facilities, power, or mobile phone coverage. Bring everything you need with you, including plenty of drinking water.
• There is a strict open-fire ban within the park and generators are prohibited at all park camping grounds. 
• There are no wheelchair-accessible trails or facilities at Mount Barney.