Mt Barney National Park

Mount Barney National Park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. It is home to one of the largest undisturbed natural vegetation areas and some of the most spectacular and rugged range scenery in South East Queensland.

Spying Mt Lindesay from a back road.

Mt Ernest enters the frame.

Then Mt Maroon shows up through some blockading pricks.

Destination Mt Barney. Can't fence me out.

Camping is one of the pleasures of an adventuresome life.

But camping in Mt Barney National Park is one of the rarer luxuries of this unadventurous life.

I am a hiker. The wilderness is my retreat. 

And sometimes to retreat is the only way forward.

Hikers of an early Mt Barney morning.

Taking snapshots, climbing the edge of a cliff.

These guys are no strangers 'round the crooked gnarley trails
From dancing cliff-edged shattered sills...
Their voices drift up from below
As the walls are being scaled

I took off my thirsty boots and stayed for a while.

There on the cliffs of Mt Barney.

Mounts Lindesay and Ernest in the light of a brand new day.

Looking north from the East Peak of Mt Barney as clouds rolled in,
in the cool of a brand new morning. 

Mt Barney. At the top of East Peak looking at West Peak.

Lindesay and Ernest.

and

Ernest and Lindesay.

Mt Barney's West Peak in sunshine

or in shadow of the clouds.

Behind the North Peak, a peek at Lake Maroon and Mt May.

Rum Jungle

The source of Barney Creek flowing down to the Lower Portals on the north.

The rugged western slopes of the East Peak. 

The slopes ascending the West Peak are steeper still. The summit is accessed by steep unformed trails (Class 5). Can you spot the climbers?

The climb to the summit and all other peaks within MBNP should only be attempted by experienced, self-reliant, fit and well prepared walkers with sound bush skills.

Looking at East Peak from West Peak.

Leaning Ridge and Mt Maroon

North Peak at right.

The twin peaks Lindesay and Ernest are a pleasant sight from any angle

The source of Cronan Creek and Logan River on the southern side of the Rum Jungle saddle.

Mt Barney National Park is home to wonderful wildlife.

On the way back from the mountain, the natives came to greet bon voyage.

King Parrots and Rosellas frolicking aloft, blending with the verdant leaf shoots of a small tree.

An elusive Pheasant Coucal unable to elude the hiker bird-watcher.

Wompoo fruit dove

Dead snake. Let sleeping snakes lie.

Skink. Eastern blue-tongued lizard slinking away.

Goanna

Goanna dining out. With a koala, or rather on a koala.

          Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby: ‘You talkin’ to me?’ 

          Hiker: ‘Yessir, which way is up please?’ I meant to say 'down'.

          RW: ‘The only way up is up.’ 

                            

              Me: ‘Wow, that’s a great line. Can I quote you on that?’

A couple of roos were hitchhiking. I ruined their day by not stopping.
They were ruing the missed ride.

A hiker trudges back from Barney with Ernest in the background.

I bid adieu to the mountains. But I'll be back.

Lake Maroon

Stand-up paddlers on the lake. But the locality of Maroon is better known for its great football players, the mighty Queensland Maroons.

On the way home I thought I should check out Mt Maroon and Lake Maroon. I heard about this great tribe of footballers who hail from these parts. Legend has it that these native maroons when representing Queensland, hold a yearly ritual of flogging a hapless tribe of cockroaches from across the state border, just to the south of here. I was hoping to meet these legendary athletes who are the pride of Queensland. But that’s for another day.
I hope I don’t get marooned.

Click here for more images of Mount Barney.

Notes from the Police (http://mypolice.qld.gov.au/logan/2014/10/27/bush-walking-mount-barney/):

It’s important to stress that Mount Barney is a very difficult mountain to climb with the ever present potential for injury and becoming lost. 

The Queensland Police Service has primary responsibility for all Search and Rescue incidents in Qld including lost or injured bushwalkers. The Officer in Charge of Rathdowney Station is a qualified land search coordinator and in the event of lost, injured or overdue bushwalkers his responsibilities requires an appropriate rescue response is organised. Mount Barney is a category four listed bush walk, meaning it’s a very difficult climb and should not be attempted by inexperienced bushwalkers. On almost every occasion the common factor is that bushwalkers are overestimating their fitness and experience and underestimating the time required to reach the peak and return to the car park. First time bush walkers should always have an experienced bushwalker with local knowledge accompany them. Walkers need to clearly read the instructions in the car park and never attempt to reach the summit on Mt Barney if they leave the car park after 7am. It’s essential that mobile phone be taken and turned off unless needed as phone batteries lose their charge quickly whilst attempting to locate a phone tower signal. Bushwalkers need to have adequate supplies including additional food and water, spare phone battery and detailed topographical maps of the area. Bushwalkers attempting this climb need to do some research including information available on the internet and let family and friends know what their plans are prior to leaving.