Adventure time: Wild Horse Mountain Lookout – 1.4km

A short steep walk for spectacular 360º degree uninterrupted views of the Sunshine Coast!

Suitability

Suitable for reasonably fit walkers or slower walkers wanting to take their time.

Highlights

The Wild Horse Mountain lookout is in Beerburrum State Forest, east of the Bruce Highway/M1. The walk starts at the southern end of the car park.

On your 700m one-way walk to the top, you’ll pass casuarinas, grass trees and eucalypts You might also be lucky to see kookaburras, wagtails and dragonflies.

While a reasonably steep climb of 123m elevation, there is shade and generous seating at the top in the fire tower rotunda, which is operated in partnership with the fire monitoring site on Mt Beerburrum.

From the tower, you can see Brisbane to the south, as well as Pumicestone Passage and Coochin Creek. There are coastal plains to take in, numerous pine forestry plantations and the various Glass House Mountains to the west. Northwards you can spot Mount Coolum and Mount Cooroora️.

There are information boards in the tower which describe the peaks you are looking at.

Afterwards

From this location, you are close to an Aboriginal Bora Ring (which is on the western end of Johnston Road before you get to Crittendon Road).

If you’re after a bite to eat, just back down at Wild Horse Mountains services area, there are lots on offer for a quick pit stop including Beefys, Subway, golden arches and healthier options.

How to get there

Travelling on the M1, look for the Johnston Road turn-off that is signed Wild Horse Mountain Summit Lookout Exit and Exit 171. It’s located approximately halfway between Caloundra and Caboolture. At the turn-off head east on Johnston Road and then take the first road to your right to Wild Horse Mountain. Follow this road to the end to the car park.

*NB - Before you leave your car, make sure your vehicle is locked and any valuables are taken with you. Sadly, vehicles do get broken into here from time to time.

Trail

For more than 250 walking, running, paddling, cycling, mountain-biking and horse-riding trails on the Sunshine Coast #chooseyournextadventure with Adventure Sunshine Coast at https://adventure.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/

NB – For those who wish to take their dog on their adventures – be sure to check out council’s handy interactive off leash dog map to help identify the current dog off-leash, on-leash and prohibited areas when you’re out and about across the Sunshine Coast local government region: https://pets.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/