Girraween National Park
Overview
Girraween National Park is a mecca of massive granite outcrops, precariously balanced boulders, clear running streams and spectacular wildflowers in spring. One is not spoilt for choice when it comes to the beautiful nature on offer. Flora includes the likes of golden wattle, yellow, red and purple pea flowers, orchids, flannel flowers, red-gum, stringybark and blackbutt. The diverse fauna on show include frogs, lizards, snakes, parrots, yellow-tufted honeyeaters, fairy-wrens, red-necked wallabies, brush-tailed possums and spiny echidnas! The park sits in the south eastern corner of Queensland, in the Granite Belt near Stanthorpe.
Girraween means ‘place of flowers’
The Pyramid Track is the iconic walk in Girraween National Park. At the top of an acute angled granite slope at the end of this track sits its piece de resistance, Balancing Rock. From here you’ll also gaze across an incredible 180 degree vista of the national park. En route to Balancing Rock is the Granite Arch, an intriguing formation in its own right.
The Pyramid Track lies on the opposite side of the road to the Sphinx Track, which is another stellar hike taking visitors to some rock formations named with big of imagination in tow. Near the end of this walk is Castle Rock, The Sphinx and Turtle Rock.
To be honest, I did all of the below walks before midday on a Saturday. I’d say I have a moderate fitness level. So you can definitely achieve these across a day or weekend! For a more enjoyable pace however, perhaps do the Pyramid Track on one day and the Sphinx on another, spending 2 – 3 hours on each.
Girraween National Park is open 24 hours a day.
This will give you ample time to spend an afternoon at one of the region’s stunning wineries. You definitely don’t want to miss these! See my post on Stanthorpe & The Granite Belt for some great ideas!
Itinerary
The Granite Arch
The Pyramid
Balancing Rock
The Sphinx
Turtle Rock
Castle Rock
The Granite Arch
Granite Arch is a very easy 30 minute loop track (1.6 km circuit) which takes hikers past Stringybark and Blackbutt to Girraween’s own natural stone archway. Starting from the Bald Rock Creek Day Use Area, cross over Bald Rock Creek and follow the signs to this marvel!
The Pyramid
Continue onwards beyond Granite Arch and towards The Pyramid to make this a 3.6km circuit. You’ll wind steadily uphill through eucalypts, past incredible balancing boulders of granite, along grassy flats and across meandering creeks. If you’re lucky enough to walk in the morning, you’ll catch the peak illuminated in sunlight and standing sentinel above the majestic forests of Girraween.
The hike is of an easy grade until the base of The Pyramid. From here the last scramble up the exposed granite to the summit is tough. I normally hike in my flip flops but this is impossible along this passe. You’ll need some decent grip on your shoes and likely will require a stop or two on the ascent.
Balancing Rock
At the top, there’s a few rocks that look as though they could be the famous ‘Balancing Rock’!
The summit is just so beautiful you won’t know what direction to look first. I walked to the left around a gorgeous granite outcrop and a ‘Mini Balancing Rock’ to the top where the views across the valley were monumental. You’ll catch glimpses of Mount Norman and The Sphinx from here too.
Once you’ve taken some great panoramas, head to the back of The Pyramid where you’ll find Balancing Rock. Time of day will influence the shadows and light that playfully dance along this gorgeous rock escarpment. Take a moment to sit and have a snack, or simply take in the beauty of the great outdoors.
The return is along the same track from which you came.
The Sphinx
The trek out to The Sphinx is a lovely leisurely one, past gorgeous blooming flowers, granite outcrops and more eucalypts.
Don’t attempt to climb the Sphinx (as I did). I was very determined. But there is actually just no smaller footholds (possibly unless you have professional rock climbing gear) after about half way up. Nevertheless you can walk around its base and peer high up into the sky to see the top boulder of the Sphinx!
Turtle Rock
I am not going to lie. This one definitely takes some imagination. The dense forest and shrubs around this gigantuon make a complete visual of the rock nigh impossible however it’s not far from the Sphinx and easy to continue on to.
Castle Rock
On the way back from the Sphinx & Turtle Rock, take the track out to Castle Rock for yet another granite wonder!
Girraween is certainly a marvel and well worth a hike or two! My favourites were definitely The Pyramid and Balancing Rock.
