How long is the Mount Mitchell Track?

Around 9.68km return, closely matching the official 10.2km return figure for the climb from The Crest to Mount Mitchell's twin peaks.

Is the Mount Mitchell Track hard?

Graded hard, and our terrain data backs it up — 50% of the track is steep or very steep, with the hardest single climb (75m in under 300m) landing around the 4.5km mark as you approach the twin peaks.

What wildlife might you see on the Mount Mitchell Track?

Main Range National Park protects some genuinely rare species, including the critically endangered Coxen's fig-parrot and the endangered eastern bristlebird — real sightings of either are uncommon, but their documented presence makes this forest ecologically significant.

Mount Mitchell Track: Complete Guide (Main Range National Park)

Mount Mitchell Track climbs from The Crest to the twin East and West Peaks of Mount Mitchell — a genuine test of fitness through Main Range National Park’s rare rainforest habitat.

Quick stats

Distance: 9.68 km return
Elevation gain: 799 m
Route type: Out and back
Grade: Hard
Location: Main Range National Park, Scenic Rim, QLD

How hard is it, really?

Our terrain data shows this track genuinely earns its hard grade — 50% of the track is steep or very steep, with the hardest single climb a 75m gain in under 300m landing around the 4.5km mark as you close in on the twin peaks. Combined with nearly 800m of total elevation gain, this is a sustained full-day effort rather than a quick summit push.

What the track is actually like

Climbing from The Crest to Mount Mitchell’s distinctive twin East and West Peaks, this track passes through cool mountain rainforest that shelters some of South East Queensland’s most significant threatened species. The twin-peak structure gives the walk a genuine sense of achievement — reaching one summit only to see the second waiting nearby.

Wildlife to watch for

Main Range National Park is home to some genuinely rare species, several critically threatened:

Coxen’s Fig-Parrot — critically endangered (IUCN and EPBC Act), one of Australia’s rarest and most elusive birds, with documented presence in this exact park.
Eastern Bristlebird — endangered (EPBC Act), a ground-dwelling bird rarely seen but ecologically significant.
Black-breasted Buttonquail — vulnerable (IUCN and EPBC Act), another genuinely uncommon species sheltering in this rainforest.
Hastings River Mouse — vulnerable (IUCN), a small, seldom-seen native rodent.
Albert’s Lyrebird — a restricted-range rainforest endemic, not threatened but a genuinely spectacular sight and sound if you catch one displaying.
Silky Oak and Rainforest Spinach — notable cool mountain rainforest plant species found along the track.

Practical tips

Budget for a full day. With 799m of elevation gain over nearly 10km return, this is a genuine sustained climb, not a quick outing.
Pace yourself before the 4.5km mark. That’s where the steepest sustained climbing hits as you approach the twin peaks.
Real sightings of the critically endangered species here are rare — their documented presence reflects the ecological significance of the forest rather than a guarantee you’ll see them.
Carry proper water and supplies. Half the track is steep terrain, genuinely demanding more than the distance alone suggests.

Nearby

See the full South East Queensland hikes list for more Scenic Rim and Main Range walks, or view Mount Mitchell Track on the map for the live route and elevation profile.