Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve

Welcome to the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, an ecological treasure perched on the Blackall Range, approximately 420 meters above sea level. This 55-hectare sanctuary represents one of the last remaining fragments of the vast…

Opened in February 2017, the Rainforest Discovery Centre is a world-class facility designed to enhance your understanding of the reserve’s complex ecosystem through sensory and interactive engagement. As you step inside, you are…

Leaving the Discovery Centre, we transition onto the elevated Glider Boardwalk. This structure is a masterpiece of low-impact engineering, allowing visitors to experience the rainforest from a different vertical perspective…

As we descend to the main walking tracks, we enter the prime habitat of the Red-legged Pademelon. These small, shy wallabies are a common sight within the reserve, often seen foraging in the leaf litter for fallen fruits, leaves,…

Continuing deeper into the reserve, we encounter the 'Great Bean Tree,' or Black Bean (Castanospermum australe). This species is a hallmark of the Australian subtropical rainforest. …

As we navigate the wetter, more shaded sections of the track, it is important to address a common, albeit slightly unnerving, inhabitant of the rainforest: the leech. While often viewed with distaste, leeches are a fascinating…

Our journey through the forest culminates at the Observation Deck, offering what is widely considered the best view of the Glass House Mountains on the Sunshine Coast. These striking volcanic peaks—remnants of volcanic activity…

As we conclude our tour of the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, we return to the idea of this place as a 'living museum.' Every step we have taken, from the interactive displays of the Discovery Centre to the ancient roots of the…