TAKE A HIKE: The Department of Environment and Science advise walkers must stop midway up Mount Coolum on weekdays as important upgrades are condcuted at the summit.
TAKE A HIKE: The Department of Environment and Science advise walkers must stop midway up Mount Coolum on weekdays as important upgrades are condcuted at the summit. John McCutcheon
News

Warning for climbers amidst Mount Coolum closure

by
29th Aug 2018 10:12 AM

CLIMBERS up Mount Coolum will have to stop midway for months or hit the track early morning as the summit is upgraded.

The Department of Environment and Science advises works at the peak of the popular track are to reduce visitor impacts to the montane heath vegetation.

The plant community has many rare and threatened species, and only grows on the mountain and a few peaks in the Glass House Mountains.

The top section of the walking track will be closed to the public Monday to Friday 7am-5pm from August 28 to November.

Kirsty Holmes (light pink top), Dee Johnson ((black top) and Ashlea Gierke (bright pink top) reach the top of Mount Coolum.
Climbers will have to restrict their visits to weekends or early mornings if they wish to reach the summit of Mount Coolum. Pictured are Kirsty Holmes (light pink top), Dee Johnson ((black top) and Ashlea Gierke (bright pink top) at the top of Mount Coolum. Warren Lynam

Reader poll

Will the Mount Coolum closure affect you?

This poll ended on 30 August 2018.

Current Results

Yes, I go to the top several times a week.

37%

No, I've never climbed it.

25%

I won't climb it while it's super busy on weekends.

37%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

Public access will only be possible to halfway up the mountain during closures times.

The department advises daily track closures are for visitor safety as power tools and motorised equipment will be used during construction.

Visitors are asked to comply with all track closures and follow any directions from rangers or construction contractors.

IT WAS fortunate to catch up with Matt Shaw from Launceston at Mood Food, the 24-hour Caltex truck stop at Kempton, the other day as we amassed our final copy for Big Rigs.

Matt says things will pick up as restrictions relax

News IT WAS fortunate to catch up with Matt Shaw from Launceston at Mood Food, the 24-hour Caltex truck stop at Kempton, the other day as we amassed our final copy for Big...