Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve comprises 55 hectares of subtropical rainforest overlooking the Glass House Mountains landscape. A remnant of the rainforests that once covered the Blackall Range, the reserve is a living museum of diverse plant and animal life which will delight with its tranquility and beauty.
Visitors of all ages will enjoy exploring the multi-sensory, interactive educational displays
Visiting as a school group? Visiting as a tour group? click here .
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Conspicuous ground-dweller Noisy pitta
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Endangered beauty Richmond birdwing butterfly
Bugs in the system
Invertebrates
An abundance of invertebrates inhabit the undergrowth in our forest: ants, butterflies, wasps, bees, spiders, centipedes and even crustaceans. Invertebrates are thought to make up 97% of all animals on earth. They are crucial workers in the ecosystem as pollinators, garbage collectors and food sources. Many species remain to be identified, here we have profiled a few known to live in the reserve.
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Vulnerable colour-changer Cascade tree frog
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Have you seen this species? Purple shelf fungi
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A wallaby with status Red-legged Pademelon
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Geological history
Learn about the ancient and changing landscape and how the Glass House Mountains were formed
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European history
Learn about early settlement, timber extraction and the families and individuals who protected the forest for future generations
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Traditional Owners
Learn more about Jinibara people - their history, culture and future
Calling all citizen scientists, join a seasonal survey of the pademelons in the reserve. Join a team of volunteers to help survey the red-legged pademelons in Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve. Our team conducts regular seasonal surveys in the reserve to monitor pademelon numbers and behaviour. Free event. Registrations essential. Limited numbers.
Open daily 7 - 30 October 9am-4pm with the exception of these times: 1-4pm Saturday the 8th of October and from 2-4pm Sunday the 30th of October. The Holmes Art Prize—unique in Australia—attracts Australia’s best wildlife artists, many boasting international acclaim. Bringing together 35 artists of this caliber is a real coup for our region.
