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 tranquillity and beauty.
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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
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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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
Love to look at forest life close up but can’t get things focused? Join Kerry to learn some tips and techniques so you can take beautiful macro images of insects. Kerry is the coordinator of the insect photography enthusiast group, Brisbane Bug Snappers. She has been enjoying macro photography since she overcame her phobia of spiders, about 12 years ago. Her favorite macro subjects include weevils and jumping spiders. You don’t need a fancy camera, just bring what you usually use (phone or camera).
Discover the curious life of stingless native bees for the backyard with bee enthusiasts from the Native Stingless Bee Rescue Group. The group will be sharing their secrets on everything you need to know about keeping native bees. This is a practical session on how to care for a hive, how to split and transfer hives, lifecycle of native stingless bees and use of bees for pollinating your garden. The session will provide you with an introduction and insight into how you can become a stingless-bee keeper. Cost $15/person.
