Perched amongst the clouds along the outskirts of Rockhampton, our family has discovered nature at it’s very best – 604 metres above sea level!
With spectacular views of the city and surrounding ranges, hiking trails for all abilities, picnic spots and perhaps Australia’s highest playground, this is a day trip of unforgettable memories.
Before you check out our 5 packing tips below, take a virtual tour!
1. A picnic or bbq
Mount Archer is the perfect spot to relax with a picnic or barbeque. There are plenty of spaces around the mountain to spread out with your family on a rug and enjoy the peace. The Amphitheatre enhances your picnic with an incredible view of Rockhampton. There are barbeque cooking facilities available and tables for those not wanting to hit the ground. Toilets are also located in a central location.
2. A camera and smile
This is an instagrammers paradise! Be sure to pack your camera/phone as there are so many beautiful places throughout Mount Archer to capture the perfect memory. Nurim Circuit Elevated Boardwalk extends 25 metres off the side of Mount Archer and features a 500-metre flat boardwalk which is also wheelchair accessible. Think ‘selfie with the whole of Rockhampton in the background’ and this is your answer! Mount Archer also offers plenty of places to snap a jaw-dropping sunset, so head up at dusk to watch the sun go down.
3. Runners or comfortable shoes
Pump up the peace and tranquility with a hike through nature. Mount Archer offers three walking tracks ranging from easy to difficult. For those with a bit of stamina, check out the Zamia Walk which is a 14km (one way) walk that weaves throughout Mount Archer National Park. Sleipners Lookout is accessed via the Zamia track and is a 2.4km return trip. Bracken Fern Way is a short 1.4km round trip. The weekends generally see local fitness fanatics tackle the mountain either by foot or bike from bottom to top, which is a 5km incline over 500 metres. This trend kicked off the ‘Challenge the Mountain’ event which invites competitors to conquer Rockhampton’s highest peak.
4. A playful attitude
Mount Archer to my four-year-old is like the ‘Everest’ of all playgrounds! Surrounded by picturesque natural bushland, I promise your children will be entertained for hours and they are transported to an enchanted land. Kids of all ages and abilities will love spending some time climbing, swinging, jumping and sliding. It’s been designed to melt into the existing landscape and encourage kids to play freely, in their own way and time. There is an in-ground trampoline, a fast (but safe) slippery slide and plenty of other fun ways to share the universal language of play.
For more exhilarating ‘play’, nestled in the foothills abutting Mount Archer are some of Australia’s premier MTB trails. There are over 25kms of obstacles, challenges and fun for riders of all abilities and fitness levels.
5. Respect for nature and heritage
Be sure to pack some respect for this beautiful part of the world. Mount Archer is bursting with living things – including wildlife, flora, history and heritage. Keep an eye (or ear!) out for the ‘not so quiet’ black cockatoos feeding on the seeds of the she-oak or see if you can spot the rock wallabies curiously exploring their home. The traditional cultures of the Darumbal people can be seen and felt around the mountain, with interpretive signage along Nurim Circuit.
Some other tips to remember when visiting Mount Archer:
– Don’t feed the animals
– Leave pets at home
– Take rubbish with you
Mount Archer is approximately 15km from Rockhampton’s city centre and accessible via a standard vehicle. Access is via Frenchville Road.
