Remember gold prospectors. They once camped right where we are now. This is Camp Mountain Lookout. It is part of the historic Enoggera goldfields.
Camp Mountain takes its name from the mountain itself. Miners in the 1860s called this area their “mountain camp”. The mountain rises 414 metres above sea level.
Before it was Camp Mountain, it was Mount Daniel in the late 1800s. The area has a rich history beyond gold mining. By 1908, banana growing was a major industry in Samford. More bananas were shipped from Samford station to Sydney and Melbourne than from any other Queensland station. Samford station is just down from Camp Mountain. Sadly, a virus wiped out the banana crops in the early 1930s.
Dairy farming and timber were also important. Granite quarrying at Camp Mountain supplied stone for Brisbane City Hall’s foundations.
There was even a Camp Mountain railway station. It operated from 1918 until 1955. The train line to Dayboro passed through here.
Camp Mountain suffered a tragedy in 1947. A crowded picnic train derailed on a sharp curve near the Camp Mountain stations. Sixteen people died. Thirty-eight were injured. It remains Queensland’s worst rail accident.
Today, Camp Mountain is a peaceful rural area. The 2021 census recorded 1,447 residents. The area is part of the City of Moreton Bay. A steep walk rewards you with knockout views.
Camp Mountain Lookout offers two distinct vistas. One lookout faces Samford Valley and the Glass House Mountains. You can even see Moreton Bay. The other lookout shows Brisbane’s skyline.
The lookout is in D’Aguilar National Park. This park protects eucalyptus woodlands and subtropical rainforest. Keep an eye out for local wildlife. Over 240 bird species live in the park. Mammals include echidnas and koalas.
Listen for the Lewin’s honeyeaters. They have a distinctive call. In winter, admire the white tallowwood blooms. They are a treat for flying foxes and lorikeets.
You can access Camp Mountain Lookout by foot, horse, or bicycle. A shared trail starts near the Bathersby lookout platform. It is popular for horseriding and mountain biking.
Please remember that emergency services need constant access. Do not park in front of any access gates.
Take a moment to appreciate the view. Consider the layers of history beneath your feet here at Camp Mountain Lookout. From gold miners to railway tragedies, Camp Mountain has seen it all.