WESTMINSTER ST, DRAYTON,
Mount Peel Bushland Park is one of Toowoomba's natural gems, hidden in plain sight just on the southern edge of town. With 2 main summits, 5 lookouts, 6 walking trails and over 7km of mountain bike tracks sprawling across an area of 120+ hectares, you'll have fun exploring this park over and over again. Look for koalas, wallabies and bird-life along the lower tracks, tackle the scramble up the South Summit to enjoy 360° city and country views, or get your family and friends together to take part in Hike to Heal's annual charity scavenger hunt.
About The Name... You may be surprised to learn that Mount Peel was named after a man who never even set foot in Australia. Sir Robert Peel was the British Prime Minister during the 1830-40's, a position that would have garnered him great respect from Toowoomba's farming/landowning classes during this era, when our country was still a part of the British Empire. Robert Peel's popular policing reforms gave English policemen their nickname of 'Bobbies', and his name was also honoured broadly across Australia on street-signs, hotels, parks, rivers, a convict ship and Queensland's Peel Island.
BUSHWALKING GUIDE
Firebreak Network | Kurrajong Walk | Wombat Berry Walk | |
Grade |  moderate | moderate | moderate |
Distance | 4km+ | 590m | 395m |
Trail Type | combined | one way | one way |
Walk TIme | 10min | 15min | 10min |
| Red Ash Walking Circuit (Westbrook Lookout) | Basalt Walking Circuit (South Summit) | Ironbark Walking Circuit (North Summit) |
Grade | moderate |  hard | hard |
Distance | 990m | 880m | 1.1km |
Trail Type | loop | loop | loop |
Walking Time | 30min | 45min | 45min |
Amenities/Suitable For:
Location & Parking:
Mount Peel Bushland Park is accessible from three main trailheads + a foot-access only entry from Anzac Avenue.
The large carpark on the corner of Darling St & Westminster St is best for the Red Ash Walking Circuit/ lower lookouts and bike tracks. This trail begins with a steep hill, and some confusing signage half-way along - not recommended if walking to the main summits.
The small, gravelled parking area at the end of Westminster St is best for the main north/south summits. Observe parking signs and keep the gateway clear.
For the southern firebreak trails, use the carpark off Boundary Street South. The trails on this side of the park are very hilly, with rough/slippery surfaces in places, and largely unsigned. Be sure to take a map, water and sun-protection for your safety and comfort.
Walk 1: Ironbark Walking Circuit/North Summit (45min)
If this is your first visit to Mt Peel, the Ironbark Circuit is a good taste of what the park has to offer - providing a moderate challenge and lots of interesting views without taking all day. Remember to bring water and a hat. (Note: The official walk-time of 40mins is probably an underestimate, based on my personal experience. Allow at least an hour.)
Parking at the cul-de-sac at the end of Westminster St, head towards the right-hand side of the large water tank, and locate the brown signpost that marks the start of the Ironbark Walking Circuit.
Turn right onto the Ironbark circuit and continue along the narrow, dirt track until you reach a sign marked 'The Crossroads'. (It may be useful to collect a stick along the way to knock aside any spiderwebs that cross your path here.)
At The Crossroads signpost, ignore the turn-off to your right, which leads downhill to the Red Ash Walking Circuit. Walk straight ahead to complete the Ironbark Circuit in an anti-clockwise direction (mostly flat, narrow and not very shady), or left for the clockwise option (significantly steeper uphill section, with more shade towards the top). I personally prefer walking anti-clockwise as it provides some nice views en route to the top and more variety if continuing on to the South Summit.
After a final signpost, both routes veer up a short, rocky scramble to the summit - young children may need to use their hands here for balance. (Note: If you aren't comfortable with steep natural steps, take the anti-clockwise option and continue straight ahead at the final signpost. This will bring you to a wide gravel access road that will lead you to the summit.)
After you've enjoyed the views from the picnic tables/benches at the top (some shady spots available), look for the brown signposts at either end of the plateau to guide you down the mountain. If walking anti-clockwise, the signpost appears to be leading you over a cliff-edge, but don't worry - there is actually a hidden rocky descent just over the edge! The natural stairs are stable and easy enough for an adult to simply walk down, though younger children may need to jump/scoot down depending on their confidence level.
If you're ready to head home, follow the signs back to The Crossroads for the quickest route back to your car. If you're keen for an extra challenge, take the anti-clockwise descent and turn right at the signed fork in the trail. This is a continuation of Ironbark Walking Circuit that connects to Wombat Berry Walk and then on to the South Summit.
Note: Don't be put off by the Grade 4 (hard) grading on this trail. Children will love the scrambling sections. It's the grownups who might need to watch their ankles!
Walk 2: Basalt Walking Circuit/South Summit via Wombat Berry Walk (1hr 30min)
The South Summit has the same difficulty rating as the North Summit, but includes a steeper/extended rock scrambling section, and a longer walk from the trailhead. The payoff is wrap-around views from the top of the peak. As with the South Summit, I'd suggest that the official walk-time for this circuit is an underestimate. Factoring in the distance from the Westminster St trailhead to the start of the Basalt circuit, plus the challenging incline, new walkers should allow 1.5-2hrs. Note: There is little-no shade at the peak, so remember to pack a hat, sunscreen & water.
Starting from the Westminster St trailhead, the most direct route to the South Summit is the lower firebreak trail to the left of the water tank near the park entrance. For a more interesting (and shadier) walk, I recommend taking the firebreak trail to the right of the water tank. Ignore the entrance to the Ironbark Walking Circuit and continue until you reach a narrow, dirt trail that crosses the firebreak, which is the start of Wombat Berry Walk (no signpost at the intersection, but there is a sign about the Wombat Berry plant part-way along the trail).
Turn left/downhill onto Wombat Berry Walk - take caution as the trail surface can be slippery here. This track is densely shaded, giving the illusion that you are deep in the bush, not just a stone's throw from town. When the trail spills back out into the open, you will be greeted by a field of tall grasses and wildflowers (butterfly heaven) and Mt Peel's South Summit rising up before you.
Head towards the brown signpost at the base of the peak, and follow the path indicated up the steep, rock-scrambling section of Basalt Walk. Note: Watch out for cactus/tree pear prickles when climbing with your hands.
When you reach the top, stop to enjoy the views in every direction. Basic facilities are provided (a picnic table and bench seat) and there's also a cairn with a compass-style map to help you locate landmarks in the distance.
The descent on the eastern side of the peak is a narrow trail formed with steep natural steps surrounded by tree pears - so watch your step and keep children within arms reach.
After a few zig-zags to the base of the slope, you will come in sight of two brown signposts. Ignore the trail to your right, which leads along a challenging firebreak route towards the Boundary St South trailhead. Instead, follow the trail to your left, which heads uphill via a wide, steep, grassy trail. This connects back to the main gravel firebreak trail, which is your route back to the carpark.
Set out to your right on the firebreak trail to return to the Westminster St trailhead. This easy, flat road is partially sheltered by gum trees that line the path - you might even get lucky enough to spot a koala!
Other Walks
To tackle the most challenging inclines in the park, try Basalt Walk (South Summit) from Boundary Street South trailhead.
There are many routes to choose from, but we took the firebreak trail going straight ahead into bushland from the trailhead.
The track was wide at all points, but included a steep, eroded gravel uphill, followed by an exposed grassy uphill. The next flat, shady section was a welcome relief, and a short time after we passed the cell tower the gravel track became smoother and we came in sight of the South Summit.
After completing the the South Summit, we began our return journey by skirting around the base of the peak (on the eastern side) past a beautiful exposed basalt cliff-face.
The firebreak trail runs parallel to the barbed-wire boundary fence, and completes a few steep up/downhill sections before terminating at a grassy field near the Boundary Street South trailhead.
This track is genuinely Grade 4/Difficult. Many intersections are unmarked, the inclines are challenging, and don't forget that there are no water/toilet facilities available. I would not attempt this route again with my children in tow, but in the cooler months it would make for a beautiful, rugged work-out adventure.
To explore another interesting but less-frequented area at Mt Peel, try combining the lower three lookouts into one circuit.
If you're like me and prefer the variety of a loop circuit, set out from the trailhead at the end of Westminster St and head for The Crossroads signpost near the start of the Ironbark Walking Circuit.
Turn right at The Crossroads and follow the narrow track downhill to observe a natural miracle as the space around you transforms from sparse and dry to shady and fresh. Cross the firebreak trail and follow the signs uphill to Westbrook Lookout at the top of Red Ash Walking Circuit. The views here aren't as impressive as from the main summits, but keep an eye out for little birds in this section (red-browed finches, double-barred finches, red-backed fairywrens) peeping to one-another in the lower bushes, and enjoy the pops of colour as you pass purple groundcovers, native daisies, yellow buttons and ruby saltbush (not to mention the pretty - though invasive - red Peruvian zinnias and chandelier plant succulents).
When you complete the Red Ash Walking Circuit, head left on the firebreak trail and follow it downhill to the next brown signpost. Take the left fork, past a zig-zagging switchback section of the Wakka Wakka mountain bike trail, then turn right to climb the steep uphill toward the final two lookouts. The path here is mostly wide and grassy, with brief side-routes to visit the Drayton and Stephens Lookouts - each with a shady bench seat so you can rest and enjoy the view.
To return to your car, follow the barbed-wire fenceline downhill to the Darling/Westminster St carpark, then complete the final stretch to your car via the road.
Discover More...
Have you been on this bushwalk? Contact me via email or Facebook to share your favourite aspects of the trail, or suggest an update to this page.
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