Mount Bartle Frere

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Mount Bartle Frere is the highest mountain in Queensland at an elevation of 1622 metres. The mountain is named after Sir Henry Bartle Frere, a British colonial administrator. It is located 70 km south of Cairns next to the town of Babinda, on the edge of the Atherton Tablelands. Its immediate neighbour Mount Bellenden Ker is the second highest at 1593 metres. The climb up to the peak is quite treacherous and many tourists have been lost. The main reason for this is the unpredictable weather and occasionally obscure track markers. Nonetheless an experienced climber should have no problem summitting after an early start from the Josephine Falls car park. An easier alternative is to approach from the western side via Topaz. From this starting point (at an altitude of 700 m), it's relatively easy to complete the climb and descent in a day. It is a favourite with local bushwalking clubs and is best attempted in the dry winter months, from June to October. Walking during the wet season (December to April) brings with it the risks of torrential tropical downpours, poor visibility and leeches.

Mount Bartle Frere is in the wilderness of the Bellenden Ker Range and the watershed of Russell River.

Rain can reach up to ten metres annually. The foothill to summit is covered by tropical rainforest and the climb to the summit is 7.5 kilometres long and can be quite steep in places with rock scrambling being required. The summit of Mt Bartle Frere (when not covered in cloud) offers the chance to view both the coastal lowlands and the Atherton Tablelands. Sudden weather changes have been known to occur in the area.