A rescue helicopter brought six teenagers to safety on Monday morning after they spent the night stranded on the summit of Mount Barney in the Gold Coast's Scenic Rim. The six males, aged between 18 and 19, were not injured but remained on the summit overnight while maintaining regular contact with Queensland Police before being airlifted out.
The operation came barely 24 hours after a separate and far more serious incident further north. An 18-year-old Brisbane woman died at Mount Beerwah in the Glasshouse Mountains on Sunday, with her 18-year-old male climbing companion airlifted to Sunshine Coast University Hospital with life-threatening injuries after they fell between 50 and 100 metres.
The double incidents highlight the risks these mountains present, particularly when conditions deteriorate. Mount Beerwah has been closed to the public since 9 March due to high rainfall, with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service warning that the risk of rockfall above the summit route is much higher after heavy rain. The closure was expected to be reassessed, with authorities indicating the mountain may reopen once safety conditions permit.
The two locations, while both popular with hikers and climbers, present distinct challenges. Mount Barney, the second highest peak in south east Queensland, has no easy ascent route, and authorities stress that preparation is critical to a safe visit, with a safety video available to help visitors avoid being caught out overnight or requiring rescue. Mount Beerwah, part of the Glasshouse Mountains range, features dramatic cliff faces that make it particularly treacherous in wet conditions.
Authorities have made no final determination on the Mount Beerwah fatality pending coroner investigation, but the incident underscores broader safety concerns at popular climbing destinations across the region. Both mountains draw significant visitor numbers, particularly during favourable weather seasons, and incidents of this kind raise questions about risk communication and access management.