Governor’s Chair Lookout the Best Seat in the Scenic Rim

The day we headed out for this Scenic Rim road trip and stumbled across the Governor’s Chair Lookout, we were actually led there on a little bit of a wild goose chase. We (I actually, but let’s drag the husband in on this too, because, why not?) were silly in taking ChatGPT’s suggestion to visit a waterfall in Main Range National Park. Although there are a few waterfalls in Main Range National Park, Araucaria Falls included, the one it suggested was Queen Mary Falls… which we found out is absolutely not in this area of Main Range National Park. It is out past Warwick, and a trip we will make another weekend.

Never ones to be perturbed by a little bit of poor direction and complete lack of navigation, we had a fabulous day exploring the towns along the way, and Main Range National Park itself.

Getting to Governor’s Chair Lookout

We live on the Scenic Rim border, so getting to Main Range National Park is around one and a half hours non-stop. However, with me in the car it is never non-stop, because I am always wanting to stop to look at quaint little towns or take scenic pictures.

Getting to Governor’s Chair Lookout from Brisbane

To reach the Governor’s Chair Lookout in Main Range National Park from Brisbane, you’ll take a picturesque drive westward along the Ipswich Motorway (M7) and then merge onto the Cunningham Highway (National Route 15) towards Warwick. Continue along the Cunningham Highway until you reach the town of Aratula, where you’ll turn left onto Lake Moogerah Road, also known as the Boonah-Rathdowney Road. Follow the road and the signs to Main Range National Park, entering via Spicer’s Gap Road. From there, follow the signs to the Governor’s Chair Lookout.

Getting to Governor’s Chair Lookout from Gold Coast

For those starting from the Gold Coast, head west on the Pacific Motorway (M1) and merge onto the Beaudesert-Boonah Road (State Route 90). Continue westward until you reach the town of Boonah, where you’ll turn right onto Boonah-Rathdowney Road, also known as Lake Moogerah Road. Follow this road, and the signs will guide you to Main Range National Park, with entry via Spicer’s Gap Road. Once inside the park, follow the signage to the Governor’s Chair Lookout.

Towns on Route to Governor’s Chair Lookout

As we made our way to Main Range National Park, on the way to the elusive waterfall, we passed by the two towns mentioned above. Aratula and Boonah.

Aratula

Aratula is a charming town, surrounded by picturesque countryside, friendly atmosphere, and is a gateway to the Scenic Rim region. We spotted a cute little tavern on our way that morning, and stopped in to have lunch on our way back.

The Scenic Rim Tavern Aratula didn’t have a lot of vegan friendly options, but with the removal of cheese on their vegetarian pizza, plus a side of fries, I was in business. There was a function going on in the tavern while we were there, and it felt like the whole town was attending for this celebration that featured pink balloons all over the place. The atmosphere is lovely, and the casual service made us feel at ease. We would recommend the place to stop in for a drink, a game of pool, a meal, or even a place to stay.

Boonah

Boonah is another delightful country town situated in the heart of the Scenic Rim. One of the reasons we’ve visited in the past, is for the Boonah Country Markets, which are typically held on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, and have a delightful variety of stalls that feature the region’s finest produce, crafts, plants (my weakness) and more.

Spicer’s Gap Section Main Range National Park

The Spicer’s Gap Section of Main Range National Park is home to the Governor’s Chair Lookout. It is also a campground, a base for hiking and has some historical significance too. We didn’t know most of that until we arrived – and as we drove in to the very dusty park, we stopped to take a look around.

Pioneer Graves

We stumbled across the Pioneer Graves as soon as we starting meandering around the Main Range National Park entrance. We discovered that it is the resting place for the area’s early pioneers and settlers, who were vital in shaping the Scenic Rim region.

Picnic Facilities & Toilet

The park also provides picnic facilities, making it a great spot for relaxing whilst being surrounded by stunning views. There is also a bathroom, which was a handy before we continued on to the waterfall lookout.

Governor’s Chair Lookout

The lookout was very easily accessed from a carpark nearby, and the walk was mere metres away. The panorama took our breath away, it is truly stunning. Pictures don’t do it justice.

The name “Governor’s Chair” is believed to have been given in honor of Governor George Gipps, who served as the Governor of New South Wales from 1838 to 1846. There are a few warnings about staying away from the edge, and as someone who is quite scared of heights, you don’t need to tell me twice.

Bush Walking at Main Range National Park

We spent a while soaking it all in before we ventured for a walk into the bush.

There are loads of beautiful grass trees, also known as blackboys or yucca palms. These iconic Australian plants are characterized by their tall, slender trunks and tufts of long, slender leaves. In open areas, wildflowers and grasses add bursts of colour, as do the yellow wattles. Huge eucalyptus trees dwarfed by tall husband, but alas, no matter how far we walked – we were never going to find the non-existent waterfall.

Spicers Gap Road Heritage Trail

On the way out of the park, we stopped at the Spicers Gap Road conservation area.

Spicers Gap Road Heritage Trail is a historical gem hidden within the Main Range National Park. It offers a chance to delve into the past and explore the remnants of an old road that was once a vital transportation route in the area. We wandered part of the trail, but after the amazing views we had experienced at the Governor’s Chair Lookout, the dusty trail left a little to be desired.

However, the heritage trail is lined with informative signs that provided us some insight into the road’s history, its construction, and its significance in connecting the early settlements of Queensland. Had we done this walk first, we likely would have finished the whole trail, but we were spoilt with the Governor’s Chair Lookout as a highlight of the day trip.

TL;DR

Our Scenic Rim road trip, initially aimed at finding a waterfall in Main Range National Park, led us on a delightful adventure. We explored charming towns like Aratula and Boonah, stumbled upon Governor’s Chair Lookout with its breathtaking views, and learned about the historical Pioneer Graves. While our waterfall quest didn’t pan out, our unexpected discoveries made it a memorable journey.