Mount Gower Summit Track – Hike to the Roof of Lord Howe Island

Quick Overview

Mount Gower is a 14km return, Grade 5 hike located on Lord Howe Island, NSW. The hike takes around 8–10 hours to complete and must be undertaken with a licensed guide.

The hike is quite expensive at $200 per person (+ bus transport is an extra $20 cash, payable on pickup).

There are only two guiding companies on the island: Lord Howe Environmental Tours and Sea to Summit Expeditions

Mount Gower Summit Hike Facts

Distance: 14km return
Duration: 8-10 hours
Elevation Gain: ~875m
Nearest Town: Lord Howe Island Settlement

There’s always time for a bit of trunksitting

About the Mount Gower Summit Hike

Rising dramatically from the southern end of Lord Howe Island, Mount Gower is widely considered one of the best day hikes in Australia, and for good reason! This isn’t an ordinary walk – it’s a full-day adventure combining coastal traverses, steep rainforest climbs, and rope-assisted scrambling. 

The highlights are nothing short of spectacular: panoramic views over the island’s turquoise lagoon and coral reef, the chance to spot the endemic woodhen roaming freely, and the rare opportunity to stand atop a gnarled, mossy cloud forest. On a clear day, you may even catch sight of Balls Pyramid, rising on the horizon! 

The remarkable Balls Pyramid

And the best part? You’ll be standing on top of one of the most remote and spectacular islands in the world!

Mount Gower History

The history of Mount Gower is deeply tied to the geological origins of Lord Howe Island, which formed from volcanic activity around 7 million years ago. Mount Gower and nearby Mount Lidgbird are the eroded remnants of this ancient shield volcano.

Mt Lidgbird is the other part of an ancient shield volcano’s core

Lord Howe Island itself is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, recognised for its unique biodiversity and high number of endemic species. The mountain’s summit plateau hosts rare plant species and habitats found nowhere else on Earth.

Access to Mount Gower is carefully managed to protect this fragile environment, which is why hikers are required to go with a licensed guide.

How to Get to Mount Gower

By Air

Lord Howe Island is located approximately 600km east of mainland Australia. The only way to reach it is by plane with flights departing from Sydney and Brisbane. There’s no passenger ferry service from the Australian mainland.

On the Island

Once on Lord Howe Island, the trail begins near the southern end of the main settlement area. As the hike is guided, your operator will organise the meeting point and transport to the beginning of the hike by a mini bus. 

The island is largely car-free, except for accommodation owners, but you can rent a bike for $10 per day and easily get everywhere. Although the ride to the trail is very hilly.

Mt Gower calls you from every corner of the island

Where to Stay on Lord Howe Island & How to Get Around

Most accommodation options are located in the central part of the island, with only a very few budget-friendly options available, alongside more luxurious stays spread around the sides of the island, all within walking or cycling distance. We stayed at the Broken Banyan budget-friendly apartment very basic but it had everything we needed!

Booking well in advance is essential, as Lord Howe Island strictly limits its visitor capacity to 400 people at any one time. This is what makes this place so special!

Read more: Visiting Lord Howe Island on the Cheap (Yep, It’s Possible!)

Skill Level

Advanced

This hike is physically demanding and includes steep ascents, exposed sections, rope-assisted climbs, and uneven terrain. A good level of fitness, balance, and confidence with heights is essential.

Key Safety Considerations:

• Mandatory to hike with a licensed guide
• Narrow cliffside sections with exposure
• Slippery surfaces, especially after rain
• Rapid weather changes and cloud cover
• No mobile reception

Essential Gear for Mount Gower

• 3-4L of water
• High-energy snacks and lunch
• Hiking boots with excellent grip
• Lightweight rain jacket
• Comfortable activewear
• Small backpack
• Camera
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Helmet (provided by guides)

What It’s Like to Hike Mount Gower

Hiking the Mount Gower summit was one of the most physically demanding and rewarding hikes I’ve done in Australia.

This isn’t your average bushwalk where you settle into a steady rhythm and cruise to the top. The trail constantly changes, throwing everything at you: muddy rainforest tracks, steep rope-assisted climbs, narrow cliffside traverses, and exposed rock scrambles that get your heart racing in the best way possible.

One minute I was walking beneath towering palms in dense jungle, surrounded by thick moss and tangled roots, and the next I was gripping fixed ropes high above the ocean with the glowing turquoise lagoon far below me. The variety of terrain is what makes this hike feel so wild and unforgettable. It genuinely feels like a full-body adventure from start to finish.

Rooty, rainforest beginnings

The famous Lower Road traverse beneath Mount Lidgbird was one of the most adrenaline-inducing sections for me. The track narrows dramatically in places, with steep drop-offs beside you, and it’s impossible not to stop and stare out at the ocean crashing against the cliffs below.

Later in the hike, the climb through Erskine Valley became seriously challenging, with long steep sections where I had to pull myself upward using ropes, roots, and rocks. By this point, I could really feel the distance and elevation in my legs and arms.

Mount Lidgbird can also be climbed with ropes, but it makes Mt Gower look easy!

One of my favourite moments of the entire hike was reaching the viewpoint known as the ‘Get Up Place’, a name that makes complete sense once you arrive! After another steep scramble, the landscape suddenly opens up into exposed terrain with one of the most incredible views on the island.

From there, we could see the turquoise lagoon glowing behind Mount Lidgbird. But the best part for me was spotting Balls Pyramid in the distance – the world’s tallest volcanic sea stack, rising dramatically 562m out of the Tasman Sea. Just… woah!

Standing there surrounded by 360º ocean views felt surreal. Between the jagged volcanic peaks, the lush green cliffs, the turquoise lagoon, and the endless open water in every direction, it honestly felt like stepping into a scene from Jurassic Park.

The descent follows the same trail back down, and I actually found this part tougher in some ways. After hours of climbing and scrambling, my legs were completely cooked, and my arms were burning from constantly hauling myself up ropes throughout the day.

At around 14km with relentless elevation, this is a hike that demands a solid level of fitness and stamina, but the reward is absolutely worth it. If you’re looking for an adventure that pushes you physically while delivering some of the most spectacular scenery in Australia, the Mount Gower hike is exactly that kind of experience!

Tips for Hiking Mount Gower

• Book your guide well in advance, spots are limited and tours don’t run every day!
• Check weather conditions before you leave, the summit is often cloud-covered
• Bring more water than you think you’ll need
• Prepare for exposure and steep, technical terrain
• Take your time on rope-assisted sections, there’s no rush
• Respect the environment, this is a protected World Heritage site
• There are three other easier hikes on the island that don’t require a guide!

Read more: Lord Howe Island’s Top 8 Adventures

The Lower Road Cliff Traverse shows the steepness of the terrain