Visitor information Sundown Listen for scarlet and rose robins, satin bowerbirds and superb lyrebirds National Park (left) in northern parts. High ‘traprock’ country along the A rugged /New South Wales border landscape has been carved by the Severn River and Most of Sundown is numerous creeks into sharp ridges and 600–800m above sea spectacular steep-sided gorges. This level, with peaks rising to Animals landscape contrasts dramatically with more than 1000m. It is More than 130 exposed granite hilltops and open valleys known locally as ‘traprock’ species of birds of nearby and country. the . live at Sundown — some throughout the park and others ‘Traprock’ is a hard, dense rock only in specific habitats. Spotted The wilderness atmosphere of Sundown formed from ancient marine bowerbirds, red-capped robins, spiny- National Park and Sundown Resources sediments modified by heat and cheeked and striped honeyeaters, Reserve (16 000ha in total) is maintained pressure. Intense minor faulting, whitefaces and red-winged parrots by keeping development to a minimum. folding and weathering resulted in live in drier southern areas. Look for layered rocks which formed steep black ducks, wood ducks, herons, Pastoral and mining heritage ridges and gorges dropping to the cormorants and tiny azure kingfishers Sundown was once part of Glenlyon, Severn River. Nundubbermere and Ballandean along the river. stations. These were subdivided into Jibbinbar Mountain in the park’s Wallaroos are common in steep rocky smaller leasehold blocks in the late north-west and deeply-eroded Red country but grey kangaroos prefer 1800s. Although much of Sundown was Rock Gorge are intrusions of granite less sloping habitats. Other cleared for grazing and fine wool into the traprock. Two granite dykes macropods include red-necked, production, this proved uneconomic. run roughly parallel through the area. swamp and pretty-face wallabies. Reminders of the pastoral era including The most noticeable forms Rats Marsupial mice, gliders and possums salt troughs, fences and stockyards can Castle, a local landmark, and can be can also be seen. be seen. traced through the park and under the road near the southern entrance. Mining of mineral deposits — principally Things to do tin, copper and arsenic — occurred Vegetation Line fishing is permitted and people swim and canoe in the larger sporadically at Sundown from the 1870s. Vegetation changes gradually north/ waterholes. Caution: Do not jump or While rich pockets of ore were found and south reflecting differences in climate, dive into waterholes. They can be more than 70 men employed for a short elevation and soil type. Eucalypt shallow and have submerged time, deposits were mainly low grade and forests of stringybark, yellow box, obstructions. the mines were never successful brown box and Tenterfield woollybutt financially. grow on higher northern slopes. Broadwater camping area next to the Woodlands of Caley’s and silver- river has individual sites, fireplaces Old surface diggings are leaved ironbarks, tumbledown gum, and pit toilets. Use firewood and scattered throughout the white box and cypress pine grow in facilities provided to have a hot bush Red Rock area and the south. Throughout the park, shower. remains of mining kurrajongs, red ash and larger wattles activity can be seen grow over understorey of hop bush, Scrub-filled gorges and secluded from the 4WD track. ‘dead finish’ and peach bush. riverside campsites in the remote northern section can be reached on The Sundown Steep-sided gorges shelter vine foot or in a 4WD. Burrow’s Waterhole mines and scrubs in which figs, stinging trees, and Red Rock have pit toilets and treatment plant pittosporums and numerous vines are mown campsites. area is common. Wilga, native willow and contaminated. ooline (a rare and threatened You can bush camp throughout the Public access is species) grow at the southern end of park and river banks make good restricted to the the park but are usually associated campsites. To explore the park safely 4WD track. with drier inland areas. Look for use the Hema 1:50 000 Sundown donkey, waxlip, greenhood, spotted National Park map available from hyacinth and other ground orchids QPWS offices in , flowering in spring. King and and Girraween. cymbidium orchids also occur. Brush-tailed rock-wallabies Camping and walking are best were once common and River red gum, river oak, teatree and between May to September. Nights widespread throughout the bottlebrush grow along the river. district. Competition with can be cold with frosts but are usually goats and predation by foxes followed by warm, clear days. has reduced Sundown’s population to a small group at Summer weather can be humid and the northern end of the park. uncomfortable with temperatures sometimes reaching 40ºC. C a r e f o r o u r p a r k s Care for Sundown Please help protect Sundown’s natural beauty and let others enjoy their visit by: • leaving all plants and animals undisturbed; • removing all your rubbish; • leaving dogs and cats at home; • not using generators, chainsaws or Access and supplies outboard motors; Sundown is 250km south- • being careful with fire; Locality Map west of Brisbane. A small • being careful about hygiene. Where general store at Glenlyon there are no toilets, bury human Dam has the only food and waste well away from creeks and at fuel supplies after leaving least 15cm deep; and the New England Highway. • avoiding contaminated areas around old mines. Conventional vehicles can be driven to Broadwater More information camping area and the For campsite bookings, permits and Severn River at the southern information including weather and end of the park via 75km of river heights contact: bitumen road from Stanthorpe and 4km of good The Ranger gravel road. via Glenlyon Dam Road From Tenterfield, travel north MS312 5km then west along the via STANTHORPE QLD 52km to 4380 Mingoola. Turn right and ph (02) 6737 5235 travel 12km to the park fax (02) 6737 5325 turnoff.

A 14km gravel road leads from Girraween Ballandean to the park’s eastern National Park BP147-6 May 1999 boundary, with rough 4WD tracks via BALLANDEAN © State of Queensland. Environmental Protection leading to campsites along the river QLD 4382 Agency, 1999. (7–20km). Bushwalkers can leave (07) 4684 5157 Common brown Recycled paper saves energy and resources. butterflies Visit us on line at www.env.qld.gov.au vehicles just inside the park. fax (07) 4684 5123