National Parks

Central West Queensland National Parks Contents Welcome to national parks Parks at a glance (facilities and activities)...... 2 Welcome...... 3 Be adventurous! Map of Central West Queensland...... 4 Journey Choose your escape...... 5 off the beaten track over dusty Savour roads or desert dunes into Experience the ...... 6 sunlit plains extended, wildflowers Queensland’s dry, but far from lifeless, heart. Discover a land of boom and bust...... 8 blossoming after rain and the freedom of sleeping out under a blanket of A ...... 10 never-ending stars.

Welford National Park...... 12 Follow Lochern National Park...... 14 the footsteps of superbly adapted arid-zone creatures and long-departed Forest Den National Park...... 15 dinosaurs. Traverse ancient Aboriginal Bladensburg National Park...... 16 trading routes and the tracks of hardy explorers and resilient stockmen. Combo Waterhole Conservation Park...... 18

Lark Quarry Conservation Park...... 19 E ...... 20 B Warracoota Circuit Drive...... 22 Relax Conservation Park...... 23 under a shady gum tree on the banks of a river. Boil a billy, throw in Munga-Thirri National Park...... 24 a line and watch for wildlife taking Travelling tips, packing checklist, Be prepared, Be safe...... 26 refuge from the dry.

Further information...... 28 D

Revel C in the romance and stories of Parks at a this wide brown land and its Capture people. Catch a glimpse of hardships overcome to survive the essence of the real —harsh

glance Toilets (non-flushing) Camping Day-use area Ranger Base Short walks access 2WD Scenic drive essential) (4WD Mounatin biking Kayaking / Canoeing Scenic viewpoint vast distances and unpredictable but fragile, vivid yet subtle, cycles of boom and bust! as dangerous as it is beautiful. Pen a poem, paint a sunset, capture it Bladensburg NP * on camera or simply spin a yarn! (A) Peter Scott © Qld Govt; (B) © Karen Smith; (C) Chris Mitchell © Qld Govt; (D) © Robert Ashdown; Combo Waterhole CP F (E) © Qld Govt; (F) Karen Smith © Qld Govt.

Lark Quarry CP *

Diamantina NP

Elizabeth Springs CP

Munga-Thirri NP () Welcome to some of the most isolated national Lochern NP * parks in Queensland. Climb 30m high sand dunes, explore rocky gorges, spot endangered Forest Den NP * wildlife, travel to the one of the world’s most Idalia NP famous dinosaur trackways. Remember to be

Photo: Maxime Coquard © Qld Govt Coquard Maxime Photo: self-sufficient—supplies and help can often be Welford NP * hundreds of kilometres away.

Note: *2WD to park entry and/or specific campsite only, and only during dry weather. 4WD recommended. Gary Jorgensen, Senior Ranger On behalf of rangers living and working in the west. Photo: Diamantina National Park © Peter Scott

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Photo: © John Augusteyn © Shane Hume Park. National Welford at sunset the Savouring (Below): © Karen Smith Quarry. Lark at circuit Spinifex Queensland’s largest national parks in your itinerary. your in parks national largest Queensland’s of some to avisit include to sure Be explored! be to yet horizons vast Embrace memory. your in etched forever be will land timeless this of spirit and vividness the boots, your into seeps that dust the Like rain. after spinifex amid spindly of colours kaleidoscope in a blossoming wildflowers and earth red rich against contrasting skies blue wide Savour seen. budgies wild of flocks or emus ‘roos, of number the or days in is measured travelled distance where sunset, the into west Head escape your Choose colours and contours of the the of contours and colours vivid the Enjoying (Above): • • weeks) (one two to expeditions 4WD Extended • • • • aweek) to days (several Taste of the Outback journeys • • • • day) one to (half town Outback trips anShort from

any itinerary) any to week one least (adds at Desert) (Simpson Park National Munga-Thirri Springs) Diamantina—Elizabeth Quarry— Waterhole—Lark Combo (Bladensburg— Diamantina Dusty Park National Diamantina Park National Den Forest acombination) or one just —Lochern; Cooper Catchment (Idalia—Welford Waterhole) Quarry—Combo —Lark (Bladensburg Drovers and Dinosaurs Park) National Munga-Thirri to way (on the Birdsville of west Red Big Kynuna near Waterhole Combo trackways dinosaur Quarry Lark Drive) Scrammy take or Winton from Gum River the of Route The (follow Park National Bladensburg

accessed from Windorah. accessed from be also can Park National Diamantina Birdsville. to downstream or Bedourie; and Boulia to west head or loop), 1,000km (a minimum Middleton via Winton to back and Springs Elizabeth past home return country, sandhill exploring and waterholes by relaxing days afew spending After Hotel. Mayne the and Station Cork Old of remains at past the relive to and country (mesa) plateau steep-sided across views scenic for stopping roads, rough dusty, along Park National Diamantina to downstream river the follow challenge, 4WD atrue for well-prepared If Winton. of south Quarry Lark or Park National Bladensburg at creeks feeder seasonal or Kynuna) near highway the off (just Waterhole Combo visit you when source its near system river mighty this of reaches upper Touch the Diamantina Dusty Longreach. and Barcaldine Blackall, at attractions tourism heritage major at history pastoral Outback’s the about learn and Emmet) Isisford, Jundah, (Windorah, sites heritage and museums local at time in back Step wells. Aboriginal see also can you Jundah where and Stonehenge between and Yaraka, near views scenic for Stop Windorah. at Creek Cooper beside Relax and Isisford. Longreach Stonehenge, Jundah, of towns at drives nature and walks leisurely on and Welford, and Lochern at rivers Barcoo or Thomson the of waterholes Discover parks. national Lochern or Welford Idalia, to roads unsealed and byways minor along Longreach or Windorah Blackall, from starting 500km) (minimum loop aweek-long make or direct Drive catchment Cooper mentioned.) parks all visit you if 600km (Minimum recommended. are but essential, not are vehicles 4WD centre. information visitor the from available brochures drive self-guided using Winton around and in sites heritage local other visiting trips, day of series Take a Quarry. Lark and Bladensburg of ranges sandstone eroded the into roads unsealed rough on south or Waterhole, Combo legendary to plains grass Mitchell the across highway the along north-west venturing Park, National Bladensburg or Winton at base overnight your from out Radiate and drovers Dinosaurs Suggested itineries 5 6 closed from 1 December to 15 March. 1December from closed is Desert) (Simpson Park National Thirri Munga- access. weather all has park No upstream. catchments in rain after weeks suddenly—even occur can Flooding rain. of amount asmall even after impassable and unsealed are roads outback Many year. the of time any at fall can Rain flooding. and events rainfall of risk the 45°C over and of temperatures daytime summer extreme avoid to Queensland West Central visit to time best the are September) to (April months cooler The timeBest to go thewide landscape as and alifetime. capture lasting memories even your be stuck in teeth—or some mud! as between Wear agrin grit You’llplaces in Australia. inface, flies dust yourin your get perhaps eyes, In Central WestQueensland you’ll visit and some of the driest hottest Outback the Experience Nomadic budgerigars are regularly onthemove searching for grass seeds. Fiona Leverington © QldGovt eucalypts. the among or scrub mulga in birds woodland spotting Enjoy right): (Above © Tourism &Events Qld beaten track. the off heading Experience

more at outbackqueensland.com.au at more out Find experience. the savour and ayarn spin skill, anew try characters, local Meet in. join to you for waiting and well and is alive spirit Outback the museum— aworld-famous or festival annual an prowess; rural or livestock of ashowcase yabbies; or camels horses, for races at Whether journey. your to attractions tourist or events fun-loving ’s the of one Add Add local flavour advice. helpful and hospitality country warm, receive you’ll and basics the have towns small most Even night. the stay or pub the at ameal have sights, local see food, and fuel for in Stop towns. local past drive just don’t but destination, your be might parks national Remote Stop along the way Visit outbackqueensland.com.au Visit overnight. or aday just guides—for experienced with tours join can you equipment, the supply to or driving planning, the do to else someone prefer you If wonder. with you fill history let or solitude find nature, Seek desert. the into or ariver down scrub, mulga the into town outback an from tour epic own your Plan withgo alocal or yourself Guide

Photo: Alicia Whittington © Qld Govt find footprints left left footprints find million years ago. years million from a higher vantage point at at point vantage ahigher from by dinosaurs 100 dinosaurs by jump-ups, you’ll you’ll jump-ups, Den, Diamantina and Combo Combo and Diamantina Den, Waterhole or look over them them over look or Waterhole Lark Quarry’s Quarry’s Lark Nestled amid amid Nestled spinifex-clad spinifex-clad grasslands. Walk through through Walk grasslands. Many parks have Mitchell Mitchell have parks Many them at Lochern, Forest Forest Lochern, at them Bladensburg. Diamantina, Lochern and and Lochern Diamantina, honeyeaters stay within within stay honeyeaters Welford national parks. national Welford lined river channels channels river lined and waterholes of of waterholes and its open mulga on red red on mulga open its in Munga-Thirri, while while Munga-Thirri, in Idalia’s rocky ranges. Idalia’s rocky reach of the tree- the of reach the Simpson Desert Desert Simpson the Park’s spinifex-clad spinifex-clad Park’s Waterbirds and and Waterbirds the dense mulga of of mulga dense the sand dunes hint of of hint dunes sand soil contrasts with with contrasts soil Welford National country Channel National Park Park National dominates at at dominates significance. Diamantina Diamantina of national national of which has has which extensive extensive wetlands wetlands Peter Lik ©Tourism and Events Qld © QldGovt; ©QldGovt; © JohnAugusteyn; ©QldGovt; (Topbottom): to Best parks to... parks Best Combo Waterhole and Forest Den. Forest and Waterhole Combo Idalia, Welford, Diamantina, at holes watering to flock birds Watch Bladensburg. and list your off and wallabies kangaroos Tick (Diamantina). Gates Diamantina mighty the overlooking or Waterhole), (Combo tree acoolabah under Quarry), (Lark walked dinosaurs where scene apicture-perfect Snap Munga-Thirri. or Diamantina Welford, at dune sand adesert of top the from or Bladensburg, or Diamantina at plains open across Welford, and Idalia at mulga of sunset rays last the of magic the Capture Quarry. Lark dinosaurs— Discover and Diamantina. Waterhole Combo Bladensburg, Lochern, Welford, Idalia, past— the Relive and Lochern. Welford Diamantina, Idalia, roads— bush bike on Mountain and Diamantina. Bladensburg Lochern, Welford, Idalia, Take drive— ascenic Diamantina. and Bladensburg Lochern, Welford, awaterhole— on paddle aquiet take or aline, in Throw Bladensburg. and Lochern Welford, Diamantina, awaterhole— by Camp Waterhole. Combo and Quarry Lark Welford, Idalia, tracks— marked on Walk Encounter wildlife! at Idalia, Welford, Lochern Lochern Welford, Idalia, at from a cliff overlooking overlooking acliff from

7 8 © Robert Ashdown trees. Mulga right): (Far Rosemary Millward ©QldGovt Gorge. Scrammy (Right): © RobMurphy and reserves of today. of reserves and parks the and holdings pastoral towns, the establish to adapted others but survived, barely some died, Many fortunes. their sought pastoralists and miners Explorers, today. alive still are heritage and traditions Aboriginal and remain connections and stories Artefacts, places. unlikely in food finding and rivers along trading lands, semi-arid and arid these of bounty secret the on thrived people Aboriginal River. and Diamantina Creek watercourses—Cooper variable most world’s the of cycles flood unpredictable on depend all and plants Humans, Life in the dry adapted plant,an anomaly in the landscape of times or relics long gone. thrilledBe by discoveringwildlife, camouflaged superbly a perfectly There’s much more happening in the Outback thanglance. evident at first Discover aland of boom and bust Tiny thorny devils inMunga-Thirri wear fearsome camouflage. country. channel flat over out flood Rivers (Below): the passage of time. of passage the by exposed now to dinosaurs, shellfish from fossils encasing landscape, the of base the form 65–140 ago of years million lakebeds and floors Sea water. of, starved by, then shaped alternately aland of tell gullies deep and escarpments Craggy time by worn Landscapes when dry. when deeply crack and moist when expand that soils clay dark in anchor can grasses trees, Unlike industry. grazing region’s the support grass, Mitchell native dominant the for named grasslands, Natural downs grass Mitchell environments Arid the parching heat. parching the in evaporate then watercourses flood that deluges massive but short in fall that rains infrequent to adapted are dunefields vast and plains sand woodlands, Coolabah wide. kilometres of tens floodplains and wetlands waterholes, creating channels, braided into land sloping gently across disperse rivers inland Mighty country Channel climate. adry in survival allowing root, tap deep its to rain directs below) (pictured tree mulga Each region. the of east the in country higher moister, slightly dominate trees mulga woodlands, eucalypt-acacia and grasslands with interspersed or stands, pure almost in Growing lands Mulga

Photo: © Robert Ashdown after floods. after opportunistically breed or waterholes at refuge seek Waterbirds creeklines. along honeyeaters and mulga the in babblers parrots, colourful and prey of birds soaring Admire inland. dry the in birds of numbers and variety the by surprised Be birds Brilliant night. at or afternoon late the in watch Keep aburrow. down or crevices and cracks soil in hide or spot, a shady in rest day the of heat the In mammals Memorable outside these catchments. these outside anywhere found not are yellow-belly basin Eyre Lake unique the and Lochern) (at catfish Creek Cooper like the Many, region. the in found are fish adozen than More is life. there is water there Where Fantastic fish, frogs andturtles snakes. and geckos skinks, dragons, lizards, adapted superbly of range adiverse to home are lands Arid been. have they where tracks see or is warm it when reptiles Encounter reptiles Resilient © Shane Hume Lochern. at seen be can dragons netted Central © JohnAugusteyn meal. next their for lookout the on always are prey of birds mid-air, in hang to seem that kites and falcons streamlined swift, to wings, upswept on high soaring (left) eagles wedge-tailed huge From © Shane Hume seeds. of adiet favour parrots mulga Colourful © Shane Hume habitats. of arange in night at roads across out stretch Black-headed pythons Robert Ashdown ©QldGovt again. rains it until waiting hidden away widespread, are frogs holding water and (pictured) frogs burrowing left): Ornate Ornate left): top from (Clockwise at dusk or dawn. or dusk at driving avoid and limit, speed the below or at travelling by collision of chance your Minimise wildlife. with road the share Vehicles it! hit don’t Watch wildlife, What wildlife where? and other bugs. other and cockroaches of search in gracefully bounding atiny spy might you country sand scrubby In Diamantina. at rarely seen kowaris and bilbies endangered the unlike widespread; are tailed fat- and dunnarts stripe-faced mammals, ground-dwelling the Of Den. Forest and Idalia at seen be can bats insect-eating and gliders Welford; and Bladensburg Lochern, Idalia, at possums and echidnas Spot beds. creek along live wallabies swamp Idalia, at and vegetation, thicker inhabit wallabies Black-striped ranges. of slopes the prefer wallaroos common while plains open graze kangaroos grey and red Both mammals Discover feet. their cool to turn in legs their waving margins, river and woodlands in live dragons Gilbert’s Bladensburg. at night at hunt geckos spiny-tailed and Quarry Lark at day by found are dragons Ring-tailed Diamantina. and Lochern Idalia, Bladensburg, at monitors yellow-spotted See and snakes lizards Spot waterbirds. watching for great are Lochern at Lagoon Broadwater and Welford at Waterhole Boomerang Diamantina, at Constance Lake and Gorge Hunters Bladensburg. at grasslands spinifex the in and Creek Surprise at and Welford, Waterhole, Combo Den, Forest Idalia, at waterholes and creeks along birds Spot birdwatching Go 9 Places to go Be up early to see the first Old Idalia rays of the sun creeping (Allow 30 minutes to explore). across the slopes and Grade: easy. plains; or end the day with Wander through remains of a musterers’ a stunning sunset walk hut. Pass a wagon and an old ship’s tank (remember to take a torch). where a natural spring supplied stock water. Ranger Peter Wave Rock walk 1.2km return (1–2hr). Grade: moderate. Walk from Old Idalia to a wave-shaped cliff where wind, sun and time are nature’s

Rugged ranges provide panoramic views. © Qld Govt Fiona Leverington Photo: carving tool and sunset is the paintbrush.

Stake stockyards Idalia National Park Visit innovative stockyards constructed of saplings and twisted wire between 1920s Emerge from thick mulga scrub to lofty escarpments and rocky gorges and 1950s that held up to 300 cattle during muster. Must dos where elusive yellow-footed rock-wallabies hide and views surprise. • Tick six species of kangaroos and Be captivated by colourful sunsets over distant plains and explore Junction Hole wallabies off your ‘must see’ list. heritage sites for an insight into the hardships faced by those living Watch for birds and kangaroos at this • Gaze from craggy escarpments roadside waterhole. over mulga-covered ridges to here in years gone by. distant plains beyond. Tree lines Rainbow Gorge walk mark waterways that stretch from 200m return (30min). Mulga scrub covers much of 144,000ha Wildlife spotting rocks to river channels. Grade: easy. Idalia, and mature mulga has good leaf Spot yellow-footed rock-wallabies at • Imagine stories behind the rusty Admire white, red and yellow-tinted litter cover and fallen logs that make Emmett Pocket lookout and Bullock Places to camp iron and splintered bush timber sandstone 14km north of the Old Idalia of old stockyards, huts and ideal fauna habitat. Dawson gums and Gorge. Discover red and grey kangaroos, Monks Tank turn-off. pastoral-era relics at Old Idalia. mountain yapunyah trees break the in open areas, but on slopes and in the • Camp hidden in thick mulga monotonous mulga green on upper forest keep a lookout for wallaroos, Murphys Rockhole scrub near Monks Tank and slopes; while river red gums and poplar swamp wallabies and black-striped Peaceful bush camp hidden in mulga (Top): Wave Rock See animals watering at a gorge shaded by awaken to the morning chorus of (Above left): Stake fenceline box grow on sandy flats beside the usually wallabies typical of inland areas. woodlands 33km from park entrance. John Augusteyn © Qld Govt river red gums. Look for koalas in eucalypt outback birds. dry . (Above): Native fuschia trees near water—you won’t find them Not suitable for large caravans. © Shane Hume Watch at night for (tiny mammals) much further inland. Getting there searching for cockroaches and bugs. Things to do Bullock Gorge walk Head west from Blackall along the See Hall’s babbler, colourful Australian Isisford Road for 44km, then turn Driving and mountain biking 2.7km return (1–2hr). ring-necks, crested bellbirds and To Blackall left onto Blackall-Emmet Road. After Most driving tracks are suitable for keen Grade: easy. 25km turn left again at the Benlidi plum-headed finches. Keep an eye out Bullock Gorge mountain bikers experienced in arid and Rock markers show the way through bendee siding and follow the signposted at the camping area for white-plumed 7 shrubland along a ridge top. Take care here remote terrain. It’s 37km from the park road for another 44km to the Idalia honeyeaters and eastern yellow robins as there are steep gorges on either side. National Park information shelter. entrance to Emmet Pocket lookout, with at the far western limit of their known A 4WD is needed. several side branches and walks along habitat. 8 9 5.7km Emmet Pocket lookout Fuel and supplies are available from the way. Emmet Pocket Gaze from the escarpment over the park’s 2.9km northern end. If quiet you might spy Blackall (113km), Yaraka (139km) 6 Murphys and Isisford (120km). 3.8km 3.7km Rockhole yellow-footed rock-wallabies hiding among the rocks below. 5 Rainbow Gorge 9.4km Monks Tank Old Emmet Pocket walk 4.4km return (2–3hr). Did you know? Idalia Wave 1 Rock Grade: difficult. Yellow-footed rock-wallabies Petrogale 4 Junction Hole A steep track leads into the gorge where xanthopus celeris are well-camouflaged 8.8 2 km plains lie before you like a map. in the safety of the rocky outcrops, 3 Stake 2.1km leaving only to drink and graze at the stockyards Take drinking water. base of cliffs. They are vulnerable to 7.9km extinction and threatened by foxes and (Above): Emmet Pocket lookout is 11.8km a perfect spot to enjoy the view. competitors such as goats and sheep. Fiona Leverington © Qld Govt Scale Take care near cliff edges. 0 5 10 15 20km Please do not disturb them by climbing (Left): Yellow-footed rock-wallabies Supervise children closely. inhabit high rocky escarpments. down among the rocks. © Qld Govt

10 11 Fishing and canoeing Did you know? Places to camp Although its banks are steep and slippery, Cattle find mulga Acacia aneura tasty Little Boomerang Waterhole Little Boomerang Waterhole is a great but ignore gidyea Acacia cambagei trees. spot for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Welford National Park and others are 10km west of Jundah-Quilpie Road. now destocked of cattle and protect such 4WD recommended. Driving and mountain biking mulga woodlands. Relaxing, quiet camp under shady river Follow a bush track exploring dunes, red gums and tea-trees on the banks of rocky outcrops, plains, channels the . and billabongs. Early morning or late afternoon is best for wildlife. Travel Places to go slowly and be careful of other road users and wildlife. Mulga Desert Drive Gidyea 22km one way (allow at least 3hr).

Admire patterns and tracks in shifting wind-blown sands. © Qld Govt John Augusteyn Photo: 4WD only. North-west of Little Boomerang Waterhole is thirsty country of colourful sand Welford National Park plains and dunes. Visit a life-sustaining waterhole . Climb soft sand to the Enjoy almost every outback experience in one amazing park. Birdwatch, dune and capture desert colours on Must dos fish or camp at a billabong; see spinifex on red desert sand dunes; delve camera (take care not to disturb fragile plants) . See a bore drilled to bring oil • Enjoy the ebb and flow of life on into the past at historical sites and 4WD into rugged rocky scarps where the Barcoo River. Camp, take it from 1,800m below ground and where easy, paddle or throw in a line. secretive yellow-footed rock-wallabies hide. a windmill once pumped precious water to • Capture a sunset and the troughs for stock . contrasting colours of ghost At Welford’s southern boundary, the Things to do River Drive gums and wildflowers on red Barcoo River cuts a green and brown 12.3km one way (allow 1.5hr). desert dunes. swathe west from rugged, rocky mulga- Wildlife spotting 4WD recommended. • Navigate along the river, through clad ranges towards Mitchell grass plains See emus on grassy plains and Major Travel along the banks of the river the mulga scrub or at the edge of and some of the most easterly red sand Mitchell’s cockatoos, red-winged parrots where river red gums line steep-banked the desert, taking in the stunning and mulga parrots in mulga woodlands channels. Usually dry with the occasional scenery and spotting wildlife. dunes in Australia. Seek contrasting and along the river. Look for brushtail billabong, debris high in trees is a • Delve into the past at heritage landscapes, varied wildlife and the shade possums in eucalypt trees at night. Go birdwatching along the river and in the ranges. reminder that swirling floodwaters can sites that reveal how the and tranquility of majestic river red gums © John Augusteyn sweep down the river washing away landscape has sustained people and coolabahs along river channels that Birding is brilliant around waterholes— vegetation and wildlife. for generations. bring life-giving water to thirsty country. glimpse pelicans, brolgas, black swans, whistling kites and near-threatened Our little-known sand Mulga Drive Aboriginal wells, stone hearths and other Getting there freckled ducks. Water rats hunt for fish dune is Welford’s most 71km return (allow 4hr). Welford is 260km south-west of cultural sites are scattered across the and frogs and gather mussels along the photographed feature and 4WD only. Longreach and 50km south of 124,000ha park. Welford’s pisé (rammed river, while spangled perch, yellow-belly is magic to visit at sunset. Venture east past the stockyards, Jundah. You enter the park via earth) homestead built in 1882 is one of and catfish are found in Ranger Shane (stopping for glimpses of the old rammed unsealed Jundah-Quilpie Road. only a few still occupied in Queensland— permanent waterholes. earth homestead) then onto scenic From Blackall (257km) drive south- but is not open to the public. waterholes and . Journey over west to Yaraka then continue on the river flats and up into rough mulga Yaraka-Retreat Road, or from Quilpie country dissected by stony escarpments (270km) and Windorah (110km) take and gullies towards a viewpoint and the Diamantina Development Road, Sawyers Creek . Sawyers Creek To Jundah connecting with the Jundah-Quilpie viewpoint Road and entering the park from Sawyers Creek Trafalgar Waterhole 7 the south. 16 Mile Bore 8 18km east of Jundah-Quilpie Road. 4WD required. Southern J 4WDs are recommended. Roads 4 D un Cross Bore e da Perfect picnic spot beneath coolabah s h are impassable in wet weather. e -Q r u trees. t The nearest fuel and supplies are ilp Driv 3 Oil Bore e ie at Jundah (50km) and Windorah R o 2 a Sawyers Creek viewpoint (110km). Desert d 1.2km return walk (allow 30min). Waterhole Frances Bulloo River 1 Waterhole 5 Mulga Drive Grade: easy. Ri ver Drive Enjoy panoramic views of exposed rocky (Right): Rugged rocky escarpments are a Trafalgar outcrops, slopes and spidery networks of contrast to sandy plains. 6 John Augusteyn © Qld Govt Little Boomerang The Waterhole channel country below. (Far right top): Lily-covered Trafalgar Waterhole. Waterhole Jetty Scale © Peter Hogan To Quilpie 0 5 10 15 20km Watch for mulga parrots and at dusk for (Far right bottom): Aboriginal stone arrangement. yellow-footed rock-wallabies. © John Augusteyn

12 13 The mighty Thomson River is a ribbon of life in the dry. Scott © Peter Photo: © John Augusteyn Photo: Torrens Creek is a shady wildlife haven.

Lochern National Park Forest Den National Park

Travel to the heart of ‘boom and bust’ country where devastating Immerse yourself in a bird-watcher’s paradise where creek channels Must dos droughts are followed by flooding rains that nourish the plains and Must dos lined with magnificent river red gums meander across grassy plains and • Admire Australian bustards transform parched channels into wetlands teeming with life. • Spy squatter pigeons hiding intermittent waterholes provide refuge for humans and wildlife alike. strutting across rolling Mitchell in the grass and blue-winged grass plains. kookaburras nesting by With a 20km frontage to the Thomson Walking and mountain biking Established to conserve black gidyea Places to camp • See flood marks on tree trunks waterholes. woodlands at their western limit, this River, 24,300ha Lochern National Park’s Wander around the river and waterholes, where floodwaters of the • Spot sugar gliders and brushtail 5,890ha park has a diverse range of plants Four Mile Waterhole many lagoons and waterholes provide or along the habitat drive. The park has no and fascinating wildlife. Reid River box, Thomson River have reached. refuge for birds and other wildlife. Wander walking tracks but it is quiet with gentle possums in river-side trees ironwood, beefwood, bauhinia and other • Take Lochern habitat drive and through gidyea or mulga woodlands and terrain. Watch for vehicles. at night. Camp in solitude near the banks of drive across rolling Mitchell grass plains woodland trees occur on the sandy ‘patchy contemplate how wildlife and Torrens Creek under the shade of trying to distinguish between the four plains’ in the park’s western sections. coolabah trees and river red gums. people adapt to cycles of wet Lochern habitat drive Getting there different species of Mitchell grass—hoop, Although used as grazing land for more and dry. 40km return (2–4hr). Forest Den is 100km north of There are no facilities. curl, barley and bull. See pastoral-era than 100 years, little remains of this era • Relax at Broadwater Lagoon, relics including winged dams (known 4WD only. Aramac, via Torrens Creek Road. apart from a few pastoral relics—fences, (Below): Brown falcon keeping watch for keeping an eye out for Emmott’s locally as tanks). Drive through the woodlands , past Turn east at the ‘Corinda’ signpost gateways and a derelict round timber unsuspecting prey. © John Augusteyn gidyea swamps and gaze across open and travel 5km before heading short-necked turtles, pelicans, bridge over Torrens Creek. (Bottom): Acacia woodlands are great for birdwatching. spoonbills, black swans, plains . Visit Robertsons Dam . See 4.5km north to Four Mile Waterhole © John Augusteyn Places to camp where gidyea logs were stacked in 1910 to sandpipers and stints. camping area. form yards and an old netting fence Things to do Broadwater Waterhole constructed to protect sheep from Although accessible in a Wildlife spotting Getting there dingoes. Walk 100m to the edge of conventional vehicle in dry weather, Watch birds and other animals coming to Turn off the Longreach-Jundah Road Camp by a permanent waterhole in the shallow Bluebush Lagoon to spy a 4WD vehicle is recommended as drink from waterholes at dawn and dusk. shade of coolabah trees. waterbirds. Wander around the old at the Lochern signpost 100km small amounts of rain can make See whistling kites, white ibis, spoonbills homestead complex on the flood- south of Longreach or 45km north of Accessible by conventional roads impassable. Fuel and supplies and egrets. Rufous-throated honeyeaters vehicle (in dry weather only). Stonehenge, and take the unsealed prone banks of the Thomson River. are available at Aramac (100km). nest by the waterholes. Look at night for There are no facilities. road for 40km to the Thomson River Beccari’s freetail bats skimming over water. and the park boundary.

The road from Winton (330km) via Things to do Lark Quarry can be very rough and Fishing and takes 4–5 hours to drive. Watch for canoeing Broadwater Waterhole Four Mile bulldust—very fine dust—and for Throw a line in at any Waterhole road trains. waterhole. Canoe or kayak at Old homestead 8

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Waterloo Road Robertsons 4 5 6 Scale Dam 0 1 2 3 4km Shepherds Bluebush Scale 7 To Aramac 0 5 10km Lagoon 14 yards 15 Places to camp Did you know? Bough Shed Hole Scrammy Jack was a boundary rider who lived alone in a simple, remote hut. After his hand was crushed by See wallaroos and red kangaroos from a wagon wheel he gained the name your camp beside Surprise Creek, 12km ‘scrammy’—an old English term south of the park boundary along the meaning ‘left-handed’. Route of the River Gum tourist drive. 4WD recommended, but accessible to high clearance 2WD vehicles in dry weather. Wildlife spotting Mitchell grass plains are a great spot to Places to go see red kangaroos. They are also ideal

Hard, rocky ranges rise above open grassy plains. © Qld Govt O’Connor Michael Photo: Bladensburg homestead habitat for the largest known population Imagine outback station life on a visit of endangered Julia Creek dunnarts, as to the restored homestead (now an well as (native mice) information centre and ranger office) Bladensburg National Park that sleep by day in the cracks of heavy and nearby staff quarters, meat house black soil but are active at night. and store. Leave open plains behind to refresh at unexpected waterholes, delve into Must dos Bladensburg is home to a wonderful Engine Hole the park’s rich history and venture up impressive flat-topped plateaus to diversity of birds, including emus, Picnic or swim at a horseshoe-shaped • Picnic or camp at a waterhole not Scrammy Gorge and views over vast expanses of grasslands. Australian bustards, Hall’s babblers, waterhole lined with stunning, white river far from an outback town. spotted bowerbirds and singing red gums. • Ponder life, and death, on a bushlarks. Discover painted firetails and Sense the significance of a cultural Things to do (Above): The greatest threats to this tiny Skull Hole station in this harsh, hot land. rufous-crowned emu-wrens flitting among Julia Creek Sminthopsis douglasi are landscape and aging reminders of the Sense the significance of a dry-country • Admire gnarled ghost gums on Scenic driving the spinifex, and painted honeyeaters feral cats (which prey on them) and prickly acacia past. Bladensburg is the traditional trees—a weed that alters the plain habitat. waterhole filled by a waterfall in the wet rugged tablelands and the curly Route of the River Gum or black honeyeaters in trees along Greg Mifsud © Qld Govt country of the and was once a season. This is believed to be the site of creek lines. (Top): Spinifix pigeon red bark of mineritchie (red 72km return (half day) from Winton. Rosemary Millward © Qld Govt busy outback station. a tragic and violent massacre of mulga) in dry creek beds. Pick up a self-guided drive brochure at Aboriginal people in the late 1800s. See river red gums along watercourses, • Take a rough track up a ‘jump Winton’s visitor information centre, set To Winton Racetrack remnants up’ to gaze over almost tree-less drive past scattered patches of gidyea your trip meter to 0km and head off to Campbell Creek White stakes one furlong (200m) apart

plains stretching toward the trees then grassy spinifex and termite discover 15 places of interest including d m mark the Old Bladensburg racetrack, a horizon. mounds on higher sandy slopes. Erosion- o u

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a C the Route of the River Gum. At the O R At Scrammy Lookout at the edge of m Scrammy 8 r antibiotics, when babies sometimes died e m 8 junction 7km further on, turn left to e Lookout an impressive flat-topped mesa you see y k of simple infections. 3 D Bladensburg homestead (5km) and r Bough iv amazing views over the grassy plains and Skull Hole e Scrammy Drive, or right to Bough Shed Hole river flats—especially at sunset. 4 7 Scrammy Scrammy Gorge Shed Hole camping area (12km). Racetrack Waterhole Water coursing through cracks and Top 5 Mistake Creek Only accessible to high-clearance vehicles crevices of the hard-topped plateau Conventional vehicles can access Crossing Baby Delia Scrammy 6 undermines the softer sandstone layer in dry weather. 4WD recommended. grave Gorge the Route of the River Gum, the beneath, until eventually large blocks camping area and homestead in tumble into the gorge. Admire the gnarled Logan Falls dry weather. Scale ‘Octopus Tree’ (a ghost gum), rock figs 0 5 10km and lancewood clinging to life in rugged conditions. Stay well back, cliff edges are unstable. (Top): Take a self-guided walk through the original Scrammy Waterhole homestead complex and visit Gaze over vast plains from other heritage sites of this Scrammy Lookout. This rock-bottomed waterhole is 2m deep former grazing property. © Karen Smith and rarely dries up. © Qld Govt (Left): You can get great photos of local wildlife at Scrammy Waterhole, and if the weather is warm enough, you can swim. Cliff edges are unstable. © Dan Witten Keep well back from (Far left): Red kangaroos are seen on the plains. the edge and supervise © Qld Govt children closely.

16 17 18 Combo Waterhole Conservation Park Conservation Waterhole Combo Carefully constructed overshots helphold water between infrequent storms. recommended. is vehicle 4WD or 2WD clearance Ahigh area. picnic the to 8km drive and Kynuna) of (13km south Winton of 132km north-west Highway Landsborough the off Turn there Getting • • Must dos © Alistair Hartley Rainbow bee-eater. ribbon of life in the dry. the in life of ribbon river—a the along Birdwatch past. the of tales pondering tree, acoolabah of shade the in Picnic the carpark, or near the waterhole. the near or carpark, the feed and nest. and feed they where country open in pratincoles Australian long-legged glimpse and weebill atiny of call far-carrying the for Listen harriers. of spotted flight gliding low- the and kingfishers, sacred and bee-eaters rainbow of colours the Admire here. good is particularly Birdwatching do to Things channels. braided River’s Diamantina the traversing route coach the along (crossings) overshots pitched stone- historic See Waterhole. Combo at station achanging was there that believed is it and behind close trotted teams Co. and Cobb route. astock established and cattle and sheep brought then settlers followed, Explorers channels. braided its along travel and trade of paths pioneering River, Diamantina the follow to first the were people Koa The plains. grass Mitchell vast by surrounded waterholes of a series Explore inland. dry the across connections and life-force both provide Rivers ‘Banjo’ Paterson. A.B. poet Australian renowned come alive at coolabah-lined near waterholes astation visited by Matilda Waltzing inspired have might spot infamous this campDid the by Combo jolly swagman Waterhole? to imagine It’s easy Wildlife spotting Wildlife Picnic at a small day-use area near near area day-use asmall at Places to stay to cross the flooded creek. flooded the cross to attempt rain—never after floods track The Waterhole. Combo to walk a self-guided on Matilda Waltzing of story the Discover Grade: easy. (1.5hr). return 2.9km Places to go nearby. Kynuna in overnight Stay 0 Scale Combo Waterhole walk Combo Waterhole Camping is not permitted. is not Camping Waterhole Combo 200 400m

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Photo: © Jodie Kurpershoek

Photo: © John Augusteyn Lark Quarry Conservation Park Conservation Quarry Lark Dinosaur trackways. • • Information Centre. Information com.au dinosaurtrackways. visit bookings and tours of details For apply. fees and only tour guided is by trackways dinosaur Quarry’s Lark to access But is free. centre orientation the and tracks walking its park, the to Entry is recommended. but essential, is not A4WD roads. sealed partially rough, via south-west 110km drive the making before conditions, road latest the and fuel directions, for Winton in Stop there Getting • Must dos sun-baked rocks. sun-baked on basking snakes or lizards dragons, ring-tailed Spy distance. the in country channel the to west and plains grass Mitchell over east gaze to escarpments broken climb and spinifex through Stroll dinosaur trackways trackways dinosaur the of tour aguided on dinosaurs of age the into back Step Camping is not permitted. is not Camping Ranger Sue Ranger water. drinking carry to sure Be landscape. spinifex-clad rugged the of wildlife and views spectacular Take enjoy to amaze. awalk that trackways the just not It’s or the Winton Visitor Visitor Winton the or

. must be taken at the lookout’s edges. lookout’s the at taken be must care and places in is steep track The west. and east both views amazing for lookout a to building trackways the from Walk easy-moderate. Grade: (30min). return 500m Places to go spots. in sunny adders) death (including snakes see and lizards for look cliffs, under snoozing wallaroos for Watch woodswallows. little and honeyeaters singing chats, crimson firetails, painted pigeons, spinifex Spot do to Things with information centre. building climate-controlled sustainable, ecologically- an inside protected now are and 1960s early the in discovered were past the from footprints these mud, from formed rock in Preserved uncovered. been has sites dinosaur important most world’s the of one spinifex, the above rising escarpments broken and gullies mesas, ancient of landscape astriking In creaturespre-historic on the shores of alake 100 million years ago. by left muddy at moreWonder thanfootprints 4,000 wide-eyed spotting Wildlife Spinifex circuit Spinifex

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circuit Spinifex p 2 200m 1 trackways Dinosaur To Winton 19 Welcome to Maiawali Country Maiawali people have lived on this land for thousands of years, with Dreaming stories being Walk up onto the plateau or shared by Maiawali Elders for many generations. sand dunes near Gum Hole We cherish our connection to country and ask that to see the grasslands and you also respect and care for our traditional land. sandhills at closer range. Ranger Chris

Things to do Wildlife spotting Birdwatch at waterholes and wetlands. See flocks of waterbirds and screeching bands of budgerigars, corellas and galahs

Mitchell grass plains stretch to the horizon. © Qld Govt Photo: wheeling in unison. Look for resident and migratory birds breeding at Lake Places to camp Constance and Hunters Gorge. Out on the Diamantina National Park plains enjoy spotting bushlarks, chats, Hunters Gorge emus and bustards, ground-dwelling Australian pratincoles and birds of prey. Stretch your gaze across vast, treeless plains, over sand dunes and along Although shade trees are few and it can be (Above): Australian bustards walk slowly, picking Must dos river channels towards eroded low ranges on the horizon. Camp in the Get caught up in a population boom of at seeds, leaves, fruit, lizards and insects. windy here, the scenery and sunsets are • Visit Janets Leap for a bird’s-eye shade of a coolabah tree, dreaming at night under endless starry skies native long-haired rats in channel country © Karen Smith stunning. Camp in an open area beside (Right): At Janet’s Leap. view of Diamantina Gates where of the Maiawali and Karuwali people and travellers along the mighty after good rains or floods. In response, the Fiona Leverington © Qld Govt Mundewerra Waterhole, 14km from the rat’s predators, such as inland taipans, converging channels of the long ago. ranger base via Springvale Road. Diamantina River push through kites, falcons and barn owls also increase dramatically in numbers. a narrow gap in the Goyder and Take a scenic drive Gum Hole (Nandibargoola) Captured in song and spoken about with According to Maiawali tradition ‘Dust stirred Take 90km Warracoota Circuit Drive Hamilton ranges. by the winds is the Spirit of the Old People: reverence, Diamantina is the subject to remember them’—Legend of the sandhill. Fishing and canoeing to marvel at permanent lakes, parallel • Relax, canoe or birdwatch at Relax in the shade of coolabah and of folklore and a spectacularly variable © John Augusteyn Throw a line into the river at Hunters sand dunes, claypans that appear as bauhinia trees at separate sites along beautiful seasonal lakes or Gorge, or paddle peacefully on permanent shimmering lakes in the heat and vast landscape offering a unique near-desert Whistling Duck Creek 22km from the permanent waterholes. waterholes and seasonal lakes. plains clothed in gibbers or grass. experience. At 500,700ha Diamantina is ranger base. • Follow the Warracoota Circuit one of Queensland’s largest national parks. Drive to explore pastoral relics Discover cultural heritage Walk or ride to be closer Note: Hunters Gorge provides higher Aboriginal people understood this and learn about the landscapes of Immerse yourself in heritage at the visitor to nature ground, but both camping areas are landscape—using the Diamantina River information room at the park ranger base, subject to flooding in wet weather. the channel country. Ride a mountain bike along the park’s as a trading route and finding food in its Mayne Hotel ruins at the park’s northern roads and vehicle tracks to experience • Get your camera snapping to grasslands, sand dunes and sandstone boundary, ruins at Warracoota Waterhole the wild—and often windy—nature capture desert colours, amazing Places to go ranges. Then came explorers ahead of and at several grave sites. Diamantina of Diamantina, but be sure to have wildflowers, diverse wildlife and pastoralists, stockmen and drovers grazing National Park is particularly rich in emergency contacts organised and Janets Leap stunning sunsets across the remains of Aboriginal life including camp livestock in good seasons on the highly- carry water. Watch for vehicles. Look out over river channels that constrict plains. sites and cultural sites. nutritious Mitchell grass of Diamantina’s together to pass through a narrow gap in prized prime fattening country. Experience the ranges. See Mount Mary (an island in the middle) and Moses Cone—impressive Getting there its infinite beauty, replenishing waters and To Winton landmarks named after Maiawali tracker Head south from Winton (306km) shimmering mirages for yourself. Budgeree (Moses) and his sister Mahibi or south-east from Boulia (183km), (Mary-Anne). north from Windorah (350km) or east Hunters Gorge from Bedourie (275km) and follow Gum Hole the signs. Fill up before leaving town Mayne Hotel Plan well ahead and take extra fuel. The drive is slow (heritage site) Isolation, hot weather, and dusty, and a 4WD vehicle is unexpected rain and the needed because roads are unsealed To Boulia and Janets Leap Bedourie potential for vehicle breakdowns for 200–300km and wheel ruts can Restricted W require you to carry extra fuel, a access area be deep. Even small amounts of rain r ra communication equipment, vehicle make roads impassable. co Diamantina ot a spares and sufficient food, water Ci ranger base rcu it Visit in the cooler months between Drive and medical supplies to last an April and September. extra two weeks. Pack for hot and cold conditions and ALWAYS carry To Windorah drinking water. Maxime Coquard Scale © Tourism and Events Qld 0 20 40km

20 21 Return to main track Warracoota Circuit Drive A series of parallel sand dunes Did you know? Diamantina National Park (69km) reach up from the lower The Diamantina River provided country along the floodplain and up a natural route for Aboriginal onto higher plains. trade—a network of tracks running 90km return (allow 4–5hr). Grasslands (19km) of Flinders north–south that became their Mitchell grass plateau (72km) grass and four species of Mitchell commerce road. Maiawali and Set your trip meter to 0km near Gum Hole. Named after explorer Sir Thomas grass grow across vast plains. Karuwali people traded Ensure you have enough fuel and drinking Mitchell, Mitchell grasses are See wildflowers here after early water, keep to the track and leave all sites invaluable to the cattle and sheep boomerangs, shields, pituri (a plant spring rain. as you find them. industry of . with stimulant properties), and later Bronco yards (21.5km) were designed Maxime Coquard © Tourism and Events Qld National parks are some of the few government blankets, in exchange These steel yards (0km) built in the to withstand restless cattle that for yellow ochre, rocks for tools, 1980s by previous owners are still places you can see ungrazed were branded, tagged, castrated or flat-tipped single-piece spears, used by drovers moving stock along Mitchell grass. Elizabeth Springs Conservation Park

dehorned here. white shells and shirts. protects fragile mound springs. © Qld Govt Photo: the Springvale Road stock route. Turn left at the T intersection Turn right at Springvale Road (74.2km) Lake Constance (24km) Admire sand dunes (1.5km) formed Warracoota Waterhole (44km) Turn right onto side-track at sign (82km) See waterbirds at this semi- parallel to prevailing winds during the Linger at an especially deep, long and were made permanent wetland of national Gum Hole Yards (84km) last 30,000 years. narrow waterhole that has never been entirely of post and rails from durable Elizabeth significance, as well as budgerigars, known to run dry. A special place for the gidyea and coolabah timber by skilled Claypans (7.5km) appear as corellas and honeyeaters in the Maiawalia and Kurawali, its importance Aboriginal people and pastoralists Springs shimmering lakes in the heat. Lake surrounding coolabah trees. to stockmen as a base camp resulted Constance further on is one of the working side-by-side. Flinders grass (29.5km) is common in in conflict over competing use. Leave largest on the park. Conservation low-lying areas where floods occur. artefacts as you find them. Stock camp (85km) An old shed and discarded items are Gibber plains (15.5km) are covered Floodout (33km) areas on heavy clay Warracoota Ruins (47km) by small stones (gibbers) polished all that remain of a makeshift camp Park soils between sand dunes become Several stone-walled structures atop smooth by windblown sand. where stockmen ate and slept after swampy in wet years. Bluebush, a ridge (pictured above) are thought Maiawalia and Karuwali people used a hard day mustering and yarding Venture north-west of Diamantina spindly-looking lignum and sesbania to have been built by early pioneers. them for chipping flakes to make livestock. to a small (101ha) park protecting pea grow here. Access is via an easy 400m return walk. stone tools. Return to Springvale Road endangered mound spring habitats. The endangered Elizabeth Springs goby fish and companion aquatic To Winton (306km) snails live exclusively in this small, restricted and very fragile ecosystem. Goyder Range Explore Elizabeth Springs from a

Whistling Gum Hole signed 700m walk off Springvale Map not to scale Duck Creek Nandibargoola Road (100km south-east of Boulia). Boundary Mundawerra You cannot drive into the park. To Boulia (183km) Bore Waterhole 13 Hunters Janets Leap Camping is not permitted. Springvale Road Gorge Gum Hole Yards 14 1 15 12 Steel Moses Stock Cone Hamilton Did you know? yards 2 Mount Range camp Mary The Elizabeth Springs goby and aquatic snails living here 3 D Warracoota ia Spring Creek m can tolerate water that is Diamantina an Waterhole 4 tin Cooyrie Creek a 17 times saltier than seawater River R 10 iv e and at temperatures reaching 11 Diamantina r R oad Ruins Bronco ranger base 41.5°C. W a yards r Hunters Gorge is a large waterhole on the Diamantina River. ra 9 c o (Above): © John Augusteyn o t 5 (Top): © Karen Smith a C irc uit Little Lake Bronco Dri 6 ve Constance yards Boom or bust, water or dust Take extreme care 8 To Windorah Lake (350km) As isolated as it is dusty, at times you can be cut off at Diamantina by overflowing not to walk on the 7 Constance claypans or flood waters spilling out from multiple river channels. Fed by rainfall in the sensitive mounds north and draining towards in South Australia, multiple river channels stretch or adjacent wetlands. The Legend several kilometres across in an impressive coolabah and lignum-lined river that defies mounds can be very dangerous 4WD road Permanent waterhole Sandstone range the desert landscape with brilliant green. After an influx of water, herbs and grasses as bogs are not visible under burst forth across vast plains, followed by a boom in populations of insects and small the thin, dry crust. Camping Claypan subject to flooding Mitchell grass downs mammals, and in turn more reptiles and birds of prey. Information Sand dunes Ironstone gidgee country 22 23 Lookout Intermediary claypan country 24 Munga-Thirri National Park National Munga-Thirri Admire thewindswept crests of shifting dunes. other times. at closures temporary cause temperatures. summer to extreme due March to 15 1December from closed is Park National Munga-Thirri 5328 details. for 8648 (08) phone Visit Pass. Parks aDesert purchase to need will you Australia, South into and Queensland beyond continuing If wet. when is impassable and dunes loose-sand traverses Corner Poeppel to 130km remaining 4WD. The high-clearance a have must you on here From Desert. Simpson the of edge the at dune sand Red Big to 35km west road graded the take Birdsville From there Getting • • • • • Must dos canegrass. sandhill of clumps between flitting grasswren Eyrean or fairy-wren awhite-winged Spot skies. clear, starry brilliantly beneath swag your out roll Simply packed. tent the Leave sand. red across footprints by mouse hopping spinifex or perentie devil, athorny Track go. you as them Count dunes. sand over climbing of excitement the Feel adventure. desert your of start the mark to Red Big atop aphoto snap and park the to way the on Stop environment.sa.gov.au Wet weather may may weather Wet or or of Georgina gidyea after rain. rain. after gidyea Georgina of aroma pungent the Smell dunes. between pans salt and claypans with alternate that flats gibber-ironstone and sandplains the on grow grevilleas and hakeas acacias, of Shrublands dunes. on spinifex the under or slopes, sandy securing canegrass into disappear tracks animal where desert’ ‘green avegetated by captivated Be lifeless. from is far but place, driest is Australia’s Desert Simpson The park. national largest Queensland’s is this hectares 1million At direction. south-east south- to anorth-west in 200km to up extend 1km apart, about and high 30m to up each dunes, sand wind-blown Parallel, people. and Yarluyandi Wangkangurru of home ancestral is the This of wildflowers. riot vivid is a the rain desert huge sandSimpson red dunes. After Desert’s 4WD adventure of iconic traversing the bare, windswept crests Savour colours contrasting and the isolation of the ultimate © JohnAugusteyn Corner. Poeppel at post Marker (Above): © Bruce Thomson Places to go an overnight stay. stay. overnight an for allow so way, one drive to hours 5–6 takes 1970s. It and 1960s the during oil and gas for searching surveyors by made track line—a QAA the to Keep intersect. Territory Northern the located and border Australian/Queensland South the of survey official first the conducted 1880, in who, Poeppel Augustus surveyor Australian South was it 1844) but (in desert the enter to European first the was Sturt Charles meet. Territory Northern and Australia South Queensland, where lakes salt large the at Marvel Poeppel Corner Corner Poeppel struts through desert wildflowers. desert through struts monitor) largest (Australia’s Aperentie (Left):

Photo: John Augusteyn © Qld Govt Sand driving tips driving Sand Places to camp . atiny of sight catch to lucky you’d but be seen be mice might inland sandy mice and hopping day. Spinifex the of heat the escape to hide Mammals meal. atasty for ground the scanning overhead soaring prey of birds watch and spinifex of clumps rounded spiky, in predators from hiding lizards Spy chats. and parrots colourful of glimpses catch or waterbirds see even might you and dunefields, the than birds of array aricher have Watercourses here. live bird of 180 species than More place. unpredictable and harsh this to adapted animals and plants discovering in Delight do to Things • • • • facilities. or campgrounds no are There line. QAA the 100m of within camp Bush prepared to cope with hot days and freezing nights in Australia’s driest place. driest Australia’s in nights freezing and days hot with cope to prepared well- be You must what! matter vehicle—no your with Stay away. days be can help and remote is very Munga-Thirri recommended. are (PLBs) beacons locator Personal essential. are phones satellite and radio HF or UHF communications. and supplies medical equipment, recovery parts, spare vehicle fuel, and water food, in sufficient Big Red and Poeppel Corner. Corner. Poeppel and Red Big between line QAA the along 5km every marker point is acall There travellers. other alert to occasionally call and 10 channel UHF Monitor vehicle. oncoming is an there assume Always colour. in lime-yellow or red-orange materials, fluorescent of made and size in x290mm 300mm least at be should flag The ground. the 3.5mmimimum from a flag the of top the with vehicle your to flag visibility ahigh Attach humps. and depressions drops, steep creates sand carefully—shifting dunes Cross caution. with crests dune Approach driving. dune sand with experienced if trailer acamper tow 4WD. and Only hubs locking Engage west on QAA call point 1” point call QAA on west travelling vehicle “One Wildlife spotting Wildlife should enter the Simpson Desert. Travel with another vehicle and be self- be and vehicle another with Travel Desert. Simpson the enter should travel area remote and desert in experienced visitors well-equipped Only Warning © QldGovt Rowlands. Don Ranger (Right): © Bruce Thomson creatures. small other and insects catch to night at out come and burrows in live tail, their on hairs black • • best for easier access. easier for best is afternoon late and morning Early is cool. sand the when dunes Cross improve. conditions once recommendations manufacturer’s to immediately tyres Reinflate conditions. suit to drive and turns sudden avoid speed, reduce load, and weight consider recommendations, manufacturer’s check sand, soft in traction improve to pressure tyre reduce to choose you If with a distinctive crest of short short of crest adistinctive with marsupials carnivorous small , (Above): • • • information. more for Birdsville in Centre Information Visitor Wirrarri the at in diamantina.qld.gov.au Visit lagoon. Pelican explore or Birdsville of north trees waddy ancient See way. the along towns and Birdsville around sights discovering by adventure desert You your to add can know? you Did punctures are highly likely. highly are punctures and consumption fuel increases sand soft in Driving tubes. spare and tyre spare asecond fuel, extra Carry mud. sticky black, is soft, crust loamy thin, their beneath but solid look may Saltpans hazards. avoid and track marked the to Keep improve. conditions until vehicle your in Wait warning. little with storms dust create winds Gusty is poor. visibility if driving Stop Ranger Don offer. to has desert the that all appreciate truly and time Take your creatures. nature’s of sounds the with balanced silence the isolation, the Ilove times. dry in (wells) mikiris to back falling and seasons good in tucker bush finding and hunting tracking, here, lived ancestors Wangkangurru My or stop stop or 25

Photo: Tourism and Events Qld 26 • • • • • • prepared Be in‘just case’. Outback is not an The environment to take for granted. But take all sensible precautions and to safe stay come prepared Challenge yourself to be self-sufficient and out of phone contact. Outback roads are long anddusty. and its wildlife, and to allow for delays. for allow to and wildlife, its and landscape the appreciate to time your rushing. Avoid relative. or afriend with points) and/or routes check-in travel (including itinerary an leave and supplies Plan for emergencies. stations. service not are bases park national and between far and Fuel up regularly. vehicle. of your knowledge mechanical sound and experience travel remote has group your in someone Ensure it? to up equipment and vehicle your you, carefully. your destination Choose vehicles. 4WD for only is suitable parks) within (or areas parks most to Access wrong. go something should help from far roads, boggy and/or slow, dusty rough, Expect gear. camping insect-proof and repellent insect veils, fly Bring overnight. freezing) (to below cold very and day the during hot very and flies! conditions… cold and hot for Pack John Augusteyn ©QldGovt must beCampers self-sufficient. Outback Queensland can be be can Queensland Outback Relax! Slow down, take take down, Slow Relax! Fuel stops are few few are stops Fuel Pack extra extra Pack Are Are q q q q q q q q checklist Packing

medications. and protection insect and sun equipment. with familiar Be coolant. engine and oil tyres, inflating for compressor air an tyres, spare two include spares; and equipment recovery tools, repair vehicle Bring stops. refuelling plan and requirements fuel calculate to maps Use quickly. more fuel use will travel 4WD and equipment. repair and spares vehicle fuel, Extra contacts. emergency Communication equipment useful. be may AGPS distances. and routes travel showing map road Detailed kit. first-aid Complete animal-proof containers. animal-proof sealable, and bags rubbish Sturdy order. working gear camping Reliable free firewood. free and/or stove weed- clean, Portable supply. emergency extra an plus washing) limited and cooking drinking, (for day per person per supplies. emergency and food water, Adequate Carry at least 7L of water water of 7L least at Carry Frequent low gear gear low Frequent Include Include in good good in and list of of list and home at emergencyapp.triplezero.gov.au at home leave you before downloading Consider services. emergency to details location critical provide can that functionality GPS has app smartphone Emergency+ free The advisable. is also (PLB) Beacon Locator APersonal arise. need the should police or rangers local Service, Doctor Flying Royal The RACQ, contact to used be can These radio. UHF or phone satellite a Carry towns. major in service have may networks some although available, not is generally coverage phone Mobile Communication Many offer free Wi-Fi for visitors. for Wi-Fi free offer Many way. the along centre information visitor afriendly into stop advice local For 247 1800 call or 966. outbackqueensland.com.au at Tourism Outback visit parks national outside options accommodation For • • • permit: camping your To book Camping qld.gov.au/ visit so camping allow parks all Not arrive. you before permits camping purchase and sites camp your book to need you parks To national in camp parks in Camping may apply.may charges phone Mobile credit. camping or card apayment use (13 13phone QGOV 74 and 68) details CampingBookingOffices qld.gov.au/ Visit cards. payment and eftpos cash, accepting office booking permit over-the-counter an visit credit camping Camping qld.gov.au/ at online book to arrangements. check using a payment card or or card apayment using for for

Photo: John Augusteyn © Qld Govt © Karen Smith population. apest establish and escape may species Invasive bait. live other or frogs use Never fisheries.qld.gov.au visit details for apply, limits) bag and size (including regulations Fishing parks. national Diamantina and Bladensburg Lochern, Welford, at is permitted Fishing Fishing • • • • • • safely Drive your vehicle until help arrives. help until vehicle your with stay ALWAYS down, break you If itinerary. your knows reliable someone sure make and vehicle another with Travel users. road other for dangerous and damaged be will surface road the through, make it you if Even roads. affected rain on drive Never telephones. or public supplies fuel, expect towns—don’t not houses station are maps on marked locations Many public. the to open not and private are that roads show maps Some permission. without property private on drive never and them find you as gates Leave holders. land local and users road other of considerate Be zone. arid the in regrow to slow are Plants tracks. multiple of confusion the and erosion prevent help to roads designated to Keep trucks. for road the off Move crossings. flooded and washouts at risks avoid and animals for out watch conditions, local to according Drive jump ups near Lark Quarry. Lark near ups jump the among foot on Explore • • • • • • • • • • • • • • responsible Be Keep noise to aminimum. to noise Keep watercourses. and tracks sites, camp from 15cm 100m away and deep least at paper toilet and waste human bury provided, not are toilets Where waterbodies.away from 50m least at wash and detergents and soaps of use your Minimise toilets. pit into tanks toilet chemical of contents or rubbish place Never recover. to slow are plants Arid-zone vegetation. over things drape or trees to ropes tie Never provided. where rings fire Use permitted. not is parks in national firewood clean, firewood. weed-free Collecting own your or stove, aportable Use and/or burrows. nests animal from away camp up set Please provided. sites the in only Camp cycles. motor or bikes quad unregistered or chainsaws firearms, use Don’t tyres. vehicle in weeds of spread the prevent help to towns local in facilities wash-down vehicle Use seeds. for regularly equipment and clothing checking by weeds of spread the Avoid up. it dig will animals as rubbish bury Never sites. disposal waste off-park at dumping for containers sealed in rubbish your Pack areas. day-use or sites camp around scraps or food leave or wildlife feed Don’t home. at pets your Leave sites. historic and artefacts cultural plants, and animals disturbing Avoid • • • • W • yourselfLook after q checks Pre-departure q q q that could scratch, sting or bite. or sting scratch, could that animals for lookout the on and times all at surroundings your of aware Be objects. submerged hide or shallow be may It water. into dive or jump Never unstable. be might They edges. escarpment from away stay and step your Watch (not thongs). footwear sturd and repellent insect sunscreen, waterhole. or river stream, any from water treat or filter Boil, walking. or driving whether water, drinking carry Always ear protective clothing. Put on a hat, ahat, on Put clothing. protective ear

council offices (see back page). back (see offices council qldtraffic.qld.gov.au at conditions road Check station. radio ABC local the on updates to listen bom.gov.au at Meteorology of Bureau the Contact forecasts. weather Check conditions. and closures access, on information latest the for qld.gov.au/ParkAlerts Visit conditions. park current Check page). previous details (see permits camping Book or at local local at or

and and y 27 Further information qld.gov.au/NationalParks

qld.gov.au/Camping qld.gov.au/ParkAlerts (access, closures and conditions) qldnationalparks

@QldParks; #QldParks

This brochure is also available online at qld.gov.au/ParkBrochures

Useful contacts Emergencies: Road conditions: Call Triple Zero (000) from a digital Visit the Department of Transport and Local information on roads, waste or satellite mobile phone. If hearing Main Roads at qldtraffic.qld.gov.au or disposal sites and local services: impaired, call 106. Mobile phone coverage phone 13 19 40. phone (07) 4651 1778 is extremely limited. barcaldinerc.qld.gov.au You can also try to make contact via these Tourist information: Barcoo Shire phone (07) 4658 6900 most commonly used UHF radio channels outbackqueensland.com.au barcoo.qld.gov.au and scan for people using other channels or phone 1800 247 966. while you are driving. Blackall-Tambo Region Dump points: phone (07) 4621 6600 Bladensburg – UHF Channel 1 (duplex) Campervan and Motorhome Club of btrc.qld.gov.au Diamantina – UHF Channel 2 (duplex) Australia cmca.net.au Diamantina Shire phone 1300 794 257 Idalia – UHF Channel 24 or Channel 6 thediamantina.com.au (duplex) phone (07) 4658 4150 Lochern – UHF Channel 2 (simplex) longreachtourism.com.au Munga-Thirri – UHF Channel 10 Winton Shire phone 1300 665 115 experiencewinton.com.au Welford – UHF Channel 29 or Channel 3 Scan to check (duplex) park alerts

©State of Queensland 2019. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment and Science. BP1572 April 2019. Printed on eco-friendly paper to save energy and resources. Photos: Diamantina River, Diamantina National Park © Karen Smith (front cover); © Tourism and Events Queensland (back cover)