Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt Qld © Ashdown Robert ©Tourism and Events Qld Events and ©Tourism Smith Karen © Qld Events and ©Tourism (Ranger) Govt Qld © Ashdown Robert nd); (Backgrou Qld Events and Tourism
tadpoles of great barred frogs barred great of tadpoles
Peek in rock pools for the huge huge the for pools rock in Peek and buses. buses. and
Ranger Kelvin Ranger
Discretion is urged with respect to caravans, motorhomes motorhomes caravans, to respect with urged is Discretion
discover and treasure in Queensland’s second oldest national park. national oldest second Queensland’s in treasure and discover
and narrow and not suitable for long and/or heavy vehicles. vehicles. heavy and/or long for suitable not and narrow and possums foraging in tree tops. tree in foraging possums
stories of the past and enduring cultural connections, there are so many things to to things many so are there connections, cultural enduring and past the of stories
All access roads to the Bunya Mountains are steep, winding winding steep, are Mountains Bunya the to roads access All in leaf litter or brushtail and ringtail ringtail and brushtail or litter leaf in
still amazes me. From forest giants to tiny blossoms, endangered ecosystems to to ecosystems endangered blossoms, tiny to giants forest From me. amazes still
bandicoots and antechinus fossicking fossicking antechinus and bandicoots
surrounding farmlands to this very special place. place. special very this to farmlands surrounding After 20 years working in this park, its ageless diversity and raw majesty of nature nature of majesty raw and diversity ageless its park, this in working years 20 After
spot might you torchlight by Then,
Kingaroy, Nanango or Yarraman to rise up from the plains and and plains the from up rise to Yarraman or Nanango Kingaroy, These mist-covered mountains are a world away from the surrounding countryside. countryside. surrounding the from away world a are mountains mist-covered These
Follow the Great Bunya Drive signs from Dalby, Jondaryan, Jondaryan, Dalby, from signs Drive Bunya Great the Follow Australia’s largest known maternity colony. maternity known largest Australia’s
bats from the old timber school house at Dandabah— at house school timber old the from bats of Brisbane and 125km north-west of Toowoomba. Toowoomba. of north-west 125km and Brisbane of
warmer months for the sunset flight of tiny chocolate wattled wattled chocolate tiny of flight sunset the for months warmer
Bunya Mountains National Park is about 200km north-west north-west 200km about is Park National Mountains Bunya
them just off the road heading south towards Dalby. Dalby. towards south heading road the off just them
warm, spring evenings at dusk. Wait with anticipation in in anticipation with Wait dusk. at evenings spring warm, Follow the Great Bunya Drive Bunya Great the Follow
areas. They are not featured in this guide, but you’ll find find you’ll but guide, this in featured not are They areas.
Be enchanted by fireflies flickering through the forest on on forest the through flickering fireflies by enchanted Be
Council, also offers several walks, lookouts and picnic picnic and lookouts walks, several offers also Council,
koalas overhead. koalas Russell Park Russell , managed by the Western Downs Regional Regional Downs Western the by managed ,
Burton’s legless lizards scurrying off the track and watch for for watch and track the off scurrying lizards legless Burton’s
refuge for us all. us for refuge
thousands of years. of thousands views to the east. east. the to views
necked wallabies laze on the grass. Glimpse skinks and and skinks Glimpse grass. the on laze wallabies necked © Bruce Thomson Bruce ©
Today the Bunya Mountains are a gathering place and and place gathering a are Mountains Bunya the Today
King parrot King have been gathering for for gathering been have overnight. Admire magnificent grasstrees and panoramic panoramic and grasstrees magnificent Admire overnight. honeyeaters forage among leaves and flowers, and red- and flowers, and leaves among forage honeyeaters
or just yourself, where people people where yourself, just or the shelter shed or shade of stately stringybarks; or camp camp or stringybarks; stately of shade or shed shelter the
and to receive strength from Mother Earth. Mother from strength receive to and Out in the open forest, grey fantails, tree-creepers and and tree-creepers fantails, grey forest, open the in Out
Reconnect with family, friends, friends, family, with Reconnect water for bullocks and horses. Relax nearby over a picnic in in picnic a over nearby Relax horses. and bullocks for water
stories, settle disputes, pass on wisdom, marry, trade trade marry, wisdom, on pass disputes, settle stories,
canopy above. above. canopy natural spring excavated in the early 1900s to provide clean clean provide to 1900s early the in excavated spring natural
swoop to a nearby branch. branch. nearby a to swoop celebrate the bounty of the bunya nut harvest—to share share harvest—to nut bunya the of bounty the celebrate
land snails, or birds have dropped partly-eaten fruit from the the from fruit partly-eaten dropped have birds or snails, land Burtons Well Burtons
, a a , historic is entrance northern park’s the Near
inquisitive satin bowerbirds bowerbirds satin inquisitive
For generations Aboriginal peoples gathered to feast and and feast to gathered peoples Aboriginal generations For for tell-tale signs where noisy pittas have been feasting on on feasting been have pittas noisy where signs tell-tale for
as colourful parrots and and parrots colourful as Plain. Westcott has wood barbecues and a small camping area. camping small a and barbecues wood has Westcott Plain. future generations. future
pademelons deep inside the rainforest. Scan the forest floor floor forest the Scan rainforest. the inside deep pademelons
nourishing flesh of bunya nuts. bunya of flesh nourishing
crimson, green or blue blue or green crimson, dry rainforest gully a short distance along the track from Cherry Cherry from track the along distance short a gully rainforest dry for and now enjoy—for to all us
Watch for green catbirds, paradise rifle-birds and red-legged red-legged and rifle-birds paradise catbirds, green for Watch
promise of cool forests, cold mountain streams and the the and streams mountain cold forests, cool of promise
Catch a brilliant flash of of flash brilliant a Catch grassy areas. Look for shy black-breasted button-quails in the the in button-quails black-breasted shy for Look areas. grassy for place a is It place. special
picnic areas. areas. picnic hot, dry land, towards the Bunya Mountains—and the the Mountains—and Bunya the towards land, dry hot,
Plain . Spy fairy-wrens, finches and scurrying skinks in open open in skinks scurrying and finches fairy-wrens, Spy .
this respect and for care you
over the plains below. below. plains the over
brush turkeys and satin bowerbirds easy to see around around see to easy bowerbirds satin and turkeys brush
hundreds of kilometres along traditional pathways, across across pathways, traditional along kilometres of hundreds Cherry Cherry Westcott and and to head sun more and crowds less For
that ask Corporation Aboriginal
top picnic, or simply enjoy the scenery and panoramic views views panoramic and scenery the enjoy simply or picnic, top
Bunyas; with king parrots, crimson rosellas, kookaburras, kookaburras, rosellas, crimson parrots, king with Bunyas;
They came from the north, south, east and west travelling travelling west and east south, north, the from came They
Peoples Bunya the and Service
displays to learn more about the park. the about more learn to a summer’s day. Delight in a rainforest stroll, a mountain- a stroll, rainforest a in Delight day. summer’s a
There’s more than 210 bird species to tick off your list at the the at list your off tick to species bird 210 than more There’s
Wildlife and Parks Queensland The
outdoor interpretive interpretive outdoor centre visitor park and and the visit to sure Seek refuge from a noisy, busy world or the searing heat of of heat searing the or world busy noisy, a from refuge Seek
sunlight and owls in the dark of night. night. of dark the in owls and sunlight restaurants and accommodation options are nearby. Be Be nearby. are options accommodation and restaurants
—your senses will be nourished here, as will your spirit. your will as here, nourished be will senses —your
overhead. Encounter carpet pythons basking in patches of of patches in basking pythons carpet Encounter overhead.
area, local natural history museum, small grocery store, store, grocery small museum, history natural local area,
Michael O’Connor © Qld Govt Qld © O’Connor Michael Mountains Bunya the like planet the on else nowhere There’s generations.
wedge-tailed eagles soaring, or topknot pigeons wheeling wheeling pigeons topknot or soaring, eagles wedge-tailed entrance for short and long rainforest walks. The camping camping The walks. rainforest long and short for entrance
current to times ancient from people sustained has that landscape
in gullies and streams. Glimpse grey goshawks and and goshawks grey Glimpse streams. and gullies in barbecues, an abundance of colourful birdlife and is the the is and birdlife colourful of abundance an barbecues,
Spy watchful wallabies and soaring birds of prey. Feel the connection to a a to connection the Feel prey. of birds soaring and wallabies watchful Spy
Listen for the songs of forest birds and the croak of frogs frogs of croak the and birds forest of songs the for Listen
Surrounded by bunya pine forest, the picnic area has electric electric has area picnic the forest, pine bunya by Surrounded
waterfalls. tumbling and fungi jewelled tiny parrots, colourful spot ‘bald’,
Dandabah is the most popular spot on the mountain. mountain. the on spot popular most the is
Encounter wildlife Encounter mountain air. Gaze at the stunning panorama from a high-altitude grassland grassland high-altitude a from panorama stunning the at Gaze air. mountain
Enter the world’s largest stand of bunya pines and breathe in fresh, cool cool fresh, in breathe and pines bunya of stand largest world’s the Enter and feel refreshed. refreshed. feel and twinkling stars. Let the spirit of the mountains envelop you, you, envelop mountains the of spirit the Let stars. twinkling
Bunya Mountains National Park National Mountains Bunya
walk through the forest or camp overnight and gaze up at the the at up gaze and overnight camp or forest the through walk
Laze over lunch in a scenic picnic area. Be invigorated by a a by invigorated Be area. picnic scenic a in lunch over Laze
Relax or explore or Relax to Welcome
© Joel Thomas (rigth); © Qld Govt (far right) (far Govt Qld © (rigth); Thomas Joel ©
Satin bowerbird (far right). (far bowerbird Satin Southern boobook owls (right); (right); owls boobook Southern
Queensland National Parks
Further information Step back in time Share cultural connections Stay safe qld.gov.au/NationalParks A walk through the bunya pine forest is like stepping back Feel the connection with a landscape that has been both a The Bunya Mountains has many natural hazards, so be into pre-historic times when ferns were dominant—before sanctuary and a resource for people for thousands of years. careful and don’t take risks. Your safety is our concern qld.gov.au/Camping Bunya the arrival of conifers and flowering plants. but your responsibility. The Bunya Mountains have been revered as a gathering qld.gov.au/ParkAlerts With crowns that emerge above the forest canopy, hoop place for countless generations—the landscape’s bounty • Pack warm clothing and raincoats as weather is changeable. (access, closures and conditions) King orchid (above); Mountains Honeyeaters and insects are drawn pines and bunya pines have ancient connections. These shared between local and visiting Aboriginal groups. • Avoid contact with leaves of stinging trees, stinging nettles qldnationalparks Scan to check to grasstrees at the mountain edge (right). park alerts trees are not true pines but belong to the Araucariaceae Take time to respect strong and enduring cultural connections. Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt (above/right) and other prickly shrubs. National Park @QldParks; #QldParks family—a dominant feature of Australia’s forests in wetter Imagine the shouts of ‘Timber!’ echoing through the forest • Wear long sleeves, long trousers, sturdy walking shoes, times. Ancestors of hoop and bunya pines were widespread This brochure is also available online while for almost a century loggers cut and hauled forest giants a hat and insect repellent. Check regularly for ticks. across the globe at the time of dinosaurs, about 200 million at qld.gov.au/ParkBrochures from the mountain top to supply markets for building products. • Take care on rocks, near waterfalls and at lookouts. years ago. Today bunya pines grow naturally in only a few • Supervise children closely. Ensure they do not run ahead Check road conditions before you visit locations, and the largest stand anywhere on Earth is here Appreciate the hardships faced by early settlers and by Behold nature out of sight. Remind children to wait at track junctions at qldtraffic.qld.gov.au or phone 13 19 40. at the Bunya Mountains. visitors who, long before there were proper roads, travelled Discover how rainfall, aspect, elevation and fire create a to the Bunyas to revel in the scenery and to relax. We are so they don’t take a wrong turn; and to stay put if they Bunya pines grow on the moister areas along the range crest fascinating mix of forest types across the Bunya Mountains. fortunate that some lobbied hard to ensure these mountains become lost or unsure where they are. where you can recognise their distinctive dome-shaped Kingaroy were protected for all in an amazing national park gazetted • Take extra care when walking or driving in rainy, windy or Bunya Rainforest covers most of the park—9 different types. crowns. In summer you will see many large soccer ball-sized Mountains in 1908. foggy conditions. Be awed by the raw majesty of moist subtropical rainforests bunya cones with 50–100 ‘nuts’ surrounded by a thick, National Park Nanango • Falling trees and limbs, flash flooding and landslips occur Kumbia where bunya pines and huge strangler figs emerge above fleshy outer-casing. These heavy cones crash to the forest naturally at any time. Avoid visiting in extreme weather. the canopy of Mowbullan whitewoods, booyongs and red floor where possums, melomys (a native rat) and other Did you know? Maidenwell Yarraman cedars. Marvel at the variety of plants and admire tree • Avoid standing under bunya pines in summer, as this is the animals eat the nuts and help disperse the seeds through Bunya pines develop fruiting cones every year from trunks draped in vines, orchids and epiphytes. You’ll notice time when their heavy cones drop from the canopy above. Bell Blackbutt the forest. Hoop pines grow in drier areas on lower slopes mid-summer to autumn; producing a larger number at lower elevations a change to dry rainforests and vine and have a less rounded crown and light papery, wind- than usual about every 3 years. At a time that aligned Cooyar thickets with prickly plants in the understorey. See scrubs dispersed seeds. with this natural event, large groups of Aboriginal of narrow-leaved bottletrees and brigalow on western and In an emergency Maclagan people would travel along traditional pathways Call Triple Zero (000) from your mobile phone or the northern slopes. Dalby to take part in what is today known as the ‘Bunya pay phone at Dandabah. Mobile coverage is unreliable, Crows Nest In stark contrast to the lush, shady rainforest, open areas Festival’ lasting up to several months. The edible but you can often get a signal near Mount Mowbullan of natural grassland balds containing the vulnerable Bunya nuts of the bunya pine were a ceremonial food of or the park visitor centre. Hampton Jondaryan Mountains bluegrass are dotted across the mountains. great significance—and remain so today. Oakey You’ll sometimes see fires being used to prevent these Gatton endangered ecosystems being overtaken by woodland Scale 0 20 40km or rainforest plants. Visit a bald and you might spot a rare Toowoomba Bunya sunskink—they don’t live anywhere else.
Venture out to exposed ridges and the sunny western cliff-line to find open forests and woodlands splashed with the colours and textures of forest red gums and stringybarks growing ©State of Queensland 2021. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, above wattles, grasstrees and other flowering shrubs. Department of Environment and Science. Bp0069 March 2021. Large-leaved stinging trees sprout where Printed on eco-friendly paper to save energy and resources. a hole in the canopy lets in sunlight. Photos: © Lise Pedersen (cover); Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt (above) Michael O’Connor © Qld Govt Michael O’Connor © Qld Govt Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt Michael O’Connor © Qld Govt
Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt Qld © Ashdown Robert ©Tourism and Events Qld Events and ©Tourism Smith Karen © Qld Events and ©Tourism (Ranger) Govt Qld © Ashdown Robert nd); (Backgrou Qld Events and Tourism
tadpoles of great barred frogs barred great of tadpoles
Peek in rock pools for the huge huge the for pools rock in Peek and buses. buses. and
Ranger Kelvin Ranger
Discretion is urged with respect to caravans, motorhomes motorhomes caravans, to respect with urged is Discretion
discover and treasure in Queensland’s second oldest national park. national oldest second Queensland’s in treasure and discover
and narrow and not suitable for long and/or heavy vehicles. vehicles. heavy and/or long for suitable not and narrow and
possums foraging in tree tops. tree in foraging possums
stories of the past and enduring cultural connections, there are so many things to to things many so are there connections, cultural enduring and past the of stories
All access roads to the Bunya Mountains are steep, winding winding steep, are Mountains Bunya the to roads access All
in leaf litter or brushtail and ringtail ringtail and brushtail or litter leaf in
still amazes me. From forest giants to tiny blossoms, endangered ecosystems to to ecosystems endangered blossoms, tiny to giants forest From me. amazes still
bandicoots and antechinus fossicking fossicking antechinus and bandicoots
surrounding farmlands to this very special place. place. special very this to farmlands surrounding After 20 years working in this park, its ageless diversity and raw majesty of nature nature of majesty raw and diversity ageless its park, this in working years 20 After
spot might you torchlight by Then,
Kingaroy, Nanango or Yarraman to rise up from the plains and and plains the from up rise to Yarraman or Nanango Kingaroy, These mist-covered mountains are a world away from the surrounding countryside. countryside. surrounding the from away world a are mountains mist-covered These
Follow the Great Bunya Drive signs from Dalby, Jondaryan, Jondaryan, Dalby, from signs Drive Bunya Great the Follow Australia’s largest known maternity colony. maternity known largest Australia’s
bats from the old timber school house at Dandabah— at house school timber old the from bats
of Brisbane and 125km north-west of Toowoomba. Toowoomba. of north-west 125km and Brisbane of
warmer months for the sunset flight of tiny chocolate wattled wattled chocolate tiny of flight sunset the for months warmer
Bunya Mountains National Park is about 200km north-west north-west 200km about is Park National Mountains Bunya
them just off the road heading south towards Dalby. Dalby. towards south heading road the off just them
warm, spring evenings at dusk. Wait with anticipation in in anticipation with Wait dusk. at evenings spring warm, Follow the Great Bunya Drive Bunya Great the Follow
areas. They are not featured in this guide, but you’ll find find you’ll but guide, this in featured not are They areas.
Be enchanted by fireflies flickering through the forest on on forest the through flickering fireflies by enchanted Be
Council, also offers several walks, lookouts and picnic picnic and lookouts walks, several offers also Council,
koalas overhead. koalas Russell Park Russell , managed by the Western Downs Regional Regional Downs Western the by managed ,
Burton’s legless lizards scurrying off the track and watch for for watch and track the off scurrying lizards legless Burton’s
refuge for us all. us for refuge
thousands of years. of thousands views to the east. east. the to views
necked wallabies laze on the grass. Glimpse skinks and and skinks Glimpse grass. the on laze wallabies necked © Bruce Thomson Bruce ©
Today the Bunya Mountains are a gathering place and and place gathering a are Mountains Bunya the Today
King parrot King have been gathering for for gathering been have overnight. Admire magnificent grasstrees and panoramic panoramic and grasstrees magnificent Admire overnight.
honeyeaters forage among leaves and flowers, and red- and flowers, and leaves among forage honeyeaters
or just yourself, where people people where yourself, just or the shelter shed or shade of stately stringybarks; or camp camp or stringybarks; stately of shade or shed shelter the
and to receive strength from Mother Earth. Mother from strength receive to and Out in the open forest, grey fantails, tree-creepers and and tree-creepers fantails, grey forest, open the in Out
Reconnect with family, friends, friends, family, with Reconnect water for bullocks and horses. Relax nearby over a picnic in in picnic a over nearby Relax horses. and bullocks for water
stories, settle disputes, pass on wisdom, marry, trade trade marry, wisdom, on pass disputes, settle stories,
canopy above. above. canopy
natural spring excavated in the early 1900s to provide clean clean provide to 1900s early the in excavated spring natural
swoop to a nearby branch. branch. nearby a to swoop
celebrate the bounty of the bunya nut harvest—to share share harvest—to nut bunya the of bounty the celebrate
land snails, or birds have dropped partly-eaten fruit from the the from fruit partly-eaten dropped have birds or snails, land Burtons Well Burtons
, a a , historic is entrance northern park’s the Near
inquisitive satin bowerbirds bowerbirds satin inquisitive
For generations Aboriginal peoples gathered to feast and and feast to gathered peoples Aboriginal generations For for tell-tale signs where noisy pittas have been feasting on on feasting been have pittas noisy where signs tell-tale for
as colourful parrots and and parrots colourful as Plain. Westcott has wood barbecues and a small camping area. camping small a and barbecues wood has Westcott Plain. future generations. future
pademelons deep inside the rainforest. Scan the forest floor floor forest the Scan rainforest. the inside deep pademelons
nourishing flesh of bunya nuts. bunya of flesh nourishing
crimson, green or blue blue or green crimson, dry rainforest gully a short distance along the track from Cherry Cherry from track the along distance short a gully rainforest dry for and now enjoy—for to all us
Watch for green catbirds, paradise rifle-birds and red-legged red-legged and rifle-birds paradise catbirds, green for Watch
promise of cool forests, cold mountain streams and the the and streams mountain cold forests, cool of promise
Catch a brilliant flash of of flash brilliant a Catch grassy areas. Look for shy black-breasted button-quails in the the in button-quails black-breasted shy for Look areas. grassy for place a is It place. special
picnic areas. areas. picnic hot, dry land, towards the Bunya Mountains—and the the Mountains—and Bunya the towards land, dry hot,
Plain . Spy fairy-wrens, finches and scurrying skinks in open open in skinks scurrying and finches fairy-wrens, Spy .
this respect and for care you
over the plains below. below. plains the over
brush turkeys and satin bowerbirds easy to see around around see to easy bowerbirds satin and turkeys brush
hundreds of kilometres along traditional pathways, across across pathways, traditional along kilometres of hundreds Cherry Cherry Westcott and and to head sun more and crowds less For
that ask Corporation Aboriginal
top picnic, or simply enjoy the scenery and panoramic views views panoramic and scenery the enjoy simply or picnic, top
Bunyas; with king parrots, crimson rosellas, kookaburras, kookaburras, rosellas, crimson parrots, king with Bunyas;
They came from the north, south, east and west travelling travelling west and east south, north, the from came They
Peoples Bunya the and Service
displays to learn more about the park. the about more learn to a summer’s day. Delight in a rainforest stroll, a mountain- a stroll, rainforest a in Delight day. summer’s a
There’s more than 210 bird species to tick off your list at the the at list your off tick to species bird 210 than more There’s
Wildlife and Parks Queensland The
outdoor interpretive interpretive outdoor centre visitor park and and the visit to sure Seek refuge from a noisy, busy world or the searing heat of of heat searing the or world busy noisy, a from refuge Seek
sunlight and owls in the dark of night. night. of dark the in owls and sunlight
restaurants and accommodation options are nearby. Be Be nearby. are options accommodation and restaurants
—your senses will be nourished here, as will your spirit. your will as here, nourished be will senses —your
overhead. Encounter carpet pythons basking in patches of of patches in basking pythons carpet Encounter overhead.
area, local natural history museum, small grocery store, store, grocery small museum, history natural local area,
Michael O’Connor © Qld Govt Qld © O’Connor Michael Mountains Bunya the like planet the on else nowhere There’s generations.
wedge-tailed eagles soaring, or topknot pigeons wheeling wheeling pigeons topknot or soaring, eagles wedge-tailed
entrance for short and long rainforest walks. The camping camping The walks. rainforest long and short for entrance
current to times ancient from people sustained has that landscape
in gullies and streams. Glimpse grey goshawks and and goshawks grey Glimpse streams. and gullies in
barbecues, an abundance of colourful birdlife and is the the is and birdlife colourful of abundance an barbecues,
Spy watchful wallabies and soaring birds of prey. Feel the connection to a a to connection the Feel prey. of birds soaring and wallabies watchful Spy
Listen for the songs of forest birds and the croak of frogs frogs of croak the and birds forest of songs the for Listen
Surrounded by bunya pine forest, the picnic area has electric electric has area picnic the forest, pine bunya by Surrounded
waterfalls. tumbling and fungi jewelled tiny parrots, colourful spot ‘bald’,
Dandabah is the most popular spot on the mountain. mountain. the on spot popular most the is
Encounter wildlife Encounter mountain air. Gaze at the stunning panorama from a high-altitude grassland grassland high-altitude a from panorama stunning the at Gaze air. mountain
Enter the world’s largest stand of bunya pines and breathe in fresh, cool cool fresh, in breathe and pines bunya of stand largest world’s the Enter and feel refreshed. refreshed. feel and
twinkling stars. Let the spirit of the mountains envelop you, you, envelop mountains the of spirit the Let stars. twinkling
Bunya Mountains National Park National Mountains Bunya
walk through the forest or camp overnight and gaze up at the the at up gaze and overnight camp or forest the through walk
Laze over lunch in a scenic picnic area. Be invigorated by a a by invigorated Be area. picnic scenic a in lunch over Laze
Relax or explore or Relax to Welcome
© Joel Thomas (rigth); © Qld Govt (far right) (far Govt Qld © (rigth); Thomas Joel ©
Satin bowerbird (far right). (far bowerbird Satin Southern boobook owls (right); (right); owls boobook Southern
Queensland National Parks
Further information Step back in time Share cultural connections Stay safe qld.gov.au/NationalParks A walk through the bunya pine forest is like stepping back Feel the connection with a landscape that has been both a The Bunya Mountains has many natural hazards, so be into pre-historic times when ferns were dominant—before sanctuary and a resource for people for thousands of years. careful and don’t take risks. Your safety is our concern qld.gov.au/Camping Bunya the arrival of conifers and flowering plants. but your responsibility. The Bunya Mountains have been revered as a gathering qld.gov.au/ParkAlerts With crowns that emerge above the forest canopy, hoop place for countless generations—the landscape’s bounty • Pack warm clothing and raincoats as weather is changeable. (access, closures and conditions) King orchid (above); Mountains Honeyeaters and insects are drawn pines and bunya pines have ancient connections. These shared between local and visiting Aboriginal groups. • Avoid contact with leaves of stinging trees, stinging nettles qldnationalparks Scan to check to grasstrees at the mountain edge (right). park alerts trees are not true pines but belong to the Araucariaceae Take time to respect strong and enduring cultural connections. Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt (above/right) and other prickly shrubs. National Park @QldParks; #QldParks family—a dominant feature of Australia’s forests in wetter Imagine the shouts of ‘Timber!’ echoing through the forest • Wear long sleeves, long trousers, sturdy walking shoes, times. Ancestors of hoop and bunya pines were widespread This brochure is also available online while for almost a century loggers cut and hauled forest giants a hat and insect repellent. Check regularly for ticks. across the globe at the time of dinosaurs, about 200 million at qld.gov.au/ParkBrochures from the mountain top to supply markets for building products. • Take care on rocks, near waterfalls and at lookouts. years ago. Today bunya pines grow naturally in only a few • Supervise children closely. Ensure they do not run ahead Check road conditions before you visit locations, and the largest stand anywhere on Earth is here Appreciate the hardships faced by early settlers and by Behold nature out of sight. Remind children to wait at track junctions at qldtraffic.qld.gov.au or phone 13 19 40. at the Bunya Mountains. visitors who, long before there were proper roads, travelled Discover how rainfall, aspect, elevation and fire create a to the Bunyas to revel in the scenery and to relax. We are so they don’t take a wrong turn; and to stay put if they Bunya pines grow on the moister areas along the range crest fascinating mix of forest types across the Bunya Mountains. fortunate that some lobbied hard to ensure these mountains become lost or unsure where they are. where you can recognise their distinctive dome-shaped Kingaroy were protected for all in an amazing national park gazetted • Take extra care when walking or driving in rainy, windy or Bunya Rainforest covers most of the park—9 different types. crowns. In summer you will see many large soccer ball-sized Mountains in 1908. foggy conditions. Be awed by the raw majesty of moist subtropical rainforests bunya cones with 50–100 ‘nuts’ surrounded by a thick, National Park Nanango • Falling trees and limbs, flash flooding and landslips occur Kumbia where bunya pines and huge strangler figs emerge above fleshy outer-casing. These heavy cones crash to the forest naturally at any time. Avoid visiting in extreme weather. the canopy of Mowbullan whitewoods, booyongs and red floor where possums, melomys (a native rat) and other Did you know? Maidenwell Yarraman cedars. Marvel at the variety of plants and admire tree • Avoid standing under bunya pines in summer, as this is the animals eat the nuts and help disperse the seeds through Bunya pines develop fruiting cones every year from trunks draped in vines, orchids and epiphytes. You’ll notice time when their heavy cones drop from the canopy above. Bell Blackbutt the forest. Hoop pines grow in drier areas on lower slopes mid-summer to autumn; producing a larger number at lower elevations a change to dry rainforests and vine and have a less rounded crown and light papery, wind- than usual about every 3 years. At a time that aligned Cooyar thickets with prickly plants in the understorey. See scrubs dispersed seeds. with this natural event, large groups of Aboriginal of narrow-leaved bottletrees and brigalow on western and In an emergency Maclagan people would travel along traditional pathways Call Triple Zero (000) from your mobile phone or the northern slopes. Dalby to take part in what is today known as the ‘Bunya pay phone at Dandabah. Mobile coverage is unreliable, Crows Nest In stark contrast to the lush, shady rainforest, open areas Festival’ lasting up to several months. The edible but you can often get a signal near Mount Mowbullan of natural grassland balds containing the vulnerable Bunya nuts of the bunya pine were a ceremonial food of or the park visitor centre. Hampton Jondaryan Mountains bluegrass are dotted across the mountains. great significance—and remain so today. Oakey You’ll sometimes see fires being used to prevent these Gatton endangered ecosystems being overtaken by woodland Scale 0 20 40km or rainforest plants. Visit a bald and you might spot a rare Toowoomba Bunya sunskink—they don’t live anywhere else.
Venture out to exposed ridges and the sunny western cliff-line to find open forests and woodlands splashed with the colours and textures of forest red gums and stringybarks growing ©State of Queensland 2021. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, above wattles, grasstrees and other flowering shrubs. Department of Environment and Science. Bp0069 March 2021. Large-leaved stinging trees sprout where Printed on eco-friendly paper to save energy and resources. a hole in the canopy lets in sunlight. Photos: © Lise Pedersen (cover); Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt (above) Michael O’Connor © Qld Govt Michael O’Connor © Qld Govt Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt Michael O’Connor © Qld Govt
Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt Qld © Ashdown Robert ©Tourism and Events Qld Events and ©Tourism Smith Karen © Qld Events and ©Tourism (Ranger) Govt Qld © Ashdown Robert nd); (Backgrou Qld Events and Tourism
tadpoles of great barred frogs barred great of tadpoles
Peek in rock pools for the huge huge the for pools rock in Peek and buses. buses. and
Ranger Kelvin Ranger
Discretion is urged with respect to caravans, motorhomes motorhomes caravans, to respect with urged is Discretion
discover and treasure in Queensland’s second oldest national park. national oldest second Queensland’s in treasure and discover
and narrow and not suitable for long and/or heavy vehicles. vehicles. heavy and/or long for suitable not and narrow and
possums foraging in tree tops. tree in foraging possums
stories of the past and enduring cultural connections, there are so many things to to things many so are there connections, cultural enduring and past the of stories
All access roads to the Bunya Mountains are steep, winding winding steep, are Mountains Bunya the to roads access All
in leaf litter or brushtail and ringtail ringtail and brushtail or litter leaf in
still amazes me. From forest giants to tiny blossoms, endangered ecosystems to to ecosystems endangered blossoms, tiny to giants forest From me. amazes still
bandicoots and antechinus fossicking fossicking antechinus and bandicoots
surrounding farmlands to this very special place. place. special very this to farmlands surrounding After 20 years working in this park, its ageless diversity and raw majesty of nature nature of majesty raw and diversity ageless its park, this in working years 20 After
spot might you torchlight by Then,
Kingaroy, Nanango or Yarraman to rise up from the plains and and plains the from up rise to Yarraman or Nanango Kingaroy, These mist-covered mountains are a world away from the surrounding countryside. countryside. surrounding the from away world a are mountains mist-covered These
Follow the Great Bunya Drive signs from Dalby, Jondaryan, Jondaryan, Dalby, from signs Drive Bunya Great the Follow Australia’s largest known maternity colony. maternity known largest Australia’s
bats from the old timber school house at Dandabah— at house school timber old the from bats
of Brisbane and 125km north-west of Toowoomba. Toowoomba. of north-west 125km and Brisbane of
warmer months for the sunset flight of tiny chocolate wattled wattled chocolate tiny of flight sunset the for months warmer
Bunya Mountains National Park is about 200km north-west north-west 200km about is Park National Mountains Bunya
them just off the road heading south towards Dalby. Dalby. towards south heading road the off just them
warm, spring evenings at dusk. Wait with anticipation in in anticipation with Wait dusk. at evenings spring warm, Follow the Great Bunya Drive Bunya Great the Follow
areas. They are not featured in this guide, but you’ll find find you’ll but guide, this in featured not are They areas.
Be enchanted by fireflies flickering through the forest on on forest the through flickering fireflies by enchanted Be
Council, also offers several walks, lookouts and picnic picnic and lookouts walks, several offers also Council,
koalas overhead. koalas Russell Park Russell , managed by the Western Downs Regional Regional Downs Western the by managed ,
Burton’s legless lizards scurrying off the track and watch for for watch and track the off scurrying lizards legless Burton’s
refuge for us all. us for refuge
thousands of years. of thousands views to the east. east. the to views
necked wallabies laze on the grass. Glimpse skinks and and skinks Glimpse grass. the on laze wallabies necked © Bruce Thomson Bruce ©
Today the Bunya Mountains are a gathering place and and place gathering a are Mountains Bunya the Today
King parrot King have been gathering for for gathering been have overnight. Admire magnificent grasstrees and panoramic panoramic and grasstrees magnificent Admire overnight.
honeyeaters forage among leaves and flowers, and red- and flowers, and leaves among forage honeyeaters
or just yourself, where people people where yourself, just or the shelter shed or shade of stately stringybarks; or camp camp or stringybarks; stately of shade or shed shelter the
and to receive strength from Mother Earth. Mother from strength receive to and Out in the open forest, grey fantails, tree-creepers and and tree-creepers fantails, grey forest, open the in Out
Reconnect with family, friends, friends, family, with Reconnect water for bullocks and horses. Relax nearby over a picnic in in picnic a over nearby Relax horses. and bullocks for water
stories, settle disputes, pass on wisdom, marry, trade trade marry, wisdom, on pass disputes, settle stories,
canopy above. above. canopy
natural spring excavated in the early 1900s to provide clean clean provide to 1900s early the in excavated spring natural
swoop to a nearby branch. branch. nearby a to swoop
celebrate the bounty of the bunya nut harvest—to share share harvest—to nut bunya the of bounty the celebrate
land snails, or birds have dropped partly-eaten fruit from the the from fruit partly-eaten dropped have birds or snails, land Burtons Well Burtons
, a a , historic is entrance northern park’s the Near
inquisitive satin bowerbirds bowerbirds satin inquisitive
For generations Aboriginal peoples gathered to feast and and feast to gathered peoples Aboriginal generations For for tell-tale signs where noisy pittas have been feasting on on feasting been have pittas noisy where signs tell-tale for
as colourful parrots and and parrots colourful as Plain. Westcott has wood barbecues and a small camping area. camping small a and barbecues wood has Westcott Plain. future generations. future
pademelons deep inside the rainforest. Scan the forest floor floor forest the Scan rainforest. the inside deep pademelons
nourishing flesh of bunya nuts. bunya of flesh nourishing
crimson, green or blue blue or green crimson, dry rainforest gully a short distance along the track from Cherry Cherry from track the along distance short a gully rainforest dry for and now enjoy—for to all us
Watch for green catbirds, paradise rifle-birds and red-legged red-legged and rifle-birds paradise catbirds, green for Watch
promise of cool forests, cold mountain streams and the the and streams mountain cold forests, cool of promise
Catch a brilliant flash of of flash brilliant a Catch grassy areas. Look for shy black-breasted button-quails in the the in button-quails black-breasted shy for Look areas. grassy for place a is It place. special
picnic areas. areas. picnic hot, dry land, towards the Bunya Mountains—and the the Mountains—and Bunya the towards land, dry hot,
Plain . Spy fairy-wrens, finches and scurrying skinks in open open in skinks scurrying and finches fairy-wrens, Spy .
this respect and for care you
over the plains below. below. plains the over
brush turkeys and satin bowerbirds easy to see around around see to easy bowerbirds satin and turkeys brush
hundreds of kilometres along traditional pathways, across across pathways, traditional along kilometres of hundreds Cherry Cherry Westcott and and to head sun more and crowds less For
that ask Corporation Aboriginal
top picnic, or simply enjoy the scenery and panoramic views views panoramic and scenery the enjoy simply or picnic, top
Bunyas; with king parrots, crimson rosellas, kookaburras, kookaburras, rosellas, crimson parrots, king with Bunyas;
They came from the north, south, east and west travelling travelling west and east south, north, the from came They
Peoples Bunya the and Service
displays to learn more about the park. the about more learn to a summer’s day. Delight in a rainforest stroll, a mountain- a stroll, rainforest a in Delight day. summer’s a
There’s more than 210 bird species to tick off your list at the the at list your off tick to species bird 210 than more There’s
Wildlife and Parks Queensland The
outdoor interpretive interpretive outdoor centre visitor park and and the visit to sure Seek refuge from a noisy, busy world or the searing heat of of heat searing the or world busy noisy, a from refuge Seek
sunlight and owls in the dark of night. night. of dark the in owls and sunlight
restaurants and accommodation options are nearby. Be Be nearby. are options accommodation and restaurants
—your senses will be nourished here, as will your spirit. your will as here, nourished be will senses —your
overhead. Encounter carpet pythons basking in patches of of patches in basking pythons carpet Encounter overhead.
area, local natural history museum, small grocery store, store, grocery small museum, history natural local area,
Michael O’Connor © Qld Govt Qld © O’Connor Michael Mountains Bunya the like planet the on else nowhere There’s generations.
wedge-tailed eagles soaring, or topknot pigeons wheeling wheeling pigeons topknot or soaring, eagles wedge-tailed
entrance for short and long rainforest walks. The camping camping The walks. rainforest long and short for entrance
current to times ancient from people sustained has that landscape
in gullies and streams. Glimpse grey goshawks and and goshawks grey Glimpse streams. and gullies in
barbecues, an abundance of colourful birdlife and is the the is and birdlife colourful of abundance an barbecues,
Spy watchful wallabies and soaring birds of prey. Feel the connection to a a to connection the Feel prey. of birds soaring and wallabies watchful Spy
Listen for the songs of forest birds and the croak of frogs frogs of croak the and birds forest of songs the for Listen
Surrounded by bunya pine forest, the picnic area has electric electric has area picnic the forest, pine bunya by Surrounded
waterfalls. tumbling and fungi jewelled tiny parrots, colourful spot ‘bald’,
Dandabah is the most popular spot on the mountain. mountain. the on spot popular most the is
Encounter wildlife Encounter mountain air. Gaze at the stunning panorama from a high-altitude grassland grassland high-altitude a from panorama stunning the at Gaze air. mountain
Enter the world’s largest stand of bunya pines and breathe in fresh, cool cool fresh, in breathe and pines bunya of stand largest world’s the Enter and feel refreshed. refreshed. feel and
twinkling stars. Let the spirit of the mountains envelop you, you, envelop mountains the of spirit the Let stars. twinkling
Bunya Mountains National Park National Mountains Bunya
walk through the forest or camp overnight and gaze up at the the at up gaze and overnight camp or forest the through walk
Laze over lunch in a scenic picnic area. Be invigorated by a a by invigorated Be area. picnic scenic a in lunch over Laze
Relax or explore or Relax to Welcome
© Joel Thomas (rigth); © Qld Govt (far right) (far Govt Qld © (rigth); Thomas Joel ©
Satin bowerbird (far right). (far bowerbird Satin Southern boobook owls (right); (right); owls boobook Southern
Queensland National Parks
Further information Step back in time Share cultural connections Stay safe qld.gov.au/NationalParks A walk through the bunya pine forest is like stepping back Feel the connection with a landscape that has been both a The Bunya Mountains has many natural hazards, so be into pre-historic times when ferns were dominant—before sanctuary and a resource for people for thousands of years. careful and don’t take risks. Your safety is our concern qld.gov.au/Camping Bunya the arrival of conifers and flowering plants. but your responsibility. The Bunya Mountains have been revered as a gathering qld.gov.au/ParkAlerts With crowns that emerge above the forest canopy, hoop place for countless generations—the landscape’s bounty • Pack warm clothing and raincoats as weather is changeable. (access, closures and conditions) King orchid (above); Mountains Honeyeaters and insects are drawn pines and bunya pines have ancient connections. These shared between local and visiting Aboriginal groups. • Avoid contact with leaves of stinging trees, stinging nettles qldnationalparks Scan to check to grasstrees at the mountain edge (right). park alerts trees are not true pines but belong to the Araucariaceae Take time to respect strong and enduring cultural connections. Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt (above/right) and other prickly shrubs. National Park @QldParks; #QldParks family—a dominant feature of Australia’s forests in wetter Imagine the shouts of ‘Timber!’ echoing through the forest • Wear long sleeves, long trousers, sturdy walking shoes, times. Ancestors of hoop and bunya pines were widespread This brochure is also available online while for almost a century loggers cut and hauled forest giants a hat and insect repellent. Check regularly for ticks. across the globe at the time of dinosaurs, about 200 million at qld.gov.au/ParkBrochures from the mountain top to supply markets for building products. • Take care on rocks, near waterfalls and at lookouts. years ago. Today bunya pines grow naturally in only a few • Supervise children closely. Ensure they do not run ahead Check road conditions before you visit locations, and the largest stand anywhere on Earth is here Appreciate the hardships faced by early settlers and by Behold nature out of sight. Remind children to wait at track junctions at qldtraffic.qld.gov.au or phone 13 19 40. at the Bunya Mountains. visitors who, long before there were proper roads, travelled Discover how rainfall, aspect, elevation and fire create a to the Bunyas to revel in the scenery and to relax. We are so they don’t take a wrong turn; and to stay put if they Bunya pines grow on the moister areas along the range crest fascinating mix of forest types across the Bunya Mountains. fortunate that some lobbied hard to ensure these mountains become lost or unsure where they are. where you can recognise their distinctive dome-shaped Kingaroy were protected for all in an amazing national park gazetted • Take extra care when walking or driving in rainy, windy or Bunya Rainforest covers most of the park—9 different types. crowns. In summer you will see many large soccer ball-sized Mountains in 1908. foggy conditions. Be awed by the raw majesty of moist subtropical rainforests bunya cones with 50–100 ‘nuts’ surrounded by a thick, National Park Nanango • Falling trees and limbs, flash flooding and landslips occur Kumbia where bunya pines and huge strangler figs emerge above fleshy outer-casing. These heavy cones crash to the forest naturally at any time. Avoid visiting in extreme weather. the canopy of Mowbullan whitewoods, booyongs and red floor where possums, melomys (a native rat) and other Did you know? Maidenwell Yarraman cedars. Marvel at the variety of plants and admire tree • Avoid standing under bunya pines in summer, as this is the animals eat the nuts and help disperse the seeds through Bunya pines develop fruiting cones every year from trunks draped in vines, orchids and epiphytes. You’ll notice time when their heavy cones drop from the canopy above. Bell Blackbutt the forest. Hoop pines grow in drier areas on lower slopes mid-summer to autumn; producing a larger number at lower elevations a change to dry rainforests and vine and have a less rounded crown and light papery, wind- than usual about every 3 years. At a time that aligned Cooyar thickets with prickly plants in the understorey. See scrubs dispersed seeds. with this natural event, large groups of Aboriginal of narrow-leaved bottletrees and brigalow on western and In an emergency Maclagan people would travel along traditional pathways Call Triple Zero (000) from your mobile phone or the northern slopes. Dalby to take part in what is today known as the ‘Bunya pay phone at Dandabah. Mobile coverage is unreliable, Crows Nest In stark contrast to the lush, shady rainforest, open areas Festival’ lasting up to several months. The edible but you can often get a signal near Mount Mowbullan of natural grassland balds containing the vulnerable Bunya nuts of the bunya pine were a ceremonial food of or the park visitor centre. Hampton Jondaryan Mountains bluegrass are dotted across the mountains. great significance—and remain so today. Oakey You’ll sometimes see fires being used to prevent these Gatton endangered ecosystems being overtaken by woodland Scale 0 20 40km or rainforest plants. Visit a bald and you might spot a rare Toowoomba Bunya sunskink—they don’t live anywhere else.
Venture out to exposed ridges and the sunny western cliff-line to find open forests and woodlands splashed with the colours and textures of forest red gums and stringybarks growing ©State of Queensland 2021. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, above wattles, grasstrees and other flowering shrubs. Department of Environment and Science. Bp0069 March 2021. Large-leaved stinging trees sprout where Printed on eco-friendly paper to save energy and resources. a hole in the canopy lets in sunlight. Photos: © Lise Pedersen (cover); Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt (above) Michael O’Connor © Qld Govt Michael O’Connor © Qld Govt Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt Michael O’Connor © Qld Govt
Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt Qld © Ashdown Robert ©Tourism and Events Qld Events and ©Tourism Smith Karen © Qld Events and ©Tourism (Ranger) Govt Qld © Ashdown Robert nd); (Backgrou Qld Events and Tourism
tadpoles of great barred frogs barred great of tadpoles
Peek in rock pools for the huge huge the for pools rock in Peek and buses. buses. and
Ranger Kelvin Ranger
Discretion is urged with respect to caravans, motorhomes motorhomes caravans, to respect with urged is Discretion
discover and treasure in Queensland’s second oldest national park. national oldest second Queensland’s in treasure and discover
and narrow and not suitable for long and/or heavy vehicles. vehicles. heavy and/or long for suitable not and narrow and possums foraging in tree tops. tree in foraging possums
stories of the past and enduring cultural connections, there are so many things to to things many so are there connections, cultural enduring and past the of stories
All access roads to the Bunya Mountains are steep, winding winding steep, are Mountains Bunya the to roads access All in leaf litter or brushtail and ringtail ringtail and brushtail or litter leaf in
still amazes me. From forest giants to tiny blossoms, endangered ecosystems to to ecosystems endangered blossoms, tiny to giants forest From me. amazes still
bandicoots and antechinus fossicking fossicking antechinus and bandicoots
surrounding farmlands to this very special place. place. special very this to farmlands surrounding After 20 years working in this park, its ageless diversity and raw majesty of nature nature of majesty raw and diversity ageless its park, this in working years 20 After
spot might you torchlight by Then,
Kingaroy, Nanango or Yarraman to rise up from the plains and and plains the from up rise to Yarraman or Nanango Kingaroy, These mist-covered mountains are a world away from the surrounding countryside. countryside. surrounding the from away world a are mountains mist-covered These
Follow the Great Bunya Drive signs from Dalby, Jondaryan, Jondaryan, Dalby, from signs Drive Bunya Great the Follow Australia’s largest known maternity colony. maternity known largest Australia’s
bats from the old timber school house at Dandabah— at house school timber old the from bats of Brisbane and 125km north-west of Toowoomba. Toowoomba. of north-west 125km and Brisbane of
warmer months for the sunset flight of tiny chocolate wattled wattled chocolate tiny of flight sunset the for months warmer
Bunya Mountains National Park is about 200km north-west north-west 200km about is Park National Mountains Bunya
them just off the road heading south towards Dalby. Dalby. towards south heading road the off just them
warm, spring evenings at dusk. Wait with anticipation in in anticipation with Wait dusk. at evenings spring warm, Follow the Great Bunya Drive Bunya Great the Follow
areas. They are not featured in this guide, but you’ll find find you’ll but guide, this in featured not are They areas.
Be enchanted by fireflies flickering through the forest on on forest the through flickering fireflies by enchanted Be
Council, also offers several walks, lookouts and picnic picnic and lookouts walks, several offers also Council,
koalas overhead. koalas Russell Park Russell , managed by the Western Downs Regional Regional Downs Western the by managed ,
Burton’s legless lizards scurrying off the track and watch for for watch and track the off scurrying lizards legless Burton’s
refuge for us all. us for refuge
thousands of years. of thousands views to the east. east. the to views
necked wallabies laze on the grass. Glimpse skinks and and skinks Glimpse grass. the on laze wallabies necked © Bruce Thomson Bruce ©
Today the Bunya Mountains are a gathering place and and place gathering a are Mountains Bunya the Today
King parrot King have been gathering for for gathering been have overnight. Admire magnificent grasstrees and panoramic panoramic and grasstrees magnificent Admire overnight. honeyeaters forage among leaves and flowers, and red- and flowers, and leaves among forage honeyeaters
or just yourself, where people people where yourself, just or the shelter shed or shade of stately stringybarks; or camp camp or stringybarks; stately of shade or shed shelter the
and to receive strength from Mother Earth. Mother from strength receive to and Out in the open forest, grey fantails, tree-creepers and and tree-creepers fantails, grey forest, open the in Out
Reconnect with family, friends, friends, family, with Reconnect water for bullocks and horses. Relax nearby over a picnic in in picnic a over nearby Relax horses. and bullocks for water
stories, settle disputes, pass on wisdom, marry, trade trade marry, wisdom, on pass disputes, settle stories,
canopy above. above. canopy natural spring excavated in the early 1900s to provide clean clean provide to 1900s early the in excavated spring natural
swoop to a nearby branch. branch. nearby a to swoop celebrate the bounty of the bunya nut harvest—to share share harvest—to nut bunya the of bounty the celebrate
land snails, or birds have dropped partly-eaten fruit from the the from fruit partly-eaten dropped have birds or snails, land Burtons Well Burtons
, a a , historic is entrance northern park’s the Near
inquisitive satin bowerbirds bowerbirds satin inquisitive
For generations Aboriginal peoples gathered to feast and and feast to gathered peoples Aboriginal generations For for tell-tale signs where noisy pittas have been feasting on on feasting been have pittas noisy where signs tell-tale for
as colourful parrots and and parrots colourful as Plain. Westcott has wood barbecues and a small camping area. camping small a and barbecues wood has Westcott Plain. future generations. future
pademelons deep inside the rainforest. Scan the forest floor floor forest the Scan rainforest. the inside deep pademelons
nourishing flesh of bunya nuts. bunya of flesh nourishing
crimson, green or blue blue or green crimson, dry rainforest gully a short distance along the track from Cherry Cherry from track the along distance short a gully rainforest dry for and now enjoy—for to all us
Watch for green catbirds, paradise rifle-birds and red-legged red-legged and rifle-birds paradise catbirds, green for Watch
promise of cool forests, cold mountain streams and the the and streams mountain cold forests, cool of promise
Catch a brilliant flash of of flash brilliant a Catch grassy areas. Look for shy black-breasted button-quails in the the in button-quails black-breasted shy for Look areas. grassy for place a is It place. special
picnic areas. areas. picnic hot, dry land, towards the Bunya Mountains—and the the Mountains—and Bunya the towards land, dry hot,
Plain . Spy fairy-wrens, finches and scurrying skinks in open open in skinks scurrying and finches fairy-wrens, Spy .
this respect and for care you
over the plains below. below. plains the over
brush turkeys and satin bowerbirds easy to see around around see to easy bowerbirds satin and turkeys brush
hundreds of kilometres along traditional pathways, across across pathways, traditional along kilometres of hundreds Cherry Cherry Westcott and and to head sun more and crowds less For
that ask Corporation Aboriginal
top picnic, or simply enjoy the scenery and panoramic views views panoramic and scenery the enjoy simply or picnic, top
Bunyas; with king parrots, crimson rosellas, kookaburras, kookaburras, rosellas, crimson parrots, king with Bunyas;
They came from the north, south, east and west travelling travelling west and east south, north, the from came They
Peoples Bunya the and Service
displays to learn more about the park. the about more learn to a summer’s day. Delight in a rainforest stroll, a mountain- a stroll, rainforest a in Delight day. summer’s a
There’s more than 210 bird species to tick off your list at the the at list your off tick to species bird 210 than more There’s
Wildlife and Parks Queensland The
outdoor interpretive interpretive outdoor centre visitor park and and the visit to sure Seek refuge from a noisy, busy world or the searing heat of of heat searing the or world busy noisy, a from refuge Seek
sunlight and owls in the dark of night. night. of dark the in owls and sunlight restaurants and accommodation options are nearby. Be Be nearby. are options accommodation and restaurants
—your senses will be nourished here, as will your spirit. your will as here, nourished be will senses —your
overhead. Encounter carpet pythons basking in patches of of patches in basking pythons carpet Encounter overhead.
area, local natural history museum, small grocery store, store, grocery small museum, history natural local area,
Michael O’Connor © Qld Govt Qld © O’Connor Michael Mountains Bunya the like planet the on else nowhere There’s generations.
wedge-tailed eagles soaring, or topknot pigeons wheeling wheeling pigeons topknot or soaring, eagles wedge-tailed entrance for short and long rainforest walks. The camping camping The walks. rainforest long and short for entrance
current to times ancient from people sustained has that landscape
in gullies and streams. Glimpse grey goshawks and and goshawks grey Glimpse streams. and gullies in barbecues, an abundance of colourful birdlife and is the the is and birdlife colourful of abundance an barbecues,
Spy watchful wallabies and soaring birds of prey. Feel the connection to a a to connection the Feel prey. of birds soaring and wallabies watchful Spy
Listen for the songs of forest birds and the croak of frogs frogs of croak the and birds forest of songs the for Listen
Surrounded by bunya pine forest, the picnic area has electric electric has area picnic the forest, pine bunya by Surrounded
waterfalls. tumbling and fungi jewelled tiny parrots, colourful spot ‘bald’,
Dandabah is the most popular spot on the mountain. mountain. the on spot popular most the is
Encounter wildlife Encounter mountain air. Gaze at the stunning panorama from a high-altitude grassland grassland high-altitude a from panorama stunning the at Gaze air. mountain
Enter the world’s largest stand of bunya pines and breathe in fresh, cool cool fresh, in breathe and pines bunya of stand largest world’s the Enter and feel refreshed. refreshed. feel and twinkling stars. Let the spirit of the mountains envelop you, you, envelop mountains the of spirit the Let stars. twinkling
Bunya Mountains National Park National Mountains Bunya
walk through the forest or camp overnight and gaze up at the the at up gaze and overnight camp or forest the through walk
Laze over lunch in a scenic picnic area. Be invigorated by a a by invigorated Be area. picnic scenic a in lunch over Laze
Relax or explore or Relax to Welcome
© Joel Thomas (rigth); © Qld Govt (far right) (far Govt Qld © (rigth); Thomas Joel ©
Satin bowerbird (far right). (far bowerbird Satin Southern boobook owls (right); (right); owls boobook Southern
Queensland National Parks
Further information Step back in time Share cultural connections Stay safe qld.gov.au/NationalParks A walk through the bunya pine forest is like stepping back Feel the connection with a landscape that has been both a The Bunya Mountains has many natural hazards, so be into pre-historic times when ferns were dominant—before sanctuary and a resource for people for thousands of years. careful and don’t take risks. Your safety is our concern qld.gov.au/Camping Bunya the arrival of conifers and flowering plants. but your responsibility. The Bunya Mountains have been revered as a gathering qld.gov.au/ParkAlerts With crowns that emerge above the forest canopy, hoop place for countless generations—the landscape’s bounty • Pack warm clothing and raincoats as weather is changeable. (access, closures and conditions) King orchid (above); Mountains Honeyeaters and insects are drawn pines and bunya pines have ancient connections. These shared between local and visiting Aboriginal groups. • Avoid contact with leaves of stinging trees, stinging nettles qldnationalparks Scan to check to grasstrees at the mountain edge (right). park alerts trees are not true pines but belong to the Araucariaceae Take time to respect strong and enduring cultural connections. Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt (above/right) and other prickly shrubs. National Park @QldParks; #QldParks family—a dominant feature of Australia’s forests in wetter Imagine the shouts of ‘Timber!’ echoing through the forest • Wear long sleeves, long trousers, sturdy walking shoes, times. Ancestors of hoop and bunya pines were widespread This brochure is also available online while for almost a century loggers cut and hauled forest giants a hat and insect repellent. Check regularly for ticks. across the globe at the time of dinosaurs, about 200 million at qld.gov.au/ParkBrochures from the mountain top to supply markets for building products. • Take care on rocks, near waterfalls and at lookouts. years ago. Today bunya pines grow naturally in only a few • Supervise children closely. Ensure they do not run ahead Check road conditions before you visit locations, and the largest stand anywhere on Earth is here Appreciate the hardships faced by early settlers and by Behold nature out of sight. Remind children to wait at track junctions at qldtraffic.qld.gov.au or phone 13 19 40. at the Bunya Mountains. visitors who, long before there were proper roads, travelled Discover how rainfall, aspect, elevation and fire create a to the Bunyas to revel in the scenery and to relax. We are so they don’t take a wrong turn; and to stay put if they Bunya pines grow on the moister areas along the range crest fascinating mix of forest types across the Bunya Mountains. fortunate that some lobbied hard to ensure these mountains become lost or unsure where they are. where you can recognise their distinctive dome-shaped Kingaroy were protected for all in an amazing national park gazetted • Take extra care when walking or driving in rainy, windy or Bunya Rainforest covers most of the park—9 different types. crowns. In summer you will see many large soccer ball-sized Mountains in 1908. foggy conditions. Be awed by the raw majesty of moist subtropical rainforests bunya cones with 50–100 ‘nuts’ surrounded by a thick, National Park Nanango • Falling trees and limbs, flash flooding and landslips occur Kumbia where bunya pines and huge strangler figs emerge above fleshy outer-casing. These heavy cones crash to the forest the canopy of Mowbullan whitewoods, booyongs and red naturally at any time. Avoid visiting in extreme weather. floor where possums, melomys (a native rat) and other une 2 Maidenwell Did you know? d J 01 Yarraman cedars. Marvel at the variety of plants and admire tree • Avoid standing under bunya pines in summer, as this is the te 6 animals eat the nuts and help disperse the seeds through in Bunya pines develop fruiting cones every year from r trunks draped in vines, orchids and epiphytes. You’ll notice time when their heavy cones drop from the canopy above. P Bell Blackbutt the forest. Hoop pines grow in drier areas on lower slopes mid-summer to autumn; producing a larger number at lower elevations a change to dry rainforests and vine and have a less rounded crown and light papery, wind- Cooyar than usual about every 3 years. At a time that aligned thickets with prickly plants in the understorey. See scrubs dispersed seeds. 6 with this natural event, large groups of Aboriginal In an emergency O 1 of narrow-leaved bottletrees and brigalow on western and ct 2 0 Maclagan people would travel along traditional pathways Call Triple Zero (000) from your mobile phone or the northern slopes. Dalby to take part in what is today known as the ‘Bunya pay phone at Dandabah. Mobile coverage is unreliable, Crows Nest In stark contrast to the lush, shady rainforest, open areas Festival’ lasting up to several months. The edible but you can often get a signal near Mount Mowbullan of natural grassland balds containing the vulnerable Bunya nuts of the bunya pine were a ceremonial food of or the park visitor centre. Hampton Jondaryan Mountains bluegrass are dotted across the mountains. great significance—and remain so today. Oakey You’ll sometimes see fires being used to prevent these Gatton endangered ecosystems being overtaken by woodland Scale 0 20 40km or rainforest plants. Visit a bald and you might spot a rare Toowoomba Bunya sunskink—they don’t live anywhere else.
Venture out to exposed ridges and the sunny western cliff-line to find open forests and woodlands splashed with the colours and textures of forest red gums and stringybarks growing ©State of Queensland 2021. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, above wattles, grasstrees and other flowering shrubs. Department of Environment and Science. Bp0069 March 2021. Large-leaved stinging trees sprout where Printed on eco-friendly paper to save energy and resources. a hole in the canopy lets in sunlight. Photos: © Lise Pedersen (cover); Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt (above) Michael O’Connor © Qld Govt Michael O’Connor © Qld Govt Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt Michael O’Connor © Qld Govt Scale To Kingaroy 0 0.5 1 1.5km Legend Explore on foot Stay a while
National park Information Barbecue—coin Caravan Be enticed into the cool, inviting rainforest to wander amid towering trees, breathe moist mountain air and feel your body, mind and Take refuge from a busy world and discover what the Bunya Restricted access area Parking Short easy walk Showers spirit being replenished. The park’s 35km of walking tracks weave in and out of rainforest, vine scrub, eucalypt forest and grasslands Mountains mean to you. Be surrounded by nature at one 10 and offer stunning mountain views and plentiful wildlife. Delight in a short stroll or truly escape on a longer, more challenging hike. of three national park camping areas. Book your camp site Creek Park office Natural viewpoint Accommodation well in advance at qld.gov.au/Camping, especially for stays Cliff line Toilets Constructed lookout Restaurant Eastern Rainforest tracks (map references 1–5) during school holidays. Mount Kiangarow Sealed road Wheelchair access Camping Telephone Enter at Dandabah or Paradise and venture deep into the rainforest past trickling streams to find tumbling waterfalls and impressive 1135m Or, indulge and stay at one of the many holiday houses views to the east. Class 3 walking track Picnic area Camping—car access Mountain peak or cosy cabins just outside the national park: visit Water— Burtons Well Class 4 walking track Sheltered picnic table Camper trailer treat before drinking Entry to this area is currently prohibited while the Queensland Parks and Wildlife southernqueenslandcountry.com.au or search the 1 Bunya Bunya CLOSED Barbecue—wood Motorhome track Service works to manage the cause of tree deaths on this section of track. internet for options. Admire towering bunya pines and hoop pines, charming rock pools and giant strangler figs. Feel the spray of water tumbling over Festoon and Tim Shea falls Places to camp Bunya Mountains Dandabah To Paradise Falls 5 To Tim 4km return National Park and soak up warm sunshine and stunning views at Pine Gorge Lookout. If time 1 Shea Falls 2 Scenic circuit (Allow 1hr 20min) Dandabah B is short, walk in an anti-clockwise direction and turn back at Festoon Falls or u n y Pine Gorge Lookout. a M o To Share this grassy space with red-necked wallabies and let u Listen for green catbirds and wompoo fruit-doves as you wind through arguably n t Festoon a the kids loose while you watch birds or unwind beneath a Ghinghion i 10km return the most exceptional bunya pine rainforest on the planet. Watch for carpet n Falls Barker Creek Lookout s 3 backdrop of dome-crowned bunya pines. Close to walking R circuit (Allow 3–4hr) pythons basking in the sunshine of a grassy bald or patch of eucalypt forest o a 2 d Museum and take the short detour to Big Falls Lookout. tracks and with the convenience of a small general store,
Learn from signs about different rainforest trees as you meander along Barker public phone, restaurants and holiday houses 9 Creek past Paradise Falls and Little Falls and on towards Big Falls and Barker nearby, this is a popular place to stay. Cherry Plain 5.4km return 4 Barker Creek Creek lookouts. Rest on the grassy bald above Big Falls and gaze out over the Lookout (Allow 2hr) falls and valleys filled with hoop pines. The true splendour of Big Falls is only Westcott Bottle revealed after heavy rain. Tree Bluff 3km one way Enjoy a wonderful easy walk through spectacular rainforest with huge bunya Relax away from the crowds at the forest edge with sunset Scale 5 Dandabah to (Allow 1hr) 0 100 200m Paradise pines. This is a great walk to do on its own or as part of the Barker Creek circuit. views over distant plains. Keep watch for all 3 of Bunya 8 (6km return, 2hr) Mountains’ fairy-wren species—variegated, red-backed Cherry Plain Lookout and superb blue.
Western walks (map references 6–10) Burtons Well Vegetation and scenery change as you head out to the western escarpment or rise to the mountains’ highest peak. Most of these ii da Barker Creek on Big tracks start and finish at picnic areas along the bitumen road and can be linked together to make a longer walk. To avoid a long o ek Lookout K re Westcott C 7 Falls return trip, park a car at an exit point or arrange to be picked up. Wake to spectacular sunrises and an amazing morning chorus 4 of birds sharing your hillside camp. Marvel at giant grasstrees Koondaii Little Big Falls Be captivated by magnificent rainforest, cross Little Pocket (a small high- Lookout Falls 3.2km one-way several hundred years old and stringybarks towering over Lookout altitude grassland bald) then head to the exposed western escarpment and 6 Paradise to (Allow 1hr 15min) wattles, grasstrees and other shrubs on an exposed ridge Westcott views over the Darling Downs. Arrange to be picked up at the end, retrace your Paradise 3 (6.4km return, 2.5hr) adjacent to rainforest. Look for eastern whipbrids, finches and Falls Pine Gorge steps or continue to Cherry Plain picnic area. Lookout honeyeaters by day, and possums and gliders by night. Views towards Bell, Dalby and open plains in the distance reward your steep reek Paradise e C Tim Shea -tre 2.5km return descent zig-zagging in and out of open forest to Koondaii Lookout. Delight in Westcliff le Koondaii Ranger favourites d 7 Lookout Falls d a circuit (Allow 1hr) the carpet of velvety-pink lacebark flowers covering rainforest sections of track S Tick alert in late summer. It’s easier to walk this circuit in a clockwise direction. It’s great seeing visitors with such big 5 Festoon Falls Ticks are active all year round and can cause 6 Follow the cliff line where shady rainforest gives way to sunny eucalypt-clad smiles enjoying our iconic park. From the 2 severe allergic reactions or serious illness. Wear insect 1 4.8km one-way ridges with sweeping views. See brown quail and skinks in areas of thick repellent and check yourself and children regularly birds and wallabies, to the walks and Westcott to 8 (Allow 1.5–2 hr) tussocky grass and marvel at elaborate golden blossoms of king orchids for ticks. views, there’s nothing like spending See Dandabah inset Cherry Plain (9.6km return, 3–4hr) adorning cliff edges in spring. Return the same way, arrange to be picked up time in the Bunya Mountains. or link to another track. Ranger Owen Bunya Mountains e Stretch your legs along the Bunya Mountain’s western edge. Wind in and out u National Park n 6km one-way of rainforest, vine scrub and open forest, revelling in bird song and stopping Help protect the bunya mountains ve Cherry Plain A 9 ya to Burtons (Allow 2hr) at lookouts to gaze at the view or watch soaring wedge-tailed eagles. • Leave your pets at home—domestic animals un B Well (12km return, 4 hr) Arrange a pick-up at the end, retrace your steps or extend your walk further are not permitted in national parks. by adding another track. • Let wildlife be wild. Never feed birds, wallabies or
Mount Mowbullan Climb gradually to the Bunya Mountain’s highest peak and the impressive other wildlife. This upsets the balance of nature and 1101m avenue of tall grass trees and views from the summit. Listen for the distinctive can cause animals to become aggressive. To Dalby 2.3km return two-part ‘whip-crack’ call of eastern whipbirds and be thrilled at the sight of 10 Mount • Take your rubbish with you when you leave—what Kiangarow (Allow 1hr) grey goshawks whooshing over the forest canopy. Time your walk for sunrise you bring in, you take out. or sunset and be mesmerised by the changing hues of light creeping across mountains and plains. • Do frogs a favour: stay out of creeks and don’t disturb tadpoles, remove rocks or trample vegetation. • Clean your boots, clothes and equipment of soil Kids enjoying time and seeds before and after you visit and help stop in nature (above). Walking safely Bunya pines in fog (right); the spread of weeds and harmful organisms ©Tourism and Events Qld Plan your walks so that you will be safe and have a great time. Take drinking water and nutritious snacks; wear a hat and sturdy (above); Brett Roberts (such as Phytophthora). © Qld Govt (right) ankle-supporting footwear. Keep to tracks and watch your step near cliff edges or on slippery muddy tracks. Please carry this map and keep children close so they do not take a wrong turn.
Walking track classifications To see mist swirling around the mountain tops Protect bunya pines for future times and the diversity of so many vegetation types Grade Symbol Suits Track description Use the washdown stations at track entrances to and animals in one area is simply spectacular. Most ages and fitness levels. Well-defined tracks may have short steep hill sections, a rough prevent the spread of potentially pathogen-containing Ranger Tony 3 Some bushwalking experience surface and many steps. Tracks may have obstacles and be soil on boots and equipment into the park, and from Dandabah camping area recommended. partly overgrown. Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt the Bunya Mountains to other areas. I like the sudden contrast of stepping from Colourful birds are never far away Tracks may be extensively overgrown, rough and very steep. Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt Experienced bushwalkers with Phytophthora (a microscopic, disease-causing plant the cool, dark rainforest into the warm, bright 4 Caution is needed near cliff edges and naturally–occurring moderate levels of fitness. pathogen) has been found in the soil where groups of sunlight of an open grassy bald. lookouts. bunya pines have died. Limiting the spread of soil is Ranger Martin currently our best chance of protecting bunya pines.
Fallen lacebark flowers on Koondaii circuit © Bruce Thomson
Barker Creek Lookout track (bottom). Red-necked wallaby Karen Smith © Qld Govt (above); Robert Ashdown Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt (bottom) Maxime Coquard © Tourism and Events Qld © Qld Govt (right); © Bruce Thomson (far right) Scale To Kingaroy 0 0.5 1 1.5km Legend Explore on foot Stay a while
National park Information Barbecue—coin Caravan Be enticed into the cool, inviting rainforest to wander amid towering trees, breathe moist mountain air and feel your body, mind and Take refuge from a busy world and discover what the Bunya Restricted access area Parking Short easy walk Showers spirit being replenished. The park’s 35km of walking tracks weave in and out of rainforest, vine scrub, eucalypt forest and grasslands Mountains mean to you. Be surrounded by nature at one 10 and offer stunning mountain views and plentiful wildlife. Delight in a short stroll or truly escape on a longer, more challenging hike. of three national park camping areas. Book your camp site Creek Park office Natural viewpoint Accommodation well in advance at qld.gov.au/Camping, especially for stays Cliff line Toilets Constructed lookout Restaurant Eastern Rainforest tracks (map references 1–5) during school holidays. Mount Kiangarow Sealed road Wheelchair access Camping Telephone Enter at Dandabah or Paradise and venture deep into the rainforest past trickling streams to find tumbling waterfalls and impressive 1135m Or, indulge and stay at one of the many holiday houses views to the east. Class 3 walking track Picnic area Camping—car access Mountain peak or cosy cabins just outside the national park: visit Water— Burtons Well Class 4 walking track Sheltered picnic table Camper trailer treat before drinking Entry to this area is currently prohibited while the Queensland Parks and Wildlife southernqueenslandcountry.com.au or search the 1 Bunya Bunya CLOSED Barbecue—wood Motorhome track Service works to manage the cause of tree deaths on this section of track. internet for options. Admire towering bunya pines and hoop pines, charming rock pools and giant strangler figs. Feel the spray of water tumbling over Festoon and Tim Shea falls Places to camp Bunya Mountains Dandabah To Paradise Falls 5 To Tim 4km return National Park and soak up warm sunshine and stunning views at Pine Gorge Lookout. If time 1 Shea Falls 2 Scenic circuit (Allow 1hr 20min) Dandabah B is short, walk in an anti-clockwise direction and turn back at Festoon Falls or u n y Pine Gorge Lookout. a M o To Share this grassy space with red-necked wallabies and let u Listen for green catbirds and wompoo fruit-doves as you wind through arguably n t Festoon a the kids loose while you watch birds or unwind beneath a Ghinghion i 10km return the most exceptional bunya pine rainforest on the planet. Watch for carpet n Falls Barker Creek Lookout s 3 backdrop of dome-crowned bunya pines. Close to walking R circuit (Allow 3–4hr) pythons basking in the sunshine of a grassy bald or patch of eucalypt forest o a 2 d Museum and take the short detour to Big Falls Lookout. tracks and with the convenience of a small general store,
Learn from signs about different rainforest trees as you meander along Barker public phone, restaurants and holiday houses 9 Creek past Paradise Falls and Little Falls and on towards Big Falls and Barker nearby, this is a popular place to stay. Cherry Plain 5.4km return 4 Barker Creek Creek lookouts. Rest on the grassy bald above Big Falls and gaze out over the Lookout (Allow 2hr) falls and valleys filled with hoop pines. The true splendour of Big Falls is only Westcott Bottle revealed after heavy rain. Tree Bluff 3km one way Enjoy a wonderful easy walk through spectacular rainforest with huge bunya Relax away from the crowds at the forest edge with sunset Scale 5 Dandabah to (Allow 1hr) 0 100 200m Paradise pines. This is a great walk to do on its own or as part of the Barker Creek circuit. views over distant plains. Keep watch for all 3 of Bunya 8 (6km return, 2hr) Mountains’ fairy-wren species—variegated, red-backed Cherry Plain Lookout and superb blue.
Western walks (map references 6–10) Burtons Well Vegetation and scenery change as you head out to the western escarpment or rise to the mountains’ highest peak. Most of these ii da Barker Creek on Big tracks start and finish at picnic areas along the bitumen road and can be linked together to make a longer walk. To avoid a long o ek Lookout K re Westcott C 7 Falls return trip, park a car at an exit point or arrange to be picked up. Wake to spectacular sunrises and an amazing morning chorus 4 of birds sharing your hillside camp. Marvel at giant grasstrees Koondaii Little Big Falls Be captivated by magnificent rainforest, cross Little Pocket (a small high- Lookout Falls 3.2km one-way several hundred years old and stringybarks towering over Lookout altitude grassland bald) then head to the exposed western escarpment and 6 Paradise to (Allow 1hr 15min) wattles, grasstrees and other shrubs on an exposed ridge Westcott views over the Darling Downs. Arrange to be picked up at the end, retrace your Paradise 3 (6.4km return, 2.5hr) adjacent to rainforest. Look for eastern whipbrids, finches and Falls Pine Gorge steps or continue to Cherry Plain picnic area. Lookout honeyeaters by day, and possums and gliders by night. Views towards Bell, Dalby and open plains in the distance reward your steep reek Paradise e C Tim Shea -tre 2.5km return descent zig-zagging in and out of open forest to Koondaii Lookout. Delight in Westcliff le Koondaii Ranger favourites d 7 Lookout Falls d a circuit (Allow 1hr) the carpet of velvety-pink lacebark flowers covering rainforest sections of track S Tick alert in late summer. It’s easier to walk this circuit in a clockwise direction. It’s great seeing visitors with such big 5 Festoon Falls Ticks are active all year round and can cause 6 Follow the cliff line where shady rainforest gives way to sunny eucalypt-clad smiles enjoying our iconic park. From the 2 severe allergic reactions or serious illness. Wear insect 1 4.8km one-way ridges with sweeping views. See brown quail and skinks in areas of thick repellent and check yourself and children regularly birds and wallabies, to the walks and Westcott to 8 (Allow 1.5–2 hr) tussocky grass and marvel at elaborate golden blossoms of king orchids for ticks. views, there’s nothing like spending See Dandabah inset Cherry Plain (9.6km return, 3–4hr) adorning cliff edges in spring. Return the same way, arrange to be picked up time in the Bunya Mountains. or link to another track. Ranger Owen Bunya Mountains e Stretch your legs along the Bunya Mountain’s western edge. Wind in and out u National Park n 6km one-way of rainforest, vine scrub and open forest, revelling in bird song and stopping Help protect the bunya mountains ve Cherry Plain A 9 ya to Burtons (Allow 2hr) at lookouts to gaze at the view or watch soaring wedge-tailed eagles. • Leave your pets at home—domestic animals un B Well (12km return, 4 hr) Arrange a pick-up at the end, retrace your steps or extend your walk further are not permitted in national parks. by adding another track. • Let wildlife be wild. Never feed birds, wallabies or
Mount Mowbullan Climb gradually to the Bunya Mountain’s highest peak and the impressive other wildlife. This upsets the balance of nature and 1101m avenue of tall grass trees and views from the summit. Listen for the distinctive can cause animals to become aggressive. To Dalby 2.3km return two-part ‘whip-crack’ call of eastern whipbirds and be thrilled at the sight of 10 Mount • Take your rubbish with you when you leave—what Kiangarow (Allow 1hr) grey goshawks whooshing over the forest canopy. Time your walk for sunrise you bring in, you take out. or sunset and be mesmerised by the changing hues of light creeping across mountains and plains. • Do frogs a favour: stay out of creeks and don’t disturb tadpoles, remove rocks or trample vegetation. • Clean your boots, clothes and equipment of soil Kids enjoying time and seeds before and after you visit and help stop in nature (above). Walking safely Bunya pines in fog (right); the spread of weeds and harmful organisms ©Tourism and Events Qld Plan your walks so that you will be safe and have a great time. Take drinking water and nutritious snacks; wear a hat and sturdy (above); Brett Roberts (such as Phytophthora). © Qld Govt (right) ankle-supporting footwear. Keep to tracks and watch your step near cliff edges or on slippery muddy tracks. Please carry this map and keep children close so they do not take a wrong turn.
Walking track classifications To see mist swirling around the mountain tops Protect bunya pines for future times and the diversity of so many vegetation types Grade Symbol Suits Track description Use the washdown stations at track entrances to and animals in one area is simply spectacular. Most ages and fitness levels. Well-defined tracks may have short steep hill sections, a rough prevent the spread of potentially pathogen-containing Ranger Tony 3 Some bushwalking experience surface and many steps. Tracks may have obstacles and be soil on boots and equipment into the park, and from Dandabah camping area recommended. partly overgrown. Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt the Bunya Mountains to other areas. I like the sudden contrast of stepping from Colourful birds are never far away Tracks may be extensively overgrown, rough and very steep. Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt Experienced bushwalkers with Phytophthora (a microscopic, disease-causing plant the cool, dark rainforest into the warm, bright 4 Caution is needed near cliff edges and naturally–occurring moderate levels of fitness. pathogen) has been found in the soil where groups of sunlight of an open grassy bald. lookouts. bunya pines have died. Limiting the spread of soil is Ranger Martin currently our best chance of protecting bunya pines.
Fallen lacebark flowers on Koondaii circuit © Bruce Thomson
Barker Creek Lookout track (bottom). Red-necked wallaby Karen Smith © Qld Govt (above); Robert Ashdown Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt (bottom) Maxime Coquard © Tourism and Events Qld © Qld Govt (right); © Bruce Thomson (far right) Scale To Kingaroy 0 0.5 1 1.5km Legend Explore on foot Stay a while
National park Information Barbecue—coin Caravan Be enticed into the cool, inviting rainforest to wander amid towering trees, breathe moist mountain air and feel your body, mind and Take refuge from a busy world and discover what the Bunya Restricted access area Parking Short easy walk Showers spirit being replenished. The park’s 35km of walking tracks weave in and out of rainforest, vine scrub, eucalypt forest and grasslands Mountains mean to you. Be surrounded by nature at one 10 and offer stunning mountain views and plentiful wildlife. Delight in a short stroll or truly escape on a longer, more challenging hike. of three national park camping areas. Book your camp site Creek Park office Natural viewpoint Accommodation well in advance at qld.gov.au/Camping, especially for stays Cliff line Toilets Constructed lookout Restaurant Eastern Rainforest tracks (map references 1–5) during school holidays. Mount Kiangarow Sealed road Wheelchair access Camping Telephone Enter at Dandabah or Paradise and venture deep into the rainforest past trickling streams to find tumbling waterfalls and impressive 1135m Or, indulge and stay at one of the many holiday houses views to the east. Class 3 walking track Picnic area Camping—car access Mountain peak or cosy cabins just outside the national park: visit Water— Burtons Well Class 4 walking track Sheltered picnic table Camper trailer treat before drinking Entry to this area is currently prohibited while the Queensland Parks and Wildlife southernqueenslandcountry.com.au or search the 1 Bunya Bunya CLOSED Barbecue—wood Motorhome track Service works to manage the cause of tree deaths on this section of track. internet for options. Admire towering bunya pines and hoop pines, charming rock pools and giant strangler figs. Feel the spray of water tumbling over Festoon and Tim Shea falls Places to camp Bunya Mountains Dandabah To Paradise Falls 5 To Tim 4km return National Park and soak up warm sunshine and stunning views at Pine Gorge Lookout. If time 1 Shea Falls 2 Scenic circuit (Allow 1hr 20min) Dandabah B is short, walk in an anti-clockwise direction and turn back at Festoon Falls or u n y Pine Gorge Lookout. a M o To Share this grassy space with red-necked wallabies and let u Listen for green catbirds and wompoo fruit-doves as you wind through arguably n t Festoon a the kids loose while you watch birds or unwind beneath a Ghinghion i 10km return the most exceptional bunya pine rainforest on the planet. Watch for carpet n Falls Barker Creek Lookout s 3 backdrop of dome-crowned bunya pines. Close to walking R circuit (Allow 3–4hr) pythons basking in the sunshine of a grassy bald or patch of eucalypt forest o a 2 d Museum and take the short detour to Big Falls Lookout. tracks and with the convenience of a small general store,
Learn from signs about different rainforest trees as you meander along Barker public phone, restaurants and holiday houses 9 Creek past Paradise Falls and Little Falls and on towards Big Falls and Barker nearby, this is a popular place to stay. Cherry Plain 5.4km return 4 Barker Creek Creek lookouts. Rest on the grassy bald above Big Falls and gaze out over the Lookout (Allow 2hr) falls and valleys filled with hoop pines. The true splendour of Big Falls is only Westcott Bottle revealed after heavy rain. Tree Bluff 3km one way Enjoy a wonderful easy walk through spectacular rainforest with huge bunya Relax away from the crowds at the forest edge with sunset Scale 5 Dandabah to (Allow 1hr) 0 100 200m Paradise pines. This is a great walk to do on its own or as part of the Barker Creek circuit. views over distant plains. Keep watch for all 3 of Bunya 8 (6km return, 2hr) Mountains’ fairy-wren species—variegated, red-backed Cherry Plain Lookout and superb blue.
Western walks (map references 6–10) Burtons Well Vegetation and scenery change as you head out to the western escarpment or rise to the mountains’ highest peak. Most of these ii da Barker Creek on Big tracks start and finish at picnic areas along the bitumen road and can be linked together to make a longer walk. To avoid a long o ek Lookout K re Westcott C 7 Falls return trip, park a car at an exit point or arrange to be picked up. Wake to spectacular sunrises and an amazing morning chorus 4 of birds sharing your hillside camp. Marvel at giant grasstrees Koondaii Little Big Falls Be captivated by magnificent rainforest, cross Little Pocket (a small high- Lookout Falls 3.2km one-way several hundred years old and stringybarks towering over Lookout altitude grassland bald) then head to the exposed western escarpment and 6 Paradise to (Allow 1hr 15min) wattles, grasstrees and other shrubs on an exposed ridge Westcott views over the Darling Downs. Arrange to be picked up at the end, retrace your Paradise 3 (6.4km return, 2.5hr) adjacent to rainforest. Look for eastern whipbrids, finches and Falls Pine Gorge steps or continue to Cherry Plain picnic area. Lookout honeyeaters by day, and possums and gliders by night. Views towards Bell, Dalby and open plains in the distance reward your steep reek Paradise e C Tim Shea -tre 2.5km return descent zig-zagging in and out of open forest to Koondaii Lookout. Delight in Westcliff le Koondaii Ranger favourites d 7 Lookout Falls d a circuit (Allow 1hr) the carpet of velvety-pink lacebark flowers covering rainforest sections of track S Tick alert in late summer. It’s easier to walk this circuit in a clockwise direction. It’s great seeing visitors with such big 5 Festoon Falls Ticks are active all year round and can cause 6 Follow the cliff line where shady rainforest gives way to sunny eucalypt-clad smiles enjoying our iconic park. From the 2 severe allergic reactions or serious illness. Wear insect 1 4.8km one-way ridges with sweeping views. See brown quail and skinks in areas of thick repellent and check yourself and children regularly birds and wallabies, to the walks and Westcott to 8 (Allow 1.5–2 hr) tussocky grass and marvel at elaborate golden blossoms of king orchids for ticks. views, there’s nothing like spending See Dandabah inset Cherry Plain (9.6km return, 3–4hr) adorning cliff edges in spring. Return the same way, arrange to be picked up time in the Bunya Mountains. or link to another track. Ranger Owen Bunya Mountains e Stretch your legs along the Bunya Mountain’s western edge. Wind in and out u National Park n 6km one-way of rainforest, vine scrub and open forest, revelling in bird song and stopping Help protect the bunya mountains ve Cherry Plain A 9 ya to Burtons (Allow 2hr) at lookouts to gaze at the view or watch soaring wedge-tailed eagles. • Leave your pets at home—domestic animals un B Well (12km return, 4 hr) Arrange a pick-up at the end, retrace your steps or extend your walk further are not permitted in national parks. by adding another track. • Let wildlife be wild. Never feed birds, wallabies or
Mount Mowbullan Climb gradually to the Bunya Mountain’s highest peak and the impressive other wildlife. This upsets the balance of nature and 1101m avenue of tall grass trees and views from the summit. Listen for the distinctive can cause animals to become aggressive. To Dalby 2.3km return two-part ‘whip-crack’ call of eastern whipbirds and be thrilled at the sight of 10 Mount • Take your rubbish with you when you leave—what Kiangarow (Allow 1hr) grey goshawks whooshing over the forest canopy. Time your walk for sunrise you bring in, you take out. or sunset and be mesmerised by the changing hues of light creeping across mountains and plains. • Do frogs a favour: stay out of creeks and don’t disturb tadpoles, remove rocks or trample vegetation. • Clean your boots, clothes and equipment of soil Kids enjoying time and seeds before and after you visit and help stop in nature (above). Walking safely Bunya pines in fog (right); the spread of weeds and harmful organisms ©Tourism and Events Qld Plan your walks so that you will be safe and have a great time. Take drinking water and nutritious snacks; wear a hat and sturdy (above); Brett Roberts (such as Phytophthora). © Qld Govt (right) ankle-supporting footwear. Keep to tracks and watch your step near cliff edges or on slippery muddy tracks. Please carry this map and keep children close so they do not take a wrong turn.
Walking track classifications To see mist swirling around the mountain tops Protect bunya pines for future times and the diversity of so many vegetation types Grade Symbol Suits Track description Use the washdown stations at track entrances to and animals in one area is simply spectacular. Most ages and fitness levels. Well-defined tracks may have short steep hill sections, a rough prevent the spread of potentially pathogen-containing Ranger Tony 3 Some bushwalking experience surface and many steps. Tracks may have obstacles and be soil on boots and equipment into the park, and from Dandabah camping area recommended. partly overgrown. Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt the Bunya Mountains to other areas. I like the sudden contrast of stepping from Colourful birds are never far away Tracks may be extensively overgrown, rough and very steep. Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt Experienced bushwalkers with Phytophthora (a microscopic, disease-causing plant the cool, dark rainforest into the warm, bright 4 Caution is needed near cliff edges and naturally–occurring moderate levels of fitness. pathogen) has been found in the soil where groups of sunlight of an open grassy bald. lookouts. bunya pines have died. Limiting the spread of soil is Ranger Martin currently our best chance of protecting bunya pines.
Fallen lacebark flowers on Koondaii circuit © Bruce Thomson
Barker Creek Lookout track (bottom). Red-necked wallaby Karen Smith © Qld Govt (above); Robert Ashdown Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt (bottom) Maxime Coquard © Tourism and Events Qld © Qld Govt (right); © Bruce Thomson (far right) Scale To Kingaroy 0 0.5 1 1.5km Legend Explore on foot Stay a while
National park Information Barbecue—coin Caravan Be enticed into the cool, inviting rainforest to wander amid towering trees, breathe moist mountain air and feel your body, mind and Take refuge from a busy world and discover what the Bunya Restricted access area Parking Short easy walk Showers spirit being replenished. The park’s 35km of walking tracks weave in and out of rainforest, vine scrub, eucalypt forest and grasslands Mountains mean to you. Be surrounded by nature at one 10 and offer stunning mountain views and plentiful wildlife. Delight in a short stroll or truly escape on a longer, more challenging hike. of three national park camping areas. Book your camp site Creek Park office Natural viewpoint Accommodation well in advance at qld.gov.au/Camping, especially for stays Cliff line Toilets Constructed lookout Restaurant Eastern Rainforest tracks (map references 1–5) during school holidays. Mount Kiangarow Sealed road Wheelchair access Camping Telephone Enter at Dandabah or Paradise and venture deep into the rainforest past trickling streams to find tumbling waterfalls and impressive 1135m Or, indulge and stay at one of the many holiday houses views to the east. Class 3 walking track Picnic area Camping—car access Mountain peak or cosy cabins just outside the national park: visit Water— Burtons Well Class 4 walking track Sheltered picnic table Camper trailer treat before drinking Entry to this area is currently prohibited while the Queensland Parks and Wildlife southernqueenslandcountry.com.au or search the 1 Bunya Bunya CLOSED Barbecue—wood Motorhome track Service works to manage the cause of tree deaths on this section of track. internet for options. Admire towering bunya pines and hoop pines, charming rock pools and giant strangler figs. Feel the spray of water tumbling over Festoon and Tim Shea falls Places to camp Bunya Mountains Dandabah To Paradise Falls 5 To Tim 4km return National Park and soak up warm sunshine and stunning views at Pine Gorge Lookout. If time 1 Shea Falls 2 Scenic circuit (Allow 1hr 20min) Dandabah B is short, walk in an anti-clockwise direction and turn back at Festoon Falls or u n y Pine Gorge Lookout. a M o To Share this grassy space with red-necked wallabies and let u Listen for green catbirds and wompoo fruit-doves as you wind through arguably n t Festoon a the kids loose while you watch birds or unwind beneath a Ghinghion i 10km return the most exceptional bunya pine rainforest on the planet. Watch for carpet n Falls Barker Creek Lookout s 3 backdrop of dome-crowned bunya pines. Close to walking R circuit (Allow 3–4hr) pythons basking in the sunshine of a grassy bald or patch of eucalypt forest o a 2 d Museum and take the short detour to Big Falls Lookout. tracks and with the convenience of a small general store,
Learn from signs about different rainforest trees as you meander along Barker public phone, restaurants and holiday houses 9 Creek past Paradise Falls and Little Falls and on towards Big Falls and Barker nearby, this is a popular place to stay. Cherry Plain 5.4km return 4 Barker Creek Creek lookouts. Rest on the grassy bald above Big Falls and gaze out over the Lookout (Allow 2hr) falls and valleys filled with hoop pines. The true splendour of Big Falls is only Westcott Bottle revealed after heavy rain. Tree Bluff 3km one way Enjoy a wonderful easy walk through spectacular rainforest with huge bunya Relax away from the crowds at the forest edge with sunset Scale 5 Dandabah to (Allow 1hr) 0 100 200m Paradise pines. This is a great walk to do on its own or as part of the Barker Creek circuit. views over distant plains. Keep watch for all 3 of Bunya 8 (6km return, 2hr) Mountains’ fairy-wren species—variegated, red-backed Cherry Plain Lookout and superb blue.
Western walks (map references 6–10) Burtons Well Vegetation and scenery change as you head out to the western escarpment or rise to the mountains’ highest peak. Most of these ii da Barker Creek on Big tracks start and finish at picnic areas along the bitumen road and can be linked together to make a longer walk. To avoid a long o ek Lookout K re Westcott C 7 Falls return trip, park a car at an exit point or arrange to be picked up. Wake to spectacular sunrises and an amazing morning chorus 4 of birds sharing your hillside camp. Marvel at giant grasstrees Koondaii Little Big Falls Be captivated by magnificent rainforest, cross Little Pocket (a small high- Lookout Falls 3.2km one-way several hundred years old and stringybarks towering over Lookout altitude grassland bald) then head to the exposed western escarpment and 6 Paradise to (Allow 1hr 15min) wattles, grasstrees and other shrubs on an exposed ridge Westcott views over the Darling Downs. Arrange to be picked up at the end, retrace your Paradise 3 (6.4km return, 2.5hr) adjacent to rainforest. Look for eastern whipbrids, finches and Falls Pine Gorge steps or continue to Cherry Plain picnic area. Lookout honeyeaters by day, and possums and gliders by night. Views towards Bell, Dalby and open plains in the distance reward your steep reek Paradise e C Tim Shea -tre 2.5km return descent zig-zagging in and out of open forest to Koondaii Lookout. Delight in Westcliff le Koondaii Ranger favourites d 7 Lookout Falls d a circuit (Allow 1hr) the carpet of velvety-pink lacebark flowers covering rainforest sections of track S Tick alert in late summer. It’s easier to walk this circuit in a clockwise direction. It’s great seeing visitors with such big 5 Festoon Falls Ticks are active all year round and can cause 6 Follow the cliff line where shady rainforest gives way to sunny eucalypt-clad smiles enjoying our iconic park. From the 2 severe allergic reactions or serious illness. Wear insect 1 4.8km one-way ridges with sweeping views. See brown quail and skinks in areas of thick repellent and check yourself and children regularly birds and wallabies, to the walks and Westcott to 8 (Allow 1.5–2 hr) tussocky grass and marvel at elaborate golden blossoms of king orchids for ticks. views, there’s nothing like spending See Dandabah inset Cherry Plain (9.6km return, 3–4hr) adorning cliff edges in spring. Return the same way, arrange to be picked up time in the Bunya Mountains. or link to another track. Ranger Owen Bunya Mountains e Stretch your legs along the Bunya Mountain’s western edge. Wind in and out u National Park n 6km one-way of rainforest, vine scrub and open forest, revelling in bird song and stopping Help protect the bunya mountains ve Cherry Plain A 9 ya to Burtons (Allow 2hr) at lookouts to gaze at the view or watch soaring wedge-tailed eagles. • Leave your pets at home—domestic animals un B Well (12km return, 4 hr) Arrange a pick-up at the end, retrace your steps or extend your walk further are not permitted in national parks. by adding another track. • Let wildlife be wild. Never feed birds, wallabies or
Mount Mowbullan Climb gradually to the Bunya Mountain’s highest peak and the impressive other wildlife. This upsets the balance of nature and 1101m avenue of tall grass trees and views from the summit. Listen for the distinctive can cause animals to become aggressive. To Dalby 2.3km return two-part ‘whip-crack’ call of eastern whipbirds and be thrilled at the sight of 10 Mount • Take your rubbish with you when you leave—what Kiangarow (Allow 1hr) grey goshawks whooshing over the forest canopy. Time your walk for sunrise you bring in, you take out. or sunset and be mesmerised by the changing hues of light creeping across mountains and plains. • Do frogs a favour: stay out of creeks and don’t disturb tadpoles, remove rocks or trample vegetation. • Clean your boots, clothes and equipment of soil Kids enjoying time and seeds before and after you visit and help stop in nature (above). Walking safely Bunya pines in fog (right); the spread of weeds and harmful organisms ©Tourism and Events Qld Plan your walks so that you will be safe and have a great time. Take drinking water and nutritious snacks; wear a hat and sturdy (above); Brett Roberts (such as Phytophthora). © Qld Govt (right) ankle-supporting footwear. Keep to tracks and watch your step near cliff edges or on slippery muddy tracks. Please carry this map and keep children close so they do not take a wrong turn.
Walking track classifications To see mist swirling around the mountain tops Protect bunya pines for future times and the diversity of so many vegetation types Grade Symbol Suits Track description Use the washdown stations at track entrances to and animals in one area is simply spectacular. Most ages and fitness levels. Well-defined tracks may have short steep hill sections, a rough prevent the spread of potentially pathogen-containing Ranger Tony 3 Some bushwalking experience surface and many steps. Tracks may have obstacles and be soil on boots and equipment into the park, and from Dandabah camping area recommended. partly overgrown. Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt the Bunya Mountains to other areas. I like the sudden contrast of stepping from Colourful birds are never far away Tracks may be extensively overgrown, rough and very steep. Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt Experienced bushwalkers with Phytophthora (a microscopic, disease-causing plant the cool, dark rainforest into the warm, bright 4 Caution is needed near cliff edges and naturally–occurring moderate levels of fitness. pathogen) has been found in the soil where groups of sunlight of an open grassy bald. lookouts. bunya pines have died. Limiting the spread of soil is Ranger Martin currently our best chance of protecting bunya pines.
Fallen lacebark flowers on Koondaii circuit © Bruce Thomson
Barker Creek Lookout track (bottom). Red-necked wallaby Karen Smith © Qld Govt (above); Robert Ashdown Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt (bottom) Maxime Coquard © Tourism and Events Qld © Qld Govt (right); © Bruce Thomson (far right)