Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing Visitor guide Featuring Bunya Mountains National Park Yarraman State Forest The Palms National Park Benarkin State Forest Ravensbourne National Park Crows Nest National Park Lake Broadwater Conservation Park Main Range National Park Girraween National Park Sundown National Park Balancing boulders and rugged gorges, rainforest-clad mountains and grassy plains, waterfalls and wetlands await discovery just a few hours inland from the beaches and busy cities of southern Queensland. Great state. Great opportunity. Secluded McAllisters Creek, Sundown National Park. Photo: Robert Ashdown Robert Photo: Welcome to Southern Inland Indigenous Australians have a long and ongoing relationship with many Queensland areas that are now national park or State forest. We acknowledge their important connection with country and ask that you treat the places you visit with care and respect. Whether for a short stroll or longer hike, a day trip or overnight stay, Queensland’s southern inland parks and forests are easy to get to and outstanding places to visit. Photo: Ken Chapman Ken Photo: Use this guide to help plan your trip. Each park or forest is different from the others, but all offer something special—from scenic views or distinctive features and wildlife, to glimpses into the past. Visitor facilities Camping Caravan/ Campervan Lookout and opportunities Dogs allowed allowed Dogs (on leash) Park office Park Toilets On-site information water Drinking shed Shelter table Picnic barbecueElectric barbecue/ Wood fireplace track Walking (perhaps Hiking overnight) Bunya Mountains National Park p4 • • • • • • • • • Yarraman State Forest P5 • • • • • Benarkin State Forest p5 • • • • • • The Palms National Park p6 • • • Lake Broadwater Conservation Park p6 • • • • • • Darling Downs Downs Darling and South Burnett Crows Nest National Park P7 • • • • • • • • • Ravensbourne National Park P8 • • • • • • • Main Range National Park p9 • • • • • • • • Girraween National Park p10 • • • • • • • • • • • Belt Sth Downs Sth Downs and Granite and Granite Sundown National Park p11 • • • • • • • • (Australian Standards) Key to track classifications Lookouts—not all the same Class 1 track • Track may be uneven and This indicates a lookout with a partially overgrown. built platform and handrail. • Easy, level, wide track suitable for visitors with reduced mobility • Reasonable level of fitness and ankle- This indicates a vantage point with no built structures or handrails. (including wheelchairs). High level supporting footwear required. of facilities and interpretation. Please keep away from the edge and Class 4 track supervise children at all times. Class 2 track • Distinct track may be narrow, Take extra care when using binoculars • Easy, level, well-graded track suitable up and down or overgrown. or cameras at these sites. • Usually with steep exposed Class 3 track inclines or many steps. • Gently sloping, well-defined track • Caution needed on loose gravel Class 5 track with slight inclines or some steps. surfaces, muddy areas, and at • Trails are not constructed • Caution needed on loose gravel or exposed natural lookouts. or maintained. muddy surfaces and at exposed • Moderate level of fitness and ankle- natural lookouts. supporting footwear required. 2 Photo: Thomson Photo: Bruce Courtesy of Bruce Thomson of Bruce Courtesy Legend Major road Minor road (sealed) Minor road (unsealed) 4WD road Walking track Bunya Kingaroy Bicentennial National Trail Mountains Brisbane Valley Rail Trail National Park QLD–NSW border Nanango Kumbia Creek Yarraman State Forest Mountain Maidenwell Benarkin Yarraman State Forest Waterfall National Park Photo: Robert Ashdown, Blackbutt Queensland Government Bell Cooyar State Forest The Palms Conservation Park National Park Maclagan Key to symbols Crows Nest Information Dalby National Park Esk Ranger station Crows Nest Parking area Jondaryan Hampton Toilets Lake Broadwater Oakey Ravensbourne Conservation Park Disabled access National Park BBQ—wood To Brisbane BBQ—electric Gatton Toowoomba Sheltered picnic table N e Picnic table w Pittsworth E n Natural viewpoint g l a n Built lookout ay ghw d Hi e H Hiking r i o Millmerran g G h w Walking track a y Allora Interpretive trail Tent sites only Main Range Tent sites near vehicles ay National Park hw ig 4WD camping H Warwick am Caravan site gh nin un Campervan/camper trailer site C Killarney Inglewood Queen Mary Falls Shower Queensland Accommodation Kiosk New South Wales Telephone Stanthorpe Dog-on-leash area Swimming Ballandean Canoeing/Kayaking Texas Sundown National Park Girraween Fishing National Park Horses Wallangarra Camping prohibited Brux ay ne ghw Mingoola r Hi Tenterfield Diving prohibited Scale 0 10 20 30 40km Water—treat before drinking 3 Photo: Thomson Photo: Bruce Bunya Mountains National Park t Eastern rainforest circuits v o Discover the largest stand of bunya pines G Stroll beneath giant bunya pines in a fern-carpeted ld Q in the world. Rainforests, waterfalls, r, rainforest along easy tracks. Walk past waterfalls and no mountain-top grasslands known as on to lookouts giving views to the east. ’C el O ‘balds’ and colourful birdlife feature in P icha 500 m hoto: M Queensland’s second oldest national park. 1 Bunya Bunya track 10 mins return 4 km 1 hr 2 Scenic circuit Getting there return 20 mins 10 km The Great Bunya Drive from Dalby, Kingaroy 3 Barker Creek circuit 3–4 hrs Places to walk return or Nanango leads up steep and narrow Enjoy 35 km of walking tracks; 5.4 km winding roads to the mountain top. Some 4 Barker Creek lookout 2 hours ranging from a short 500 m return sections from Maidenwell and Maclagan stroll to a 10 km hike. are unsealed. The Department of Transport and Main Roads advises that all access Western walks roads are unsuitable for travel by long Shady rainforest gives way to sunny eucalypt-clad ridges with views to the west. and/or heavy vehicles. Discretion is urged Start and finish at picnic areas or link together to make a longer walk. with respect to caravans, motorhomes and buses. 5 Paradise to Westcott 3.2 km + 1.5 km return by road 2–3 hrs 6 Koondaii circuit 2.5 km return 1 hr Places to visit and stay 7 Westcott to Cherry Plain 4.8 km + 1.8 km return by road 3–4 hrs Picnic or start your walk at Dandabah, 8 Cherry Plain to Burtons Well 6 km + 2.4 km return by road 3–4 hrs Westcott and Burtons Well where there are toilets, barbecues and picnic tables. Tracks 9 Mt Kiangarow track 2.3 km return 1 hr can also be accessed from car parks at Paradise or Cherry Plain. Westcott and Burtons Well camping areas To Kingaroy have tent sites only. Dandabah camping Scale area is a large open area with vehicle 0 1 km access and electric barbecues. Book in 9 advance for all camping. Mt Kiangarow Burtons Well A small general store, food and holiday 1135 m accommodation is available nearby. Learn about the park and places you can walk from on-site signs or visit Ghinghion www.nprsr.qld.gov.au. Lookout 8 Cherry Plain Bottle Tree Bluff Bunya Mountains 7 National Park Barker Creek Cherry Plain Lookout Lookout Big 6 Westcott 4 Pine Little Falls Gorge Big Falls k Koondaii e Falls Lookout Lookout re Lookout Paradise ii C Falls 3 nda Ck oo Paradise Tim Shea e K Westcliff tre e- Falls dl Lookout ad 5 3 2 S Festoon Falls 1 Dandabah Queensland Government Queensland Photo: Michael O’Connor, O’Connor, Michael Photo: e Traditional Custodians have a long v A and ongoing association with the Mt Mowbullan ya un Bunya Mountains. In times past, 1101 m B long distances were travelled to attend festivals held to coincide To Dalby with huge crops of bunya nuts. 4 Photo: Michael O’Connor, O’Connor, Michael Photo: Government Queensland Yarraman Benarkin Things to do Logging and service tracks criss-cross the State Forest State Forest forest and can be used for cycling, walking or horse riding. Motorised vehicles are restricted to formed roads only. Entry Hoop pine grows naturally above into harvesting areas is not permitted. vine forests and in straight plantation Majestic hoop pine plantations, towering Obey all signs. rows adjacent to eucalypt forests eucalypt forests and dense vine scrub A section of The Brisbane Valley Rail and woodlands. cover the scenic Blackbutt Range and Trail (open to walking, cycling and horse the rolling hills at the head of the riding) also passes through Benarkin Getting there Brisbane River. State Forest, following the old rail line up the Blackbutt Range. Find trail Turn off the D’Aguilar Highway 1.5 km information and access details at north of Yarraman. Getting there www.brisbanevalleyrailtrail.org.au. Turn off the D’Aguilar Highway 3.5 km east Horse riders can also follow the Places to visit of Blackbutt. Gravel roads are accessible Bicentennial National Trail through by conventional vehicles but caution is Benarkin State Forest. Visit www. Drive 1.4 km through pine plantations to needed, especially after rain. nationaltrail.com.au for trail details. picnic at shady Rogers Park. Toilets, picnic tables and barbecues are provided. Bring your own firewood. Places to visit and stay Access roads to Emu Creek Dogs must remain on leash and be Clancys camping area and Emu Creek camping and day-use areas restrained at all times. Camping is camping and day-use areas are situated may be closed due to flood not permitted. on small flats beside the semi-permanent waters of Emu Creek They have toilets, damage. To check if open, fireplaces and picnic tables. Book in visit www.nprsr.qld.gov.au. advance for all camping. Dogs are permitted (on-leash at all Scale times) in day-use areas and can stay 0 2 km overnight at Clancys camping area. y alle e V an b ail is r r l T B ai R D’AGUILAR Beware of logging trucks HIGHWAY hauling timber along Blackbutt narrow, unsealed roads.