What better way to spend the weekend or school holidays than to let your kids run free (that's not to say the adults can't join in too) and explore all that nature has to offer? Bunya Mountains National Park will give you the opportunity to do this, along with wallaby sightings, bird feeding, bushwalking and much more.
Escarpment views as you drive up the Bunya Mountains
Situated between Kingaroy and Dalby where it forms part of the Great Dividing Range, the Bunya Mountains is a pleasant 3 hour drive north-west of Brisbane. Bunya Mountains National Park is not only home to world's largest bunya pine forest (hence the name) but also provides a subtropical range of rainforests, grasslands, eucalypt forests and woodlands.
Koondaii Lookout
There are three campgrounds in Bunya Mountains National Park which are described in further detail below;
1. Dandabah CampgroundThis is the main section of Bunya Mountains and is popular with day-trippers because of its facilities and close proximity to a number of bushwalk entrances. For those campers who don't want to be too far away from reality, Dandabah campground is located next to a general store, restaurant, café and public phone. There are a number of cabins/retreats in the area and you can still get phone reception here. Dandabah Campground also provides hot showers, flushable toilets, electric BBQs, water (boil before use) and is suitable for tents, caravans and motorhomes.
Wallabies galore at Dandabah Campground
Located approximately 4km down the road from Dandabah, Westcott is a small grassy area suitable for walk-in camping only. This campground provides wood BBQs, water (boil before use) and hybrid toilets. We opted for Westcott because we wanted a campfire but still wanted to do a sneaky drive back to Dandabah for a hot shower (Shh!). Get in quick with this campground as there are only three BBQ spots/tables and they go quickly. There are a couple of bush walks that start from Westcott.
3. Burtons Well CampgroundThis campground is located roughly 8.5km from Dandabah and similar to Westcott, is suitable for walk-in camping only. Wood BBQs, hybrid toilets, water (boil before use) and cold showers are available here, however there is also a donkey boiler if you wish to heat up water for a shower. Burtons Well Campground provides a nice view over the escarpment. Although there are more BBQs here than Westcott, I wouldn't say there are a lot, so best to get in early. There are two bushwalks that can be done from Burtons Well.
See the
NPSR Website for more information on the campgrounds.
One of the many Strangler Figs found in Bunya Mountains
Bunya Mountains National Park provides some spectacular walking tracks. Unfortunately we didn't have time to do them all but we did try the 4km Scenic Circuit which included sub-tropical rainforest, waterfalls, creeks and some awesome photo opportunities alongside massive Strangler Figs. We also did the 2.5km Koondaii Circuit which took us along the mountainside to a scenic lookout over Koondaii Valley. Both walks were enjoyable and I'd recommend them. Word is, that the Mount Kiangarow track departing from Burtons Well is a must do to watch the sunset, so this will definitely be going on our to do list for next time. A full list of the walking tracks can be found on the
NPSR website.
Festoon Falls along the Scenic Circuit Track
There is plenty of wildlife to be seen at Bunya Mountains ranging from king parrots to wallabies, satin bowerbirds and frogs. Watch out for your rubbish at night as it's guaranteed a possum will try and get into it.
Other activities include bird feeding, which can be arranged at the general store, horse drawn tours, which offer novelty rides in a horse drawn carriage, and the Bunya Mountains Markets which are held on the last Sunday of each month from 9am – 12pm.
Where is it?Situated a 3 hour drive north-west of Brisbane. Depending on where in Brisbane you are located, there are different ways to get there either via Toowoomba or via Kilcoy. See the
Bunya Mountains Website for specific directions.
What can you do?
Camping
- Daytrips
- Picnic
- Bushwalking
- Wildlife Spotting
- Bird Feeding
- Swimming
- Horse Drawn Carriage Rides
- Wine and Dine at local Restaurant/Café
- Sunday Markets
Relevant Sites
Southern Queensland Country – Bunya Mountains
Bunya Mountains Escapes
South Burnett Tourism – Bunya Mountains
The Bunyas
