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Highlights of Camping at Goomburra, Main Range National Park

Home > Toowoomba > Weekend Escapes | School Holidays | Escape the City | Day Trips | Camping
by Anna (subscribe)
I'm Anna - a full time worker and keen adventurer who loves to explore and make the most of what life has to offer. My partner and I enjoy spending our weekends in the great outdoors and getting off the beaten track.
Published April 21st 2017
Feels like another world
You'll be transported to another world, literally, when you visit this luscious region of South East Queensland. For nature lovers wanting a nearby escape from Brisbane, the Goomburra section of Main Range National Park will not let you down.

Goomburra, Main Range National Park, Waterfall, Cascades, Camping, Nature
Waterfalls are plentiful at Goomburra


Located approximately 175km south-west of Brisbane in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, Goomburra is a two hour drive from Brisbane and is ideal for both day trips and a quick camping get away. If you need some inspiration, keep reading to see the highlights of camping at Goomburra.

Goomburra, Main Range National Park, Waterfall, cows, Farms Camping, Nature
Watch out for the cows crossing the road as you drive into the National Park


1. The Walks are Incredible
No joke. Goomburra boasts by far, some of the most impressive bushwalking tracks that South East Queensland has to offer. The most stunning walk offered at Goomburra would have to be the 6.5km Cascades Circuit. Although classed as level 4 difficulty and quite challenging at times, you'll reap the scenic rewards as you wind your way through sections of rainforests, a series of cascades, and rocky pools whilst walking along Dalrymple Creek. The most thrilling part of this walk is tiptoeing and balancing your way along the rocks as you cross the creek several times. Be careful - if you fall in, you'll get wet!

goomburra, Main Range National Park, Waterfall, Bush, Camping, Nature
One of the many cascades along the Cascades Circuit


Other highly rated walks include the 3.6km walk to Arucaria Falls, the 1.2km Dalrymple Creek Circuit and the 940m walk through succulent subtropical rainforest to Sylvesters Lookout. Half of the walks depart from the campground but the other half are situated along Lookout Road and will require a 10-15 minute drive uphill from the campground. There is a creek crossing at the beginning of this road which is accessible by 2WD if the water is low, but if the creek level is too high then you'll require a 4WD to continue up Lookout Road. For more information regarding bushwalks at Goomburra, refer to the NPSR Website.

goomburra, swimming, waterhole, Main Range National Park, Waterfall, Bush, Camping, Nature
A nifty swimming hole along the Cascades Circuit


2. True Blue Bush Camping Experience
Forget camping in a caravan park packed full of tourists where your neighbours are camping on top of you. Goomburra provides a reasonably authentic bush camping experience but still has all the necessary facilities; compost toilets, tap water (boil before use) and wood BBQs. With the massive Manna Gum trees towering over you, the trickling sounds of Dalrymple Creek, and the tweets of birds overhead, it will be hard not to feel relaxed in the bush setting that Goomburra offers. Goomburra gives you a choice of two campgrounds; Poplar Flat Campground and Manna Gum Campground. Camping costs $6.15 per adult per night. For more information on camping at Goomburra, see the NPSR Website.

Goomburra, Main Range National Park, Waterfall, Bush, Camping, Nature
A campsite in Poplar Flat Campground


3. Interesting Flora and Fauna
I'll never consider myself a keen botanist but even I found it difficult not to admire the diversity of flora found in Goomburra. There are different flora habitats ranging from subtropical, cool temperate rainforest to dry schleorphyll forest and rocky pavement vegetation. Flora highlights from our trip included observing some funky and interesting fungi growths along with the gigantic buttress roots in the rainforest.

There's supposedly heaps of wildlife to be seen at Goomburra, as it is home to a number of threatened species. Unfortunately our contact with the wildlife was limited and although we could hear scuffles through the rainforest, the only animals we got to see were the Eastern Bristlebird and some kookaburras (do the kookaburras count?). Here's hoping you'll have more luck than we did.

Other highlights include swimming in the rock pools, frolicking in the creek, chilling out by the campfire, relaxing in the hammock, roasting marshmallows and whatever other activities take your fancy.

goomburra, Dalrymple Creek, Main Range National Park, Waterfall, Bush, Camping, Nature
Dalrymple Creek which runs alongside the campground


On a final note, the drive to Goomburra is an enjoyable and scenic one as you drive up the range through Cunningham's Gap and then pass by rural farmlands.

Goomburra, Main Range National Park, Waterfall, Horses, Farms Camping, Nature
Horses grazing alongside the road to Goomburra


Where is it?
From Brisbane follow the Cunningham Highway and turn off at Gladfield 25km west of Cunninghams Gap. Follow Inverramsay Road, then Forestry Reserve Road to the National Park.

What can you do?
Daytrip
Camping
- Picnic/BBQ
- Bushwalking
- Swimming
- Wildlife spotting

Relevant Sites

- NPSR
- Explore Queensland
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Why? Treat yourself to a relaxing bush camping experience
Where: Goomburra section of Main Range National Park
Cost: $6.15 camping fee per person for 1 night
Your Comment
Fabulous photos, Anna!
by Elaine (score: 3|9406) 1791 days ago
Nice article Anna. I must go there one day
by Roz Glazebrook (score: 2|925) 2242 days ago
Hi Anna - love your work! I would like to offer you some work. How do I contact you? Thanks Jodi
by jodi. (score: 1|10) 2241 days ago
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