Southern Queensland Country
Toowoomba Region
Active Outdoors
Bunya Drive, Bunya Mountains, Western Downs
Taking scenery to new heights Queensland is home to some of Australia’s most stunning natural wonders, including a number of must-see national parks. Zoom in on Southern Queensland Country to discover a naturally gifted region boasting a variety of well-loved locations. The dramatic landscapes of Girraween National Park, located a short 35km drive south from Stanthorpe, attracts more than 120,000 visitors each year. Here, you’ll be awed by huge granite boulders towering above open forests, and delicate spring wildflowers adding splashes of colour to the landscape. There are 17km of walking tracks to explore, all offering spectacular views. Make the most of your visit and stay overnight at the Castle Rock and Bald Rock Creek camping areas. Mount Basalt Reserve is another unique destination that’s a must-do on any hikers bucket list. Here, you’ll find striking volcanic formations across 10ha of scrubland. This one is best explored by following the walking track to two rocky peaks with lookouts boasting spectacular views. To get there, travel from Toowoomba along the Gore Highway to Millmerran, then drive 18km south on Kooroongarra Road to the reserve.
Visitor Guide
Connecting with Indigenous history Sundown National Park, located on the QLD/NSW border, is a rugged wilderness featuring steep-sided gorges, sharp ridges, and peaks rising to over 1,000m. There are sectioned camping areas suitable for both casual and experienced adventurers. Check out the permanent waterhole by strolling 1km along a graded walk. For those with more experience, hike into a bush camp and explore the Severn River. Keep in mind that a 4WD is recommended with 20km of rough track. Main Range National Park – Cunninghams Gap is a World Heritage-listed park that offers spectacular mountain scenery and a range of easy walking tracks. Located 116km south-west of Brisbane or 50km east of Warwick along the Cunningham Highway, it boasts breathtaking views and passes through rainforest, open eucalypt forest, and heath.
Discover the Bunya Mountains National Park, Queensland’s second oldest national park and what is thought to be the world’s largest remaining stand of bunya pine forest. With a strong Indigenous history– Aboriginal people gathered here from afar during bunya nut season for bunya festivals until the late 1800s; learn about the cultural connection to the park while enjoying walks (ranging from 500m to 12km in length) through bunya pine forest, eucalypt forest and rainforest. Discover mountain scenery and grassy ‘balds’ and have fun spotting an incredible variety of birds. Stay longer and relax at one of the camping areas or various accommodation venues where it’s blissfully cool in summer and a misty wonderland in winter. Cafés are located nearby. Take a country drive 55km north-east of Dalby or 56km south-west of Kingaroy. Travelling from Brisbane? Allow 3 hours. The access routes to the park are steep and winding. Not suited to caravans or trailers.
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