Check out these under-the-radar National Parks in QLD
These 10 under-the-radar national parks in QLD are definitely worthy of your time. So make sure to include some on your next RV trip.
By Jessica Palmer,
June 20, 2023
Tucked within QLD’s vast borders are over 1000 national parks, forests and other protected areas. You would most likely already be familiar with well-known favourites such as the Daintree, K’gari, Carnarvon Gorge and Lamington National Parks, but what about the others? And while the remaining 996+ can’t all be winners in terms of surprise and delight, these ten certainly are.
These under-the-radar national parks in QLD that I’m about to show you are definitely worthy of your time. Make sure to include a few of these on your next RV trip!
Mount Walsh National Park, Bundaberg
Find Mount Walsh National Park in QLD, around 90 minutes from Hervey Bay or 30 minutes from Biggenden. Here you will find imposing granite rock formations, Mount Walsh and a hidden gem in the Utopia Rock Pools (aka Waterfall Creek Rock Pools).
The 462m Mount Walsh Summit Track offers impressive views from the peak across the countryside. But with the need to scramble up large boulders using a rope towards the peak, this is no walk in the park. Only attempt this one if you are a confident and experienced hiker.
Bunya Mountains National Park, Southern QLD Country
Three hour’s drive northwest of Brisbane, the Bunya Mountains National Park is an alpine escape in the mountains with towering bunya pines. This beautiful national park was once a gathering place for a significant Aboriginal festival called the Bonye Bonye Festival.
Many people visit for the walking trails, ranging from easy waterfall circuits to epic hikes across the mountains.
Blackdown Tableland National Park, Central Queensland
Blackdown Tableland National Park in the Capricorn region of Central QLD has some seriously stunning scenery. A relatively unknown sanctuary that features plunging rockpools, picturesque walking trails, gorges, sandstone escarpments and Indigenous rock art. Walking is the most popular thing to do here, with a range of walking tracks leading to creeks, lookouts and heritage sites.
Porcupine Gorge National Park, Outback Queensland
Just over an hour’s drive from Hughenden in Outback Queensland, Porcupine Gorge National Park is a little-known oasis in the Outback. Winding through an otherwise arid savannah terrain, the gorge is surrounded by green vegetation. It’s a fascinating site as it ontrasts spectacularly against the yellows and oranges of the Outback plains.
Explore Porcupine Gorge on the Pyramid walking track or take in the views from one of the lookouts. The waterhole is an important refuge for various animals, so pack your binoculars for this adventure.
Wooroonooran National Park, Tropical North Queensland
Wooroonooran National Park features Mount Bartle Frere, QLD’s highest mountain at 1,622m above sea level. It takes around six to eight hours to conquer, so it’s not for the faint-hearted, but those that manage it are rewarded with views across the Wet Tropics Rainforest.
Don’t miss the opportunity to swim at Josephine Falls with its cascading waterfall, or take a stroll out on the Mamu Tropical Skywalk.
Kroombit Tops National Park, Outback Queensland
Kroombit Tops National Park is both an off-roader’s and a history buff’s dream. If you’ve got a capable 4WD, you’ll find the final resting place of Beautiful Betsy, an American Liberator WWII bomber that went missing in 1945 enroute from Darwin to Brisbane. It took 49 years for the wreckage to be discovered, and here it remains as a monument to the servicemen onboard that, sadly, didn’t make it back.
The 4WD tracks are awesome, as are the off-the-grid camping, views and landscape. This one is for the adventurers out there!
Conondale National Park, Sunshine Coast
The locals have kept this one secret for years, but the Conondale National Park in the hinterlands of QLD’s Sunshine Coast is too good not to share.
Don’t miss the Booloumba Falls walk, which leads to a cascading waterfall and swimming hole, or the Gold Mine walk, which leads to an old gold mine from the 1920s. Take in the view from the 9.6m high Mount Allan fire tower or enjoy the rainforests, eucalypt forests, boulder-strewn creeks and waterfalls.
Girringun National Park, Townsville
Boasting Australia’s highest single-drop waterfall, Wallaman Falls, you’ll find Girringun National Park in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area near Townsville. Although Wallaman Falls are a popular visit, don’t miss Blencoe Falls, with its two levels of waterfalls that cascade down the gorge and race towards the Herbert River.
If you’re on the hunt for swimming holes, check out Cardwell Spa Pools and Attie Creek Falls.
Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park, Tropical North QLD
The caves and limestone rock formations of Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park were created over 400 million years ago and are of cultural and natural significance. View the caves on a ranger-guided tour to see the magnificent stalagmites, stalactites and flowstones.
Those up for a hike can also view Aboriginal rock art galleries on the various walking trails.
Eungella National Park, Mackay
Eungella National Park is where to head to spot the ever-elusive platypus in the wild. Head to Broken River, and if you stay quiet long enough, one may pop its head out of the water. Waterfall chasers should head to the Wheel of Fire Cascades and Araluen Waterfall, both popular spots with the locals.
Walking and mountain biking is a popular activity here, and with such beautiful surrounds, it’s not hard to see why.
But wait … there’s more!
So while there are countless more amazing lesser-known national parks in QLD, I reckon these ten are a good start. What about you? Have you been to any more that we should add to this list?
