Girraween National Park

• Introduction
• Fact file


Girraween National Park, Nick Rains / Courtesy of Tourism Queensland

Introduction

Located between Stanthorpe and Tenterfi eld (NSW), Girraween National Park lies in Queensland’s Granite Belt and features pristine forests interspersed with towering granite outcrops. Picturesque creeks flow past precariously balanced boulders, and there is an abundance of wildlife and wildflowers – Girraween is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘place of flowers’. Only a few campsites, and markings on trees and rocks, remain as evidence of the Bundjalung people who once lived in this area. In 1827, botanist and explorer Allan Cunningham was the first European to explore the region and pastoralists took up large sheep stations from the 1840s. At the end of the 1800s, land was subdivided for apple and stone fruit orchards and later for vineyards.In spring, the eucalypt forests and heathlands burst into flower, with yellow wattles, white heath bells, yellow, purple and red pea flowers, native bluebells and sarsaparilla. At dawn and dusk watch for eastern grey kangaroos and red-necked wallabies, and possibly possums, sugar and feathertail gliders, and spotted-tailed quolls. Harder to spot are the more reclusive koalas, echidnas, wombats and greater gliders. Of particular note among the 150 bird species are the superb lyrebird, chestnut-rumped heathwren, southern emu-wren and turquoise parrot. Within the park are 17 kilometres of walking tracks, many leading to the top of granite outcrops for fantastic views. Shortest is the walk to the Pyramids (3 km return, 2 hours); the longest is the hike to the top of Mount Norman (10.4 km return, 6 hours). Be careful on the rocks in wet weather as they can get very slippery.

Fact file

Camping

Bald Rock Creek, Castle Rock; bush camping in some areas; permit and fees apply

Location and access

260 km south-west of Brisbane; 48 km south of Stanthorpe via New England Hwy and Pyramids Rd

Park Information

• NQIS (07) 3227 8185
• Park ranger (07) 4684 5157

Size

11 800 ha

Where to Stay

Stanthorpe (07) 4681 2057
www.southerndownsholidays.com.au


This content is from the publication:
Explore Australia’s National Parks
RRP $49.95
Buy now

• Campsites

Campsites

Bald Rock Creek camping area

Bald Rock Creek camping area is the first turning on the left as you enter the national park from the New England Hwy, and can be reached by conventional vehicle. The area is semi-grassed, has no designated sites and... Find out more

---

Bush camping

Self-sufficient and experienced walkers can make use of the remote walk-in bush campsites throughout the park. Open fires are prohibited and camping permits are required. You’ll need to lodge a bush camping form in... Find out more

---

Castle Rock camping area

Just 400 m from Bald Rock Creek, the forest setting at Castle Rock is suitable for walk-in or vehicle-based camping and there’s plenty of room for large groups. You need to come equipped with firewood and potable... Find out more

---

comments powered by Disqus