Main Range National Park

• Introduction
• Fact file


Introduction

Stretching for 55 kilometres along the Great Dividing Range, World Heritage-listed Main Range National Park forms the western part of a crescent of mountains in south-east Queensland known as the Scenic Rim. The park boasts impressive peaks and escarpments, and the delightful Queen Mary Falls. In 1828, explorer Allan Cunningham discovered a passage through the mountains, and Cunninghams Gap was named in his honour. Spicers Gap to the south was discovered in 1847 by stockman Henry Alphen; the historic Spicers Gap Road took drays laden with Darling Downs produce to the port of Brisbane. Aboriginal people travelling between the inland and the coast are believed to have followed the route through Spicers Gap. Declared in 1909, Main Range was one of Queensland’s first national parks. There are three main types of vegetation: rainforest in the moist, sheltered areas, open eucalypt forest on the high ridges and slopes, and mountain heath on the cliffs and rocky outcrops. Wildflowers, including giant spear lilies and orchids, appear in spring. Birdlife is abundant. Look for the satin bowerbird, bell miner, eastern bristlebird, Bassian thrush, Australian king-parrot, the critically endangered double-eyed fig-parrot (subsp. coxeni) and the rare black-breasted button-quail. Picnic spots are plentiful and there are spectacular views from Governor’s Chair (to the New South Wales border), and Sylvester’s and Fassifern lookouts. Renowned for its bushwalks, there are trails at Cunninghams Gap, Spicers Gap and Queen Mary Falls. The rest of the park is a rugged wilderness suitable only for experienced, well-equipped bushwalkers.

Fact file

Camping

West Gap Creek, Spicers Gap; bush camping in remote areas; permit and fees apply

Location and access

112 km south-west of Brisbane; 50 km east of Warwick via Cunningham Hwy

Park Information

NQIS (07) 3227 8185 Park ranger (07) 4666 1133

Size

18 400 ha

Where to Stay

Boonah (07) 5463 2233

Warwick (07) 4661 3122


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• Campsites

Campsites

Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park

Great for kids, you can hand-feed king parrots, take a twilight animal-viewing walk or stroll to beautiful Queen Mary Falls opposite this caravan park. The office has an adjoining cafe, there’s a laundry, and... Find out more

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Main Range camping area (bush camping)

Bush campsites for self-sufficient campers are located in remote areas of the park and can only be reached by walking. There are 14 walking tracks in Main Range National Park; track gradings and surfaces vary widely.... Find out more

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Spicers Gap camping area

Spicers Gap is a small walk-in campground on the eastern side of the gap, with good walking trails nearby. A maximum of 50 campers are allowed, but there’s the freedom of setting up anywhere in the mown area. It... Find out more

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