Idalia National Park

• Introduction
• Fact file


Introduction

Set in the Gowan Range in central western Queensland, Idalia National Park is a dry, remote wilderness. Although the park encompasses the headwaters of the Bulloo River and the tributaries of the Barcoo River, the waterways have wide, sandy beds that are usually dry, except following big rains. There are a number of pastoral relics, including Old Idalia, the site of an abandoned musterer’s hut and stockyards. Visitors must be self-reliant.Most of the park supports vast tracts of mulga shrublands, but there are also open woodlands of bimble box and silver-leaved ironbark near the Bulloo River, and river red gums lining the waterways. Dawson gums and lancewood (Acacia sp.) grow on the Gowan Range escarpment. Idalia is a refuge for the yellow-footed rock-wallaby, whose numbers here have been devastated by feral animals, and the bridled nailtail wallaby, another endangered species. There are also western grey and red kangaroos, wallaroos, black-striped wallabies and koalas. Among the birds are finches, sulphur-crested cockatoos, eastern ringnecks, mulga parrots and wedge-tailed eagles.There are three marked walking trails: Emma Pocket Lookout (4.4 km return, 1½ hours), offering panoramic views over the northern end of the park; Bullock Gorge circuit (1.2 km, 30 minutes); and Old Idalia ruins to Wave Rock walk (1.6 km return, 45 minutes), leading to a wave-shaped cliff overhang with stunning views. From the information centre, a signposted self-guided drive (14 km) leads to Monk’s Tank. From Monk’s Tank, a drive (4.3 km) leads to the colourful sandstone rock formations of Rainbow Gorge, and a longer drive (8.9 km) ends at a shady gorge known as Murphy’s Rockhole.

Fact file

Camping

Monk’s Tank; permit and fees apply

Location and access

893 km west of Brisbane; 100 km south-west of Blackall via Yaraka Rd and Idalia–Benlidi Rd

Park Information

• NQIS (07) 3227 8185
• Park ranger (07) 4657 5033
• QPWS Longreach (07) 4652 7333

Size

144 000 ha

Where to Stay

Blackall (07) 4657 4637


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• Campsites

Campsites

Monk’s Tank camping area

Monk’s Tank has a clearing for self-sufficient camping with permits available from a self-registration station. To reach Idalia National Park, follow Isisford Rd from Blackall for 42 km then turn left onto Yaraka... Find out more

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