Bunya Mountains National Park is the second oldest national park in Queensland. The national park has on the tentative list for world heritage since 2010.
Understand
Bunya Mountains National Park is the home of the bunya pine. This very ancient tree grows cones weighing up to 10 kg (22 lb).
History
Prior to European colonisation, the Indigenous peoples of Australia gathered here to celebrate the bunya nut harvest.
Landscape
Flora and fauna
- The bunya pine is the king of the park.
- The xanthorrhoea (or black boy).
- The Satin Bowerbird builds a strange nest decorated with blue objects. The male gathers all kind of blue items like flowers, feathers, pieces of plastic or glass and arranges it in his nest in the hope to attract a female. The females look at the different nests and choose for the most beautiful one.
- You'll see many parrots and wallabies in and around the park. Please don't feed them.
Climate
The park is at 500 m (1640 ft) above sea level. The temperature here is several degrees lower than in Brisbane. Even in the summer, the temperature is only 25°C (77°F).
Get in
The park is three hours west from Brisbane. The roads are steep and winding, not suited for caravans. No buses, nor trains, let alone planes.
From Toowoomba, use the A2 Warrego Highway west-north-west for about 25–30 km (16–19 mi) until you reach the town of Jondaryan. Once at Jondarya, turn right onto Jondaryan Sabine Rd and then immediately turn left onto Jondaryan Muldu Rd. Continue on Jondaryan Muldu Rd for 1 km and after that 1 km, turn left onto Jondaryan Nungil Rd and continue for 16 km. After 16 km, continue for another 15 km but on Pechey Maclagan Rd (no turns required). Once you are at the town of Maclagan, turn left onto Bunya Mountains Maclagan Rd and after 14 km, turn onto Bunya Mountains Rd until the end. Follow signage to the park, and you'd have reached Queensland's second national park.
Fees and permits
As with nearly every park in Queensland, the park is free to access.
Get around
There are numerous walks you can do in the park. There are rather easy. Don't forget to bring enough water with you.
- A map of the Bunya Mountains National Park can be found here
See
Plants and animals of the park. The views on some of the lookouts are amazing.
Do
- Walk in the park
- Rest on the terrace of your cabin/house and watch the birds and the wallabies.
Buy
Nothing to buy here. Bring everything you need from the last city that you cross.
Eat
There is a little grocery shop at the entrance of the park. But if you plan to stay some nights in the region, you better take food with you.
Drink
Sleep
Lodging
You can rent a cabin or a house just outside the national park. Some of them are very comfortable, with a terrace when you'll take the breakfast in the company of parrots and a garden full of wallabies.
- Jenny Wren Cottage, Bunya Mountains Titles Estate, via Dalby 4405, ☏ +61 7 4668 3126. A comfortable cottage, living room with firewood, terrace giving on the garden, wonderful view. From $160 per night.
Camping
The park has three main campings — Dandabah, Westcott and Burton's Well. All have toilets and picnic tables. Dandabah is suitable for tents, caravans and large motorhomes. Westcott and Burton's Well are suitable for tents only as cars must remain in carparks nearby. You may book online or by phone at 131304 (national booking number).
Backcountry
Stay safe
Avoid the giant stinging tree and other stinging nettles. Between December and March, take care for the falling bunya cones.