Visiting Bellthorpe safely

Branch Creek.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

Getting there and getting around

• Sunshine Coast Hinterland locality map (PDF, 386.8KB)
• Bellthorpe National Park map (PDF, 155.1KB)

From Brisbane, head north to Caboolture then follow the D’Aguliar Highway west through Woodford and take the Stony Creek Road exit approximately 6km out of Woodford.

From the north, head south on the Bruce Highway and take the Bells Creek interchange—exit 179. Follow the signs to Beerwah, then turn left onto the Kilcoy–Beerwah Road. Travel for approximately 31km, and turn right onto the D’Aguliar Highway. Turn onto Stony Creek Road, approximately 3km north along the highway.

From Stony Creek Road, follow the signs to Stony Creek day-use area—it is accessible by a bitumen and unsealed road.

The majority of other roads within the park are dry weather only, four-wheel drive roads that require high clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles and drivers experienced in low range, low speed forest road driving conditions.

• Refer to the Bellthorpe National Park map (PDF, 155.1KB) to plan your route.

At times roads within the park may be closed for visitor safety—check Park Alerts for current Bellthorpe closures. When you visit the park, look out for closure signs and do not enter closed areas.

Wheelchair accessibility

Picnic tables and the toilets at Stony Creek day-use area are wheelchair accessible.

Staying safe

Check park alerts for current warnings or closures. Closures can occur during severe wet weather, during high winds and for fire management. For your safety, do not enter the park when closure signs are displayed.

• Choose activities that suit the skills, experience and fitness of your group.
• Avoid exploring the park during wet weather. Tracks and rock surfaces can be slippery, especially after rain.
• Do not attempt to cross flooded creeks. If you are caught out on the tracks when creek crossings flood, wait until the water no longer covers the track. Water rises and falls in a short period of time.
• Water hazards: slippery rocks, submerged objects and variable creek depth.
  • The creek contains submerged logs and rocks. Serious injury or death may result from jumping or diving in the water.
  • Take care on rocks, as they may be very slippery.
  • Be aware, the creek lines contain large boulders that can be wet and slippery and considerable care needs to be taken to avoid injury if traversing these features.
• Stay on track and supervise children at all times.
• Never explore alone—if something happens to you, someone in your group can go for help.
• Tell friends or family where you are going and when you expect to return. If you change your plans, inform them.
• Carry a fully charged mobile phone and consider taking a personal locator beacon (PLB) if you are travelling away from main tracks.
• Carry sufficient drinking water.
• Carry a first aid-kit and insect repellent.
• Protect yourself from the sun. Wear sunscreen, a hat and long-sleeved shirt, even on cloudy days.
• Wear suitable shoes.
• Observe and comply with all regulatory signs.

Drive safely on forest roads:

• Ensure your vehicle is mechanically sound—carry essential spares, water, tyre gauge, and air pump.
• Slow Down. Allow time to react to unexpected situations and changed conditions. You may encounter other drivers, cyclists, walkers, horse riders, cattle and wildlife.
• Expect to encounter logging trucks and heavy vehicles on Mountford Road and Brandons Road.
• Be courteous. Pull over to the left to allow vehicles to pass. Do not stop in the middle of the roadway—for photography and enjoying the scenery. Find a safe place to pull over or turn around.
• Watch out for corners and steep slopes. Drive carefully around corners, especially after rain. Stay on your side of the road and avoid sudden slowing. Shift down a gear when roads are steep.
• All road rules apply. Obey speed limits. Always wear a seat belt. Never carry passengers outside of the vehicle.
• Avoid using forest roads during and immediately after wet weather to reduce damage to road surfaces and for your own safety. Do not attempt to cross flooded creeks.

For all emergencies call 000. Mobile phone reception can be limited but better on higher points in the park in these areas.

For more information about staying safe while visiting national parks, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.

Before you visit

Essentials to bring

• Bring adequate drinking water, a first-aid kit, insect repellent and a mobile phone (reception can be limited but better on higher points in the park).
• Wear suitable shoes, sunscreen, a hat and long-sleeved shirt.
• Bring rubbish bags to remove your rubbish and recyclables from the park. Rubbish bins are not provided.

Opening hours

For your safety, explore Bellthorpe National Park in daylight hours only.

Permits and fees

Permits are required for commercial and organised events. View permits and fees for further information.

Pets

Domestic animals are not permitted in Bellthorpe National Park.

Climate and weather

The Bellthorpe area has a mild, subtropical climate. The average daily temperature range is 18°C to 28°C in summer and 11°C to 20°C in winter.

For more information see the Bureau of Meteorology website and tourism information links.

Fuel and supplies

Fuel and supplies are available at Woodford, Kilcoy and other towns in the region. For more information see the tourism information links.