Things to do

Camping and accommodation

Camping

Camping is available in the national park near Emu Swamp or Moonstone Hill. The camping areas are open during the dry season—usually from March to November. They may be closed at other times depending on weather conditions. See park alerts for up-to-date information. There are no facilities so visitors must be self-sufficient. Camping permits are required and fees apply.

• Find out more about Emu Swamp and Moonstone camping areas
• Book your camp site online.
• If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.

Other accommodation

There is a range of holiday accommodation including motels and caravan parks in Hughenden. The Oasis Roadhouse on the Lynd Junction provides caravan accommodation. For more information see the tourism information links.

Birdwatch at Emu Swamp dam. Photo: Eleanor Collins, Queensland Government.

Walking

Map

• Blackbraes National Park map (PDF, 81.4KB)

Fire trails (Grade: easy–moderate)

Distance: various
Time: various depending on route taken
Details: There are no formal walking tracks but visitors can walk along the roads and fire trails throughout the park. Expect to share the roads with trail bikes, vehicles and cyclists. Walkers must not enter private land, adjacent to the park and reserves.

Mountain biking

Mountain bike through Blackbraes National Park on the internal roads and fire breaks. Riders must not enter private land adjacent to the park and reserves. Expect to share the roads with pedestrians, trail bikes, vehicles and other cyclists.

Access to the park may be closed during the wet season. See park alerts for up-to-date information.

For more information, see cycling.

Trail bike riding and four-wheel driving

Ride trail bikes and drive four-wheel-drives through Blackbraes National Park on internal formed roads. Vehicles and bikes must not enter private property adjacent to the park and reserves. Riders and drivers must be licensed and trail bikes and vehicles must be fully registered. Expect to share the roads with pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles.

Stay on formed roads—trail bikes and vehicles are not permitted off-road.

Access to the park may be closed during the wet season. See park alerts for up-to-date information.

For more information, see trail bike riding and four-wheel driving.

Viewing wildlife

Birdwatching at Emu Swamp dam is popular with more than 30 waterbirds recorded from the park and reserves. At night, spotlight for greater gliders, rufous bettongs, bandicoots, insects, frogs and snakes.

• See the description of the park's natural environment for more details about wildlife in Blackbraes National Park.
• To plan a spotlighting trip, see spotlighting.

Other things to do

Gem fossicking

Fossicking at Moonstone Hill Resources Reserve is popular with gem collectors and lapidary enthusiasts. Fossicking in the reserve requires a licence.

Camping is not permitted in the resources reserve, but camping is available in the adjacent national park at Moonstone camping area—book your camp site online.