Blackdown Tableland National Park Capricorn

Photo credit: Peter Lik © Tourism and Events Queensland

Things to do

    Camping and accommodation

    Camping

    Relax in Munall camping area's cool and quiet bush surrounding. Close to some of the parks popular walking tracks. It is a great place to make your base.

    Bookings essential! Remember to book in advance to stay at Munall camping area, as sites are limited.

    Camping permits are required and fees apply. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your camp site.

    Other accommodation

    A variety of caravan parks and hotel or motel accommodation is available in the Central Highlands region. For more information see the tourism information links or Queensland Holidays.

    Walking

    Walking is the most popular thing to do at Blackdown Tableland. A range of walking tracks take you to the park's heritage sites, creeks and through a variety of plant communities. Lookouts provide the opportunity to take in stunning views and capture memorable photographs.

    Walk with care! Some of the walking tracks pass by the edge of cliffs (the escarpment) and sheer rock faces. Watch your step and keep well back from the cliff edge—it may be crumbly. Supervise children closely and stay behind safety barriers.

    Remember, always follow the parks and forests Walk with care guidelines.

    Pass through eucalypt forest on the Goodela walk.Open larger image

    Pass through eucalypt forest on the Goodela walk.

    Photo credit: Linda Thompson © Queensland Government

    Pea gravel, which occurs naturally, can make the walking tracks quite slippery.Open larger image

    Walk with care. Pea gravel, which occurs naturally, can make the walking tracks quite slippery.

    Photo credit: Linda Thompson © Queensland Government

    Yaddamen Dhina

    Grade 1

    Distance: 200m return
    Time: 5min
    Details: Catch a stunning view of the distant ranges (the sunsets are spectacular!) or admire the variety of wattles growing along the short track to the lookout. Alternatively, simply relax and enjoy a picnic in the Yaddamen Dhina day-use area.

    Goodela

    Grade 3

    Distance: 3.6km return
    Time: 1hr
    Details: This return walk begins at the Yaddamen Dhina day-use area. The track meanders its way through eucalypt forest, close to the escarpment near Yaddamen Dhina lookout, passing over a seasonal flowing creek. Notice the delicate ferns and mosses that thrive in the sheltered creek environment or watch for wildlife in the surrounding bush as you rest at the track’s end.

    Goon Goon Dhina

    Grade 3

    Distance: 2.5km circuit
    Time: 1hr
    Details: Stroll from the camping area past the ruins of an old cattle yard and then upstream along Mimosa Creek to a Ghungalu art site. Learn about the park's history and how Ghungalu people use plants for food and shelter.

    Mook Mook

    Grade 3

    Distance: 2.4km return
    Time: 50min
    Details: This walk begins opposite the turn-off into the Munall camping area. Follow the track across Mimosa Creek and over gentle ridges to a lookout on the edge of the tableland, which provides views of the sandstone cliffs and distant ranges.

    Gudda Gumoo lookout

    Grade 3

    Distance: 3.6km return
    Time: 1.5hr
    Details: Stop and admire rough stringybarks and spiky grasstrees on the way to Gudda Gumoo lookout—where you can gaze across the gorge to distant plains and hills. Learn about the significance of Moonda Gudda (the creation ancestor) to the Ghungalu people and this landscape. Remember, keep well back from the edge of the cliff on this walk.

    Gudda Gumoo gorge

    Grade 4

    Distance: 4km return
    Time: 2hr
    Details: Watch your step and brave the 240-stair descent deep down into Gudda Gumoo gorge. A cool retreat where damp fern fronds glisten and colourful birds come to cool off. Sit and ponder life at this tranquil rock pool at the base of the falls. You may catch a glimpse of a rainbow in the water flowing over the red-stained sandstone ledges. Beware! Nature hazards such as pea gravel and unfenced cliff edges occur along this walk.

    Important cultural awareness message: The Gudda Gumoo area is of deep cultural significance to the Ghungalu people. Do not venture to or enter other waterholes in the area. Please respect this special place and Ghungalu culture by staying on signed designated walking track.

    Remote hikes

    Rugged gorges and sandstone escarpments challenge even the most experienced bushwalkers. The Blackdown Tableland landscape offers a rich mosaic of natural beauty and cultural mystique of great significance to the Ghungalu people.

    Before embarking on a remote hike, research and plan your trip well in advance. Remember, some areas may be inappropriate to enter. Leave an itinerary and contingency plan with a responsible person. Follow the Parks and forests Walk with care remote walking guidelines and check the Blackdown Tableland park alerts on this webpage.

    Accidents can happen to even the most experience bushwalker. A high level of physical fitness, navigational and first-aid skills are essential for undertaking a remote hike in this national park.

    Driving

    Blackdown scenic drive

    Explore this unique landscape by taking a scenic drive. The park’s main access road weaves its way for 6km up the tableland through acacia, heath and tall woodland plant communities. Slow down to appreciate the sweeping views across the plains and to admire the diverse plant communities. Stop for a picnic, or to stretch your legs, at Yaddamen Dhina day-use area.

    To access the sites beyond Yaddamen Dhina, a 4WD vehicle is recommended. The unsealed roads are windy, narrow and slippery.

    Be aware it is pea gravel (which occurs naturally) that makes the unsealed roads in the national park quite slippery. Slow is safe—especially when approaching corners and passing other vehicles.

    4WD Loop Road—19km loop

    Four-wheel drive past tall open forests and magnificent sandstone outcrops alive with basket ferns and king orchids on this 19km one-way track. Take a break at Mitha Boongulla to catch panoramic views out across the surrounding plains.

    Caution is required when driving the 4WD Loop Road as sections are narrow and steep. Keep to the designated track, heed all safety and park management signage. Remember, penalties apply for entering unauthorised areas.

    Please note, the 4WD Loop Road is subject to closures. The track in the dry weather can turn into bull dust and, in the rain, a bog.

    Picnic and day-use areas

    Yaddamen Dhina (Horseshoe lookout)

    Enjoy a picnic, stretch your legs or gaze out over the distant ranges. Yaddamen Dhina has free gas barbecues, picnic tables, wheelchair-accessible toilets and the park’s information shelter is close by. It is a short 200m return walk to the lookout. Remember to treat water in the taps before drinking and to take all your rubbish with you when you leave—bins are not provided.

    Viewing wildlife

    The best way to see Blackdown's birdlife is to wake with them at Munall camping area. Kingfishers and cockatoos flit through the forest adding a dash of colour to the landscape, while robins and tree-creepers blend in with the bush. Peregrine falcons, wedge-tailed eagles and goshawks hunt and roost along cliffs and escarpments. Honeyeaters, thornbills and rainbow bee-eaters can be spotted in heath communities.

    By day, skinks, geckos and goannas bask on sandstone ledges. Look carefully—they're easy to miss!

    By night, gliders, powerful owls and insectivorous bats take to the air. Take a torchlight stroll around the camping area and try to catch their reflective eye-shine.