Visiting Blackdown Tableland safely

Getting there and getting around

• Blackdown Tableland National Park map (PDF, 1.3MB)

Blackdown Tableland National Park lies in central Queensland 183km west of Rockhampton. The signed turn-off to the park via Charlevue Road is on the Capricorn Highway, 11km west of Dingo or 110km east of Emerald (35km east of Blackwater).

Charlevue Road is sealed. The 6km climb from the base of the tableland to Yaddamen Dhina (Horseshoe lookout) is narrow, very windy and steep. It is accessible to 2WD vehicles, though unsuitable for towing heavy trailers or caravans.

The roads beyond Yaddamen Dhina are unsealed, slippery and windy. A 4WD vehicle is recommended. Munall camping area is a further 8km past Yaddamen Dhina. The 4WD Loop Road is suitable for “4WD vehicles” only!

Contact the Department of Transport and Main Roads or the local council to find out about the condition of roads used to access the park and the Bureau of Meteorology for weather reports and forecasts.

Check park alerts for the latest information on road conditions in the national park.

Wheelchair accessibility

Wheelchair-accessible toilets are available at Yaddamen Dhina and Munall camping area. The walking track from the carpark at Yaddamen Dhina to the lookout is also accessible to wheelchairs, assistance may be required.

Staying safe

Be well prepared and responsible for your own safety—even on a short stroll.

When out and about in the national park:

• Walk with care and beware of pea gravel (that occurs naturally), which can be extremely slippery.
• Never walk alone. Always let a responsible person know where you are going and when you expect to return. Plan to finish your walk in the daylight.
• Keep to the marked walking tracks and stay behind safety barriers.
• Heed all safety and warning signs.
• Watch your step and stay well back from cliff edges and sheer rock faces—cliff edges may be crumbly. Serious injury or death can result from a fall.
• Supervise children closely.
• Never dive or jump into creeks. Creeks and waterholes hide dangers such as submerged logs and rocks, water depth is variable and unpredictable.
• Wear protective clothing and sturdy footwear, a hat and sunscreen. Avoid exercise in the heat of the day.

Take:

• Extra food and drinking water in case your walk takes longer than expected.
• A first-aid kit—and know how to use it.
• At least one form of communication equipment. Satellite phones and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) are the most effective in this area. Mobile phone coverage is unreliable in most areas of the national park.

When driving:

• All Queensland road rules apply on the national park.
• Be alert for other vehicles at all times, especially when approaching blind corners.
• Drive slowly to avoid locking your brakes and losing control.
• Ensure that your vehicle is in sound mechanical order. Drive according to the road conditions, your and your vehicle’s capabilities.

In an emergency

For all emergencies, call Triple Zero (000).

There is variable mobile phone coverage at Yaddamen Dhina lookout. We recommend you visit the Triple Zero website before visiting the national park. You can also download the free emergency+ app before you leave home—the GPS functionality can provide critical location details to emergency services. Important: if there is no mobile coverage on any network, you will not be able to reach the Emergency Call Service via a mobile phone.

Please read the stay safe and visit with care information.

Before you visit

Essentials to bring

Prepare well and bring:

• Enough food and water—there is no drinking water provided.
• A first-aid kit—and know how to use it.
• Reliable communication equipment.
• Sturdy footwear.
• Sun protection—wear a hat, shirt and sunscreen, even on overcast days, to avoid sunburn.
• Secure containers to store food and rubbish so that it is inaccessible to wildlife—bins are not provided.
• Firewood—bring only clean milled timber for use as firewood. Collecting bush wood and kindling is prohibited.

Opening hours

Blackdown Tableland National Park is open 24 hours a day. Some areas of the park may be closed at times due to extreme weather, fires, management operations and for culture purposes. Check park alerts for the latest information on national park and forests access, closures and conditions.

Permits and fees

Camping

If you intend to camp you will need a camping permit. Fees apply. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your camp site.

• Book your campsite online.
• If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.

Other permits

Various activities conducted in the national park may require a permit. These activities include commercial tours, geocaching, social events (such as weddings), organised group visits, school excursions, scientific research, and sale of photographs or vision of Blackdown Tableland National Park. Contact us for further information.

Pets

Domestic animals are not permitted in Blackdown Tableland National Park.

Climate and weather

Daytime temperatures average 24-30°C in summer and 5-15°C in winter. Be prepared for cool nights, particularly in winter when temperatures can fall below 0°C. Dense fog often blankets the tableland. Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Fuel and supplies

Fuel and supplies are available at Dingo, approximately 29km from the park boundary.