Visiting Bulburin safely

Four-wheel-drive loop road.

Photo credit: Lisa Emmert, Queensland Government

Rock pools can be found in many of the creeks in Bulburin National Park.

Photo credit: Mike Taylor, Queensland Government

Four-wheel-drive road.

Photo credit: Mike Taylor, Queensland Government

Getting there and getting around

• Bulburin National Park map (PDF, 179.5KB)

Bulburin National Park is approximately 120km south of Gladstone and approximately 75km north-east of Monto. Two-wheel-drive access is not recommended and only possible from Builyan on the Gladstone-Monto Road in dry road conditions. Check Park alerts for any road closures before visiting.

To get to Builyan from the Bruce Highway, turn west into Blackmans Gap Road, 98km north of Gin Gin, or 1.7km south of Miriam Vale. This is a two-wheel-drive access road. Travel approximately 28km to the Gladstone-Monto Road, turn left and continue approximately 8km to Builyan.

At Builyan, turn into Dalga Road and continue 16km along the Bulburin Forest Road to the site of the old forestry barracks. Take extra care on Bulburin Forest Drive as logging trucks and heavy vehicles use this access through the national park. A four-wheel-drive through route leads 33km to the Bruce Highway.

To get to Bulburin National Park from the Bruce Highway turn west into Granite Creek Forestry Road near the Granite Creek rest area, 64km north of Gin Gin or 38km south of Miriam Vale. This access road is four-wheel drive only and there is currently a 2 tonne load limit on the Gladstone Regional Council bridge along this access.

Wheelchair accessibility

There are no wheelchair accessible facilities in Bulburin National Park.

Staying safe

Whether you go for a short stroll or stay overnight, be self-sufficient and take care of yourself.

• Watch for wildlife and cattle on roads, particularly around creek and river crossings.
• In wet weather unsealed roads become slippery and may become impassable—check weather forecasts before you arrive and do not attempt the tracks when wet.
• Stay with your vehicle if it breaks down. A vehicle is much easier to find than a person.
• Only attempt the scenic four-wheel-drive Loop Road and the Dawes Range Road south to the Bruce Highway from the camping area in a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
• Never walk alone. Tell family or friends where you are going and when you expect to return. Ensure you notify your contact person when you return.
• Always carry a first-aid kit and extra drinking water in case your journey takes longer than expected.
• Keep clear of cliff edges. Keep to marked tracks and make sure children do not run ahead.
• Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for protection from the sun, cold and venomous bites.
• Beware of falling trees and branches during severe storms and strong winds.
• Carry communication equipment—a satellite phone, UHF radio and/or EPIRB is recommended as mobile reception is poor.

For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.

In an emergency

In case of accident or other emergency:

• Call Triple Zero (000)
• call 106 for a text-only message for deaf or speech or hearing impaired callers.
• Advise the location and nature of emergency.
• Stay on the phone until you are told to hang up.

The nearest hospitals are located at Gladstone and Monto.

Mobile reception is poor—a satellite phone is recommended. Call for assistance on UHF emergency channel 5, which is monitored by emergency authorities.

Before you visit

Essentials to bring

There are no facilities available at the park, so you must be self-sufficient. Plan ahead and ensure you bring enough fuel, food and drinking water.

• Bring a fuel or gas stove for cooking (test before you leave) or bring your own clean, milled timber for firewood.
• Carry a well-equipped, remote-area first-aid kit and know how to use it.
• Pack an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) and UHF radio or satellite phone. There is poor mobile reception in the park.
• All vehicles should include vehicle recovery equipment for boggy sections.
• Pack strong rubbish bags, so you can take your rubbish with you when you leave. Rubbish bins are not provided. Do not place rubbish in campfires.
• Pack appropriate clothing. Wear sturdy footwear. Be prepared for cool nights, especially in winter.
• Bring insect repellent and sunscreen.
• Please bring a shovel for burying toilet waste. There are no toilets in the park.
• Bring your camera and binoculars for viewing wildlife. Torches—preferably with a red filter to reduce light intensity—are useful for spotlighting at night.
• Picnic tables are provided at some locations.

Opening hours

Bulburin National Park is open 24 hours a day.

Permits and fees

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

• Find out more about Bulburin camping areas.
• Book your camping permit online.
• If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.

Other permits

A special permit is not required for recreational activities in Eurimbula National Park unless they are organised events or large scale competitive events. If an activity or visit to a protected area includes commercial photography or filming—that is, to sell photographs or film footage taken on a protected area or use photographs or footage in a product which will later be sold, such as a book or postcard—a permit must be obtained and a fee paid.

Pets

Domestic animals are not permitted in Bulburin National Park.

Climate and weather

The climate at Bulburin is generally the same as the surrounding area (Miriam Vale), though it can be up to 3–5ºC cooler than surrounding lowlands depending on the time of year. Rainfall is higher than surrounding areas with most rain falling during summer. After heavy rainfall, view park alerts to check conditions.

Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Fuel and supplies

The closest fuel and supplies are available at Miriam Vale, Ubobo, Monto or Gin Gin.

For more information see the tourism information links.