Burrum Coast National Park Bundaberg | Fraser Coast

Enjoy great views across the peaceful Theodolite Creek from the day-use area. Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw

Quiet beaches, flourishing wetlands and abundant wildlife make Burrum Coast National Park a great spot to retreat and relax. Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw

Theodolite Creek day-use area

There’s so much to do here! Relax in the shade, watch the waders and shorebirds, kayak in the creek or catch a fish for dinner.

Accessible by

  • High clearance 4WD
  • Boat

Attraction facilities

  • Picnic tables

Feel totally relaxed at this creek side day-use area, shaded by a woodland of swamp paperbarks, blue gums, pink bloodwoods and weeping cabbage palms. Sheltered from prevailing south-easterly winds, the day-use area has sweeping views of peaceful Theodolite Creek.

If you’re a keen birdwatcher, waders and migratory shorebirds spend time at this creek mouth. Birdwatch from the bank or slip a kayak or canoe into the creek for a closer look.

Fishing and crabbing is bountiful and you might be lucky enough to snag dinner.

Getting there and getting around

Theodolite Creek day-use area is in Burrum Coast National Park, 46km north of Maryborough or 57km south of Bundaberg in the Wide Bay area. The park is spread over four sections—Kinkuna, Woodgate, Burrum River and Buxton sections.

Theodolite Creek day-use area is in the Kinkuna section of the park and can be accessed only by high-clearance 4WD. All-wheel-drive vehicles, vehicles with low clearance, vehicles towing trailers, boats and caravans are not recommended.

  • Remember all vehicles must be registered, drivers must be licensed and all Queensland road rules apply, even on beaches.
  • Read 4WD with care for important information on 4WD safety and minimal impact driving.
  • Take care to read the signs and watch out for heavy mine trucks that frequently use Palm Beach Road. Do not enter the sand mining leases as sign posted. We recommend that you use UHF radio channel 12 to listen for oncoming heavy traffic and alert other users of your whereabouts while on Palm Beach Road.

From the south to Kinkuna section

  • Follow the Bruce Highway north to Childers and turn right onto Goodwood Road.
  • To access the park from the north, drive 39.5km, turn right on Coonarr Road and drive 7.8km, then turn right onto Palm Beach Road and drive a further 1.5km to the northern park entrance.
  • Drive another 5.9km along Palm Beach Road to the junction with the road leading to northern part of the Kinkuna camping area.
  • Turn right and follow this road for 3.1km to the last (southern-most) beach access track.
  • Turn right and drive 800m to the next junction, keep left and follow this track a further 4.7km to the day-use area.
  • To access the park from the south, drive about 24km and turn right onto Woodgate Road, drive 18km then turn left onto Woppis Road, then Beach Road through the park to the Theodolite Creek day-use area.

From the north to Kinkuna section

  • Follow Takalvan Street south from Bundaberg and turn left onto Walker Street.
  • Drive 2.4km then turn right onto Barolin Street towards Goodwood and Burrum Coast.
  • Follow Barolin Street and Goodwood Road for 12.6km, and turn left on Coonarr Road and drive another 7.8km
  • Turn right onto Palm Beach Road and travel 1.5km to the northern park entrance.
  • Drive another 5.9km along Palm Beach Road to the junction with the road leading to northern part of the Kinkuna camping area.
  • Turn right and follow this road for 3.1km to the last (southern-most) beach access track.
  • Turn right and drive 800m to the next junction, keep left and follow this track a further 4.7km to the day-use area.

Wheelchair access

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Theodolite Creek day-use area is open 24 hours a day

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Burrum Coast safely.