Things to do
Follow the track to a great view of the crater below.
Photo credit: Sophia Levy © Queensland Government
View of the surrounding farmland with Mount Walla in the distance.
Photo credit: Sophia Levy © Queensland Government
The bird hides are nestled amongst flowering Melaleuca bracteate in late Spring.
Photo credit: Sophia Levy © Queensland Government
Watch the antics of the gregarious double-barred finches as they dart to the ground to forage for seeds.
Photo credit: Graham Winterflood © Creative Commons
Camping and accommodation
Camping is not permitted in Coalstoun Lakes National Park.
Other accommodation
Accommodation is available in and around the township of Biggenden, 20km to the north, or in Gayndah which is 45km west of Coalstoun Lakes National Park.
For further information see tourism information links.
Walking
Take binoculars, wear a hat, sunscreen and protective clothing to avoid being scratched by prickly shrubs in the vine thicket.
Coalstoun Lakes walking track
Distance: 4.4km return (one-way distances to features—first viewpoint: 500m; first bird hide: 800m; second bird hide: 2.2km)
Time: allow 2–3hrs
Details: Walk up the northern side of the crater to the crater rim for stunning views of the first crater lake, surrounding rural landscape and Mount Walsh National Park.
Descend to the first shallow lake and bird hide, then continue around the edge of the lake through dry rainforest, over a ridge with landscape views, and down to the second crater lake and bird hide.
The lakes are fringed by black tea tree Melaleuca bracteata and in dry periods sedgeland plants thrive in the empty lake beds.
The dry rainforest here is one of only a few remaining examples in this region. Bottle trees, crows ash and leopard ash trees protrude above a dense understorey. The three-leaved Bosistoa transversa growing here is vulnerable to extinction.
Viewing wildlife
Coalstoun Lakes offers excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife. Enjoy spending time at the bird hides observing wildlife around the lakes and in the dry rainforest canopy. The two bird hides along the track are most useful when the lakes are full after heavy rain, and water birds flock to the two crater lakes.
White-faced heron, rose-crowned fruit-dove and double-barred finches can all be seen because of the range of habitats within the small area in and around the lakes. During dryer periods, water birds are replaced by wedge-tailed eagles and swamp harriers that can be seen searching for prey on the dry lake bed.
- There are currently no park alerts for this park.