Cordalba State Forest Bundaberg

Mountain bike riders on the Joey trail, Cordalba State Forest. Photo credit: ©️ John Gatley

Visiting Cordalba State Forest safely

    The Promisedland mountain bike trail car park is accessible by conventional vehicle in dry weather conditions.

    The Promisedland mountain bike trail car park is accessible by conventional vehicle in dry weather conditions.

    Photo credit: Cathy Gatley

    Getting ready for a mountain bike ride in the Promisedland car park.

    Getting ready for a mountain bike ride in the Promisedland car park.

    Photo credit: John Gatley

    Getting there and getting around

    Cordalba State Forest is located in the Burnett Valley between Childers and Gin Gin.

    From Childers travel north along the Bruce Highway through Apple Tree Creek and take the Isis Highway turnoff, then take the Cordalba/Claytons Road turnoff to the left. Follow Claytons road for 1.1km to the T intersection with Hodges Road, turn right onto Hodges Road, travel 100m and turn left onto Promisedland Road. Travel for about 7.6km on Promisedland Road which veers right and then turns left (where Rapleys Road is straight ahead) before reaching the Forestry camp mountain bike trailhead turnoff on the left. Follow the unsealed forest road 150m to the Forestry camp trailhead. The Hilltop mountain bike trailhead is a further 1.6km along Promisedland Road from the Forestry camp trailhead turnoff.

    From Bundaberg travel south along the Isis Highway for 22km until you reach the Phillips Road turn-off. Continue along the unsealed Phillips Road for approximately 16km and then turn left onto Promisedland Road. Travel for approximately1.3km before turning right at the signed turn-off for the Hilltop mountain bike trailhead. The Forestry camp mountain bike trailhead is a further 1.6km along Promisedland road.

    The car parks for Promisedland mountain bike trailheads are accessible by conventional vehicles, in dry conditions.

    Map

    Wheelchair accessibility

    Cordalba State Forest is not wheelchair accessible.

    Staying safe

    Your safety is our concern, but your responsibility.

    Plan ahead:

    • Leave a copy of your plans with a responsible friend or family member.
    • Ensure contingency plans are in place should something go wrong.
    • If you change your plans, ensure you tell this person too.

    Drivers!

    • Be prepared for the unexpected—slow down, especially on gravel roads, and give yourself time to react to changed road conditions and hazards.
    • Ensure your vehicle is mechanically sound—carry essential spares, water, tyre gauge and air pump.
    • Keep to the graded roads—other roads may peter out into overgrown unused logging tracks with few or no opportunities to turn around.
    • Observe and comply with the instructions on all signs.
    • Stay alert for landmarks and distances in case you need to retrace your journey or tell rescuers where you are.

    Riders!

    • Always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear.
    • Only ride on trails that suit your cycling abilities.
    • Pay attention to trail grades and safety signs.
    • Ride according to track conditions.
    • Always ride with others—keep groups to fewer than 12.
    • Be aware of walkers, fallen trees or wildlife.
    • Slow down and warn other riders when approaching.
    • Give way when riding downhill.
    • Avoid skidding and sliding around turns and downhill to prevent collisions and minimise trail damage.
    • Keep tracks in good condition by not riding during or immediately after wet weather.
    • Respect areas closed to riding—ride on open trails only.
    • Stay on marked trails and formed roads—riding over vegetation, taking shortcuts and forming new trails damages plants and wildlife habitat. Do not venture off-road. Penalties apply.
    • Plan ahead, ride within your ability and according to trail conditions.
    • Avoid riding during and after rain when tracks are soft, wet and muddy.
    • On mountain bike trails follow the give-way code—slow down or stop when approaching other trail users.
    • Trail bikes:
      • must be road registered and licensed.
      • must give-way to horses and mountain bikes.
      • are not permitted on mountain bike trails

    For all emergencies

    • Call Triple Zero (000).
    • Advise the location and nature of the emergency.
    • Stay on the phone until you are told to hang up.
    • If mobile phone reception is not available, try UHF ch5 (emergency channel) for assistance.

    In case of an accident:

    • The nearest hospital is in Childers, approximately 17km.
    • Call for help, but be aware that mobile phone coverage is limited.
    • Stay with and monitor any injured people.
    • Stay in or near your car if safe—a car is easier to find than a single person wandering through the bush.
    • Do not try to walk through the bush to find help—the area has many trails and roads, some of which are dead-ends.

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

    Before you visit

    Be aware:

    • Mobile phone reception is not reliable in Cordalba State Forest.
    • Help can be hours away.
    • Police patrol the area anytime.
    • Logging trucks and heavy machinery use the roads.
    • Be aware—four-wheel-drive vehicles traverse management trails.
    • The roads and management trails are suitable for trail bikes, mountain bikes, horses and high clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles.
    • Walkers can access the park and use the roads and management trails too.
    • Camping permits are required before you set up camp.
    • Access into the forest is not permitted in wet weather or in conditions where vehicle tracks sink more than 2cm into the road surface.
    • Expect hazards and unexpected obstacles—it’s a natural area.
    • Logging operations are active in this forest; look out for and heed advisory notices and signs and expect logging trucks and heavy machinery on the roads.
    • If you can see smoke, do not enter the forest; bushfires can move fast.

    Essentials to bring

    • Be self-sufficient—carry enough food, water, navigation and communication equipment—help can be hours away.
    • Take a satellite phone if going into and staying in remote areas.
    • Pack a first-aid kit, sunscreen, insect repellent, sturdy shoes, hat and raincoat.
    • Bring suitable clothing as temperatures in the area soar above 30°C in summer and nights can be cool at any time.
    • Bring your own rubbish bins or bags as rubbish bins are not provided.
    • Pack light and pack right—leave excess packaging at home, store your rubbish securely from wildlife and take it all out with you when you leave.
    • Preferably bring and use fuel or gas stoves—no campfires are permitted in times of fire prohibitions or bans.
    • Bring portable toilets if camping and remove the waste from the State forest.

    Opening hours

    Cordalba State Forest 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.

    Pets

    Dogs are allowed in Cordalba State Forest. They must be on a leash and under control at all times.

    Climate and weather

    The North Burnett area has a climate that is subtropical and sub-humid with rainfall tending to be more concentrated in the months from October to March. Frosts can occur throughout the region, mainly in June to August.

    Average temperatures range from 5°C to 32°C, however temperatures as high as 40°C can be experienced over short periods during the summer months.

    Fuel and supplies

    Fuel and supplies are available in Bundaberg, Childers, Apple Tree Creek and Gin Gin.

    • There are currently no park alerts for this park.