Deepwater National Park Gladstone

Deepwater National Park features stunning coastal scenery. Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw

About Deepwater

    Park features

    The park's diverse vegetation of coastal scrubs, eucalypt woodlands, wet heaths and sedgelands surround Deepwater Creek and its tributaries. Tannins and other substances leached from surrounding heath plants stain the creek water brown. The creek is fringed by tall forests of swamp mahogany, paperbark and cabbage palms, and is broken in places by shallow sections of reed bed and paperbark forest. In these areas water only flows during the wet season.

    Deepwater supports diverse birdlife such as emus, red-tailed black-cockatoos, honeyeaters, brahminy kites and waterbirds. Nesting turtles frequent Deepwater Beach from October to April; turtle hatchlings emerge from the nests from January, usually at night.

    Looking after the park

    You can help protect the park and forest so it can be enjoyed now and in the future by observing these guidelines:

    • Everything in the park (living or dead) is protected. Do not take or interfere with plants, animals, soil or rocks.
    • Ensure campfires are put out properly with water, not sand, before retiring for the night or leaving your camp site.
    • Keep your vehicle on the tracks; shortcutting and venturing off the track creates impacts such as erosion and soil compaction.
    • Vehicles are not permitted on beaches.
    • Use toilets if available. If bush toileting, ensure all faecal matter and toilet paper is properly buried at least 15cm deep and 100m from tracks, camp sites and waterways. Bag and carry out disposable nappies and sanitary products.
    • Take your rubbish home for appropriate disposal. Do not hang rubbish bags from trees or tents. Never bury or leave rubbish in the park.
    • When bathing or washing cooking equipment or clothes, always wash at least 100m from streams and lakes. Waterways and the ocean should be kept free of all pollutants including soap, detergents, shampoo, sunscreens and food scraps.
    • Do not feed or leave food for animals. Human food can harm wildlife and cause some animals to become aggressive. Store food in lockable boxes.
    • Contact the Queensland Government Wildlife Hotline to report: wildlife incidents, marine animal strike, marine stranding or an injured, sick or dead turtle, dolphin or whale.

    Also see the guidelines for caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

    Park management

    The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) manages Deepwater National Park under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 to preserve and present its important natural and cultural values in perpetuity.

    The national park will be managed in accordance with the Protected areas in the Agnes Water/1770 area Management Plan (PDF, 42.6MB) .

    Read more about the nature, culture and history of Deepwater National Park.

    Tourism information links

    Agnes Water / 1770 Visitor Information Centre
    www.gladstoneregion.info
    71 Springs Road
    Agnes Water, Qld 4677
    ph (07) 4902 1533
    email agneswatervic@gapdl.com.au

    Bundaberg Visitor Information Centre
    www.bundabergregion.org
    36 Avenue Street
    Bundaberg, Qld 4670
    ph (07) 4153 8888 or 1300 722 099
    email info@bundabergregion.org

    For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.