Diamantina National Park Outback Queensland

Stop to wonder at the unknown ruins on the Warracoota circuit drive. Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw

Discover Diamantina’s spectacularly diverse and ancient landscape. Photo credit: © Fiona Leverington

Warracoota Ruins walking track

Venture to the Warracoota Ruins and see if you can unravel the history of this curious site.

Journey type
Walk
Distance
400m return Start and finish points are the same and the traveller must return via the same path
Time suggested
Allow 45min walking time.
Grade
Easy (walk)

Accessible by

  • 4WD

Journey facilities

  • Walking

Take a step back in time and explore several loose, stone-walled structures atop a ridge, thought to have been built by early pioneers.

As you wander around, look for clues that might shed light on the purpose of these ruins—their history is a mystery. With what appears to be the foundations of a stockyard, it is thought that this place was once a settler outpost.

Still, with no records to support this theory, why not play historian and try to figure it out for yourself!

Getting there and getting around

The Warracoota Ruins walking track is 47km along the Warracoota circuit drive in Diamantina National Park, south-west of Winton in South West Queensland.

  • Not all roads and tracks shown on commercially-available maps, including GPS maps, actually exist, and those that do may not be open to the public.
  • Do not trespass on private land and leave all gates as you find them.
  • A 4WD is required to access this track.
  • Read 4WD with care for important information on 4WD safety and minimal impact driving.
  • Read safety during extreme weather for important information about what to do during floods, bushfires and cyclones.

From Winton

  • Travel south from Winton on the Jundah (Lark Quarry) Road.
  • After 95km turn right onto Cork Connection Road.
  • Drive 18km and turn left onto Old Cork Mail Road
  • The park boundary is about 170km along this road.
  • The Ranger Base is a further 42km from the boundary.

From Boulia

  • Travel east from Boulia on Kennedy Development Road (Min Min Byway).
  • After 22km turn right onto Springvale Road.
  • The park boundary is about 135km along this road.
  • The Ranger Base is a further 36km from the boundary.

From Windorah

  • Travel north-west from Windorah on Diamantina Development Road.
  • After 151km, turn right onto Davenport Road.
  • The park boundary is about 150km along this road.
  • The Ranger Base is a further 31km from the boundary.

From Bedourie

  • Travel south from Bedourie on Eyre Developmental Road.
  • After 22.5km, turn left onto Diamantina Development Road.
  • Travel 50km and turn left onto Coorabulka Road.
  • After 101km, turn right onto Springvale Road (at the Coorabulka Homestead).
  • Travel 47km and turn right onto Springvale Diamantina Lakes Road.
  • The park boundary is 20km along this road.
  • The Ranger Base is a further 31.5km from the boundary.

Wheelchair access

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Warracoota Ruins walking track is open 24 hours a day.

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

Seasonal closures

The road may be closed during periods of wet weather.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Diamantina safely and Walk with care.