Visiting Elizabeth Springs Conservation Park safely

Getting there and getting around

Elizabeth Springs Conservation Park can be reached by heading south-east from Boulia. Travel east along the Kennedy Development Road from Boulia for 33km and turn south onto Springvale Road. Drive for 70km until you see a small metal council sign which indicates the park’s entrance.

From here turn right and drive 500m along a dirt track to a fence and entrance gate. Parking is available near the entrance gate to the park, you cannot drive into the park. Please ensure you close the entrance gate as it is critical to keep cattle and pigs out of the springs. There is no vehicle access within Elizabeth Springs Conservation Park.

The access road to Elizabeth Springs rapidly changes condition during the wet season and becomes impassable. For your safety, avoid non-essential use of wet and flooded roads. This road has little use during summer, be self-sufficient and prepared for emergencies.

Check Queensland Traffic or local council offices for current road conditions before your trip.

To help you plan your visit to this remote area, download the Central West Queensland National Parks visitor guide (PDF, 4.9MB) .

Wheelchair accessibility

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities in Elizabeth Springs Conservation Park.

Staying safe

• Keep to designated roads and tracks, and drive with caution as road conditions can change quickly. Watch out for animals, they can appear on roads at any time of day though are generally more active at dusk and dawn.
• Stay with your vehicle if it breaks down. A vehicle is much easier to find than a person.
• Carry drinking water, whether driving or walking. Boil, filter or treat water from streams, rivers or waterholes before drinking.
• Never jump or dive into water. It may be shallow or hide submerged objects.
• Watch your step on escarpments. Edges can be unstable due to natural weathering, so stay away from the edge and take care where you walk.
• Wear protective clothing. Put on a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and wear sturdy footwear, not thongs.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times and be on the lookout for animals and insects that could scratch, sting or bite.

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

In an emergency

In an emergency, phone Triple Zero (000). You could also attempt to contact people via UHF radio. Activate duplex button and attempt to call on all repeater channels 1–9; you may also try channel 40 simplex or scan for other local radio traffic.

We highly recommend you visit the Triple Zero website before visiting a national park or forest. Download the Triple Zero emergency app to help identify your location. Important: if there is no mobile coverage on any network, you will not be able to reach the Emergency Call Service via a mobile phone.

Before you visit

Elizabeth Springs Conservation Park is very isolated—you must be self-sufficient and prepared for emergencies.

Essentials to bring

• Adequate water, food and emergency supplies. Carry at least seven litres of water per person per day and enough emergency food and water for at least seven days in case of stranding.
• First-aid kit. Include sun and insect protection in your kit.
• UHF, satellite phone and/or a personal locator beacon (PLB). Mobile phone coverage is poor or not available in most areas of Elizabeth Springs Conservation Park.
• Extra fuel and vehicle repair kit. Also bring extra spare tyres, oil and engine coolant and vehicle recovery gear.

Opening hours

Elizabeth Springs Conservation Park is open all year however wet weather may cause temporary closures. Check park alerts for information on park conditions, access and closures.

Permits and fees

Various activities in national parks require a permit. Activities include commercial tours, social events, organised group visits, school excursions, scientific research, professional photography and the sale of photographs or vision of the park. Contact us for further information.

Pets

Domestic animals are not permitted in Elizabeth Springs Conservation Park.

Climate and weather

Visiting is recommended from April to September as summer temperatures reach over 40°C during the day, and summer rains often cause flooding. Rain can fall at any time of year and flooding can occur up to two weeks after rain has fallen elsewhere in the catchment, resulting in unexpected creek rises and road closures.

Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Fuel and supplies

The nearest fuel and supplies are at Boulia (103km).