Visiting Goodedulla National Park safely

Getting there and getting around

Goodedulla National Park is accessible by high clearance four-wheel drive only. Turn off the Capricorn Highway at Gogango. From Gogango follow the Riverslea Road for 18km, just past the Fitzroy River. Turn left onto Rookwood Road and travel 31km north to the park boundary. The last 10km is very rough, unsealed and passes through private property. It can take more than 45 minutes to traverse the final 10km! Leave all gates as you find them.

Take care as the park’s road networks can be confusing—download the Goodedulla National Park map (PDF, 309.0KB) to help with navigation, track intersections are numbered on the map. You must be self-sufficient. Heavy rain can flood the seasonal creeks, potentially stranding visitors, so be well prepared.

Contact the Department of Transport and Main Roads to find out about road conditions and the Bureau of Meteorology for weather reports and forecasts.

Staying safe

Drive with care

• Watch for wildlife and cattle on roads.
• After heavy rain unsealed roads may become impassable.
• Stay with your vehicle if it breaks down. A vehicle is much easier to find than a person.

Walk with care

• There are no formal walking tracks provided in Goodedulla National Park.
• Never walk alone. Tell family or friends where you are going and when you expect to return.
• Carry a first-aid kit, drinking water and navigation equipment. When walking, carry extra supplies in case your walk takes longer than expected.
• Do not rely on your mobile phone, coverage is unreliable particularly in low-lying areas. Carry at least one form of communication equipment. Satellite phones and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) are the most effective in this area.
• Pack appropriate clothing. Wear a shirt, hat and sunscreen during the day. Bring sturdy footwear and insect repellent.
• Be prepared to encounter wildlife. Snakes, spiders and stinging insects are common so know how to respond, be wildlife aware.
• Beware of lightning and falling branches during severe storms and strong winds.

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

In an emergency

For all emergencies call Triple Zero (000).

We recommend you visit the Triple Zero website before visiting the national park. You can also download the free emergency+ app before you leave home, the GPS functionality can provide critical location details to emergency services. 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

Essentials to bring

Goodedulla National Park is very remote and you need to be self-sufficient.

Make sure you bring:

• a first-aid kit and reliable communications
• sufficient fuel
• drinking water (enough for your visit), as untreated creek water is not suitable for drinking
• vehicle recovery gear
• a sealable container to take your rubbish home as bins are not provided
• insect repellent, hat and sunscreen
• a fuel stove and fuel.

Opening hours

This park is open 24 hours a day, all year round. The park may be closed at times due to extreme weather or management operations, check park alerts for the latest information on national park access, closures and conditions.

Permits and fees

Camping permits are required and fees apply. A camping tag with your booking number must be displayed at your camp site.

• Book your camp site online.
• If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.
• Special permits are required for commercial, organised events and scientific research. Visit Permits and fees for further information.

Pets

Domestic animals are not permitted in Goodedulla National Park.

Climate and weather

The area has a tropical climate, with an average summer temperature of about 32ºC. However summer daytime temperatures can exceed 40ºC. Winters are mild and often dry, with an average temperature of about 20ºC. Total annual rainfall averages 700mm with most rain falling during the summer months.

Contact the Bureau of Meteorology for weather reports and forecasts.

Fuel and supplies

The nearest fuel and supplies are located at Westwood or Duaringa.