Visiting Herberton Range safely
Getting there and getting around
Maps
- Tablelands parks and forests (north) map
- Tablelands parks and forests (south) map
- Herberton Range National Park, Herberton Range Conservation Park, Herberton Range State Forest and Baldy Mountain Forest Reserve map
- Shared trails map, Herberton Range Conservation Park
- Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park map
- Atherton Rifle Range map
- Baldy-Yabi circuit walk
Herberton Range Conservation Park
From Herberton travel south on Longlands Gap Road for 3.2km. Turn left into Rolley Road and follow it 2.4km to E Hill Road. Turn right into E Hill Road and travel 3.3km to the park. From Atherton travel south on the Kennedy Highway for 14.1km. Turn right into Plath Road and follow it 3.8km to the park.
Baldy Mountain Forest Reserve
To access the Baldy-Yabi circuit walk , from Atherton travel 1.6km south on the Atherton Herberton Road. Turn right into Rifle Range Road. There are two options for the start of the walk. The first carpark is 250m along Rifle Range Road and is closest to Yabi Mountain. The second carpark is 590m along Rifle Range Road and is closest to Mount Baldy.
Herberton Range Ridge Road and Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park
Access the Herberton Range Ridge Road from the southern or northern entrances.
For the northern entrance, drive 1.6km south on the Atherton Herberton Road. Turn right into Rifle Range Road and travel 1.8km (going past the rifle range) to the trail head sign at the start of the Herberton Range ridge road. The trails in the Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park also start from here.
The southern entrance is 12km south of Atherton on the Atherton Herberton Road. After descending from the range, turn right onto the dirt road before the railway crossing and travel the short distance to the trail head sign at the start of the Herberton Range Ridge Road. Please leave gates as you find them.
Herberton Range National Park
The unmarked fire trails in the north-west section of Herberton Range National Park can be accessed from the Atherton Herberton Road or Wongabel Road. The trails are very steep and rocky and should only be accessed by experienced drivers in suitable off-road vehicles.
Internal roads
These parks, forest and reserve have a network of internal roads and firebreaks, available to four-wheel-drive vehicles only. The roads are unsealed, often narrow and can have sharp bends and rough surfaces. Take care when driving and be aware of pedestrians, motorbikes, bicycles, horses and other vehicles. Not all trails and roads are shown on the maps and intersections may or may not be signposted.
Wheelchair accessibility
There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities in Herberton Range National Park, Herberton Range Conservation Park, Herberton Range State Forest or Baldy Mountain Forest Reserve.
Staying safe
- Mobile phone coverage is not reliable.
- Tell friends or family where you are going and when you expect to return.
- Treat all water before drinking.
- Always carry water, wear a hat and sturdy footwear, and try to walk in the cooler part of the day.
- Stay on tracks, trails and roads and take care on uneven surfaces, especially in wet conditions.
- Expect to share roads with pedestrians, trail-bikes, mountain bikes, horses and vehicles.
- Watch out for washouts, scoured road shoulders and loose surfaces. Be especially careful in wet weather when some roads and creek crossings may become impassable.
- Look for wildlife, especially in the early morning and late afternoon.
Ride safely
- Wear appropriate safety gear and be realistic about your cycling abilities.
- Be aware of road crossings and give way to vehicles.
- Slow down when approaching other track users. Alert others when approaching. To safely alert horses, slow right down and talk. Hearing a human voice helps a horse stay calm when a bike appears suddenly.
- Maintain at least 50m between riders
- Avoid skidding and sliding—this may result in collision with other trail users and damage to the trail surface.
- Sylvia Creek can rise rapidly in heavy rain. Beware of swift flowing water.
- Service roads in the Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park allow for injured riders and damaged bikes to be retrieved from the network. Make note of the location of the roads on the map , and as you ride the trails.
For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.
Before you visit
Myrtle rust
Myrtle rust—a fungal disease affecting many native plants—has been found in Herberton Range State Forest. The disease poses a significant threat to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Be aware of what myrtle rust looks like before visiting the park and avoid contact with infected trees.
Essentials to bring
To enjoy your time in these parks and reserves remember to bring:
- drinking water
- sunscreen, a hat and a long-sleeved shirt
- appropriate safety gear for riding
Opening hours
The Herberton Range’s parks, reserve and forest are open 24 hours a day. Parts of the park are occasionally closed during the wet season and for planned burns or wildfires. See park alerts for up-to-date information.
Permits and fees
Bush camping is permitted in parts of Baldy Mountain Forest Reserve only. Camping permits are required and fees apply. A 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 and some organised group activities.
Pets
Dogs are permitted on the Baldy-Yabi walking circuit and other State forest and forest reserve sections, but must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed to stay overnight. Camping with dogs is not permitted. Dogs on a leash are permitted in Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park on the green (easy) mountain bike trails only. Please follow the signs .
In the other parts of the Herberton Range, all domestic animals are prohibited.
Climate and weather
The lower humidity and daytime temperatures of the tablelands are a pleasant escape from the coastal extremes. Maximum summer temperatures are around 29°C while winter temperatures can fall below 10°C at night, when frosts are not uncommon. Most of the rain falls during the wet season, between December and April. For more information, see the tourism information links.
Fuel and supplies
Fuel and supplies are available from Atherton, Herberton and other tablelands towns. For more information, see the tourism information links.
- There are currently no park alerts for this park.