About Homevale

Park features

Cliffs, peaks and spires are prominent here. Thirty million years ago a series of eruptions covered older basalt rocks with lava, creating hard granite formations. Over time, basalt eroded away more easily leaving the spectacular Diamond Cliffs, Marling Spikes and Sydney Heads you see today.

Forming along the Bowen Basin, these volcanoes also produced gold deposits and fertile basalt soils now supporting diverse plant life. Plant communities growing in Homevale include open grassy woodlands, notophyll vine forests, dry softwood scrub, open eucalypt forests and brigalow-belah communities.

Important fossil localities are also present with fossils dating from the Permian period (280-225 million years ago).

Looking after the park

Parks and forests protect Queensland's wonderful natural diversity and scenery. Please help keep these places special during your stay.

• Be pest and weed free! Clean all walking and camping gear and vehicles before arriving at the park. Dirt on tyres, walking boots, tents, tent pegs and other items can carry harmful diseases—a major threat to plants and animals. Check gear and clothing (including pockets and Velcro) for seeds, parts of plants, eggs, insects, spiders, lizards, mice and rats that could be brought with you when you visit.
• Stay on designated walking tracks and roads. Taking shortcuts causes erosion and damages vegetation.
• Leave your pets at home—you will protect your pet and native wildlife, and come across more animals on your walk.
• Never feed or leave food for animals—you might be bitten or scratched. Let animals find their own food. Our foods can be harmful to native animals.
• Pack strong rubbish bags for storing rubbish during your journey. Take all rubbish home with you. Carry a small container for cigarette butts.
• Always use a fuel stove to reduce fire danger.
• Carry a trowel and toilet paper to use where there are no facilities. Bury toilet waste at least 15 cm below the ground and 100 m from water. Clip-seal bags are handy for carrying sanitary items to dispose of after your walk.

See the guidelines on caring for parks and forests for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

Park management

Homevale National Park was first gazetted in 1995. It is managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 to preserve and present its natural and cultural values for all time. A management plan for this park will be prepared in the future.

• Mackay Highlands Management Statement (PDF, 980.2KB) .

Tourism information links

For information about activities, tours and accommodation in this region, visit: www.mackayregion.com

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