Kuranda National Park and Mowbray National Park Tropical North Queensland

Licuala palms, misty rainforested hills and the imposing Black Mountain are features of these parks. Photo credit: Tourism Queensland and Queensland Government

About Kuranda and Mowbray

    Park features

    Kuranda National Park and adjacent Mowbray National Park are entirely within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. They feature both rainforest and open eucalypt forest and protect an important wildlife corridor between centres of biodiversity in the Daintree/Carbine Tableland area to the north and Lamb Range/Atherton Tableland area to the south.

    The pyramid-shaped Black Mountain is a prominent feature of Mowbray National Park. Black Mountain Road runs through both Kuranda and Mowbray national parks, as well as State forest and private land, and offers a rough and scenic alternative south-north route to the Cook Highway, suitable for four-wheel-drive vehicles only. The road passes through native forest, pine plantations and farmland and crosses picturesque Flaggy Creek and its tributary, Sandy Creek.

    The historic Bump Track, blazed in 1877, offers views of the Mowbray River valley where the Mowbray River drops through a gorge carved into the forested foothills of the Macalister Range.

    • Read more about the history of Kuranda Mowbray National Parks.

    Looking after the park

    As part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, Mowbray and Kuranda national parks provide habitat for many rare and threatened species. Please minimise your impact on this special place.

    • Take your rubbish with you when you leave.
    • Always stay on marked tracks, as taking short cuts leads to erosion and adjacent areas may be unstable.
    • Avoid the spread of weeds—check your clothing and shoes regularly for seeds.
    • Do not interfere with or feed native animals.
    • Domestic animals are not permitted in national parks. (Horses are excepted on the Bump Track with written authorisation).
    • Everything in the park, living or dead, is protected. Please leave everything as you found it.

    See caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

    Myrtle rust

    Myrtle rust—a fungal disease affecting many native plants—has been found in Kuranda National Park. The disease poses a significant threat to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Follow these guidelines to help prevent its spread:

    * Do not collect or move plant material, living or dead.
    * Stay on roads or vehicle tracks when driving or mountain biking to reduce contact between vehicles and plants.
    * Avoid contact with infected plants as this may spread spores.
    * Go clean—clean your vehicle, bicycle, clothes and footwear when you leave the park or as soon as you arrive home. Remove soil, leaves and mud and clean with water and detergent.

    Learn more about myrtle rust and how to minimise its spread.

    Park management

    Mowbray and Kuranda national parks are part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. It is managed for the purposes of nature conservation and nature-based recreation.

    Tourism information links

    Kuranda Visitor Information Centre
    Tropical North Queensland - Kuranda
    Coondoo Street, Kuranda QLD 4881
    ph (07) 4093 9311
    email kurandavic@msc.qld.gov.au

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