Lochern National Park Outback Queensland

Lochern National Park's peaceful Thomson River. Photo credit: John Augusteyn © Queensland Government

About Lochern

    Image of Lochern National Park's peaceful Thomson River.

    Lochern National Park's peaceful Thomson River.

    Photo credit: John Augusteyn © Queensland Government

    Park features

    Lochern has 20km of Thomson River frontage. The park protects 24,300ha of important habitat, with many lagoons and waterholes providing refuge for birds and other wildlife.

    The people of Lochern also adapted to the cycles of wet and dry. First Nations people enjoyed the bounties on offer from seasonal transformations of the land. Pastoralists built dams with long wings and stone-pitched ends to catch extra rainwater and set the hen-house and motor room high and dry.

    Looking after the park

    Everything in Lochern National Park is protected, including plants, animals and heritage sites and artefacts. Please appreciate, respect and help care for Lochern’s outstanding natural and cultural values by leaving things as you find them, and encouraging others to do the same.

    • Leave everything as you find it. Everything, living and dead, is protected including ruins and artefacts.
    • Keep food away from wildlife. Accidental or intentional feeding upsets the balance of nature and can make animals sick and/or aggressive.
    • Manage your waste. Take rubbish with you as no bins are provided. Pack food away immediately after meals and secure rubbish in strong sealed containers to avoid attracting insects and larger animals. Do not bury rubbish. Dingoes or other animals will dig it up.
    • Use toilets where provided. Do not throw rubbish or contents of chemical toilet tanks into pit toilets. Where toilets are not available—bury toilet waste (and paper) at least 15cm deep and 100m away from camp sites, tracks and watercourses.
    • Stop the spread of weeds and pathogens. New introductions can spread and displace resident species and alter the local ecology. Soil from your camping gear and boots can contain weed seeds and foreign plant pathogens. Before you arrive clean all vehicles (especially the tyres and undercarriage), all camping equipment and walking gear. If available, use a washdown facility provided in a local town.
    • Domestic animals are not permitted in the parks. Please observe the before you visit guidelines for dog and pets.

    Please read looking after parks in Central West Queensland.

    Park management

    Each park in Central West Queensland has unique attributes. They are managed to conserve their natural condition and protect their cultural resources and values.

    The national park will be managed in accordance with the Lochern National Park Management Plan (PDF, 311.9KB) .

    Tourism information links

    Longreach Regional Council
    www.longreach.qld.gov.au
    www.experiencelongreach.com.au
    96a Eagle Street, Longreach
    ph (07) 4658 4111
    email assist@longreach.qld.gov.au

    Jundah Visitor Information Centre
    www.visitbarcoo.com.au
    11 Dickson Street, Jundah
    ph (07) 4658 6930
    email jundahinfo@barcoo.qld.gov.au

    Stonehenge Information Centre and Library
    www.visitbarcoo.com.au
    Bulford Street, Stonehenge
    ph (07) 4658 5857
    email stonehengeinfo@barcoo.qld.gov.au

    For information on road conditions see Queensland Traffic.
    Phone 13 19 40 for 24-hour road reports.

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