About Lochern

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.

• Read more about the nature, culture and history of the parks of Central West Queensland.

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.