Main Range National Park Brisbane | Southern Queensland Country

Impressive mountain peaks, escarpments and ridges offer breathtaking views. Photo credit: © Janette Asche

Be inspired: A magical history tour of Queensland’s earliest national parks

South-East Queensland is the cradle of Queensland National Parks. So let’s take a tour of 4 of our earliest parks to learn the fascinating stories behind their creation and find out how to best enjoy them today. Photo credit: Nick Hill © Queensland Government

Be inspired: Camping at Main Range is perfect for kids who never stop!

We love them dearly, but high-energy kids are hard work. They’re courageous and inventive, making their own adventures wherever they go (anyone else got one that climbs everything?), and while we admire their creativity, there’s no denying that the task of managing their energy levels is enough to deplete our own. Photo credit: © J Asche

Be inspired: Favourite hikes for groups of ‘besties and buddies’ around Brisbane

When it comes to bushwalking with your ‘besties’ (friends or family), in Queensland National Parks near Brisbane, you’re truly spoilt for choice! Photo credit: © Queensland Government

Be inspired: Short walks for the family around south east Queensland

Walking in Queensland National Parks is a fun way to be healthier and happier, and to share special times with family and friends. Photo credit: Ellie Jamieson © Queensland Government

About Main Range

    Park features

    Rugged mountain ranges, spectacular lookouts and rare wildlife feature in this prestigious Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area park. Main Range National Park covers 30,170.5 ha. A mosaic of vegetation types occurs in the park. Rainforests grow in moist or sheltered locations, with open eucalypt forest occurring on the drier ridges and valleys. Montane heath vegetation grows on the cliffs and rocky outcrops.

    These diverse habitats shelter much wildlife, including the seldom seen Albert's lyrebird, the endangered eastern bristlebird and the vulnerable black-breasted button-quail. Populations of these birds and other wildlife have been threatened by land clearing and inappropriate fire regimes in South East Queensland.

    A restricted plant species, the giant spear lily Doryanthes palmeri, also occurs in the park. Careful management is essential for the continued survival of the park's habitats and the wildlife that lives in them.

    Looking after the park

    You can help protect the park and forest by observing these guidelines:

    • Please leave all plants and animals undisturbed.
    • Please do not feed the wildlife. Feeding native animals may cause poor health and sometimes death.
    • Goomburra is a special area for frogs; your cooperation is required to protect them—be frog friendly.
    • Use toilets if available. Away from toilets, ensure all human waste and toilet paper are properly buried (15cm deep) well away from tracks, camp sites, watercourses and drainage channels (100m). Carry out disposable nappies and sanitary products.
    • When bathing or washing cooking equipment or clothes, always wash at least 100m from streams and lakes. Waterways should be kept free of all pollutants including soap, detergents, shampoo, sunscreens and food scraps.
    • Take your rubbish home. Minimal impact bushwalkers take great care to avoid leaving any rubbish. Remember—pack it in, pack it out.
    • Be self-sufficient—use a fuel stove.
    • Keep to the walking tracks where provided and take care near cliff edges.
    • Remember: the use of generators is prohibited in camping areas.

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

    Park management

    Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) manage Main Range National Park under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 to preserve and present its remarkable natural and cultural values in perpetuity.

    Main Range National Park's outstanding geological history, evolutionary significance and role in nature conservation are recognised through its inclusion in the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. Management is in accordance with internationally-recognised obligations under the World Heritage Convention.

    Tourism information links

    Boonah Visitor Information Centre
    www.visitscenicrim.com.au
    Boonah-Fassifern Road, Boonah Qld 4310
    ph (07) 5463 2233
    fax (07) 5463 2135
    email vic@scenicrim.qld.gov.au

    Warwick Visitor Information Centre
    southerndownsandgranitebelt.com.au
    Town Hall, 72 Palmerin St, Warwick Qld 4370
    ph 1800 060 877
    fax (07) 4661 3122
    email visitor@sdrc.qld.gov.au

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