Main Range National Park Brisbane | Southern Queensland Country

The picnic area is an open, grassy area set beside the banks of West Gap Creek. Photo credit: © Jennifer Bartlett

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

West Gap Creek picnic area

Birdwatchers will enjoy this open and grassy picnic area in fragrant eucalypt forest beside West Gap Creek.

Accessible by

  • Conventional vehicle

Attraction facilities

  • Toilets (non-flush)
  • Picnic tables (some sheltered)
  • Wheelchair access (may require assistance)

Stop for a cuppa or picnic at one of the picnic tables, or settle in on a rug under the trees. Listen to the gentle chime of bell miners, and see if you can spot satin bowerbirds, currawongs and kookaburras. If you’re quiet you may even see a crafty goanna waddling through the area.

Read the signs and then head off for a stroll along West Gap Creek. This lovely waterway is the favoured breeding ground of endangered Fleay’s barred frogs.

Step back in time along the Box Forest track as you wander through Gondwanan subtropical rainforest and giant brush box trees along the creek.

This park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, famed for its ongoing geological processes, evolutionary history, and diversity (especially of rare, threatened and endemic species).

Getting there and getting around

The West Gap Creek picnic area is in the Cunninghams Gap section of Main Range National Park, about 120km south-west of Brisbane.

  • The picnic area is on the Cunningham Highway, 1.3km from the western park entrance, and 3.1km from the eastern park entrance.

Getting to the Cunninghams Gap section

  • From Brisbane drive 116km south-west on the Cunningham Highway.
  • From Warwick drive 50km east on the Cunningham Highway to Cunninghams Gap.

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland, see Queensland.com, and for friendly advice on how to get there, where to stay and what to do, find your closest accredited visitor information centre.

Wheelchair access

The toilets are wheelchair accessible.

Before you visit

Opening hours

West Gap Creek picnic area is open 24 hours a day

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Main Range safely.