Main Range National Park Brisbane | Southern Queensland Country

Settle back into the peace and quiet . Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw

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

Spicers Gap camping area

Set up your Main Range home-away-from-home at the eastern gateway to historical Spicers Gap.

Accessible by

  • Conventional vehicle

Camping area facilities

  • Toilets (non-flush)
  • Wheelchair access (may require assistance)
  • Tent camping
  • Camper trailer camping
  • Motor home camping
  • Tent camping beside car
  • Walking

Choose the spot that ticks all your camping boxes in this open area dotted with eucalypts and sheoaks. Settle back in your camp chair with a cuppa and see if you can spot a snoozing koala in the trees around the camp.

Once the sun has set, grab a torch and spotlight for owls, bats, koalas, wallabies, bandicoots, possums and gliders, and then drift off to sleep to the sound of southern boobook owls gently calling through the cooling night air.

After a peaceful night, spend the day exploring the nearby walks in this historical-rich part of the park.

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 Spicers Gap camping area is in the Spicers Gap section of Main Range National Park, about 120km south-west of Brisbane.

  • The camping area is on Spicers Gap Road, 700m from the park entrance, and can only be accessed by motor vehicles via the eastern approach to Spicers Gap.

Getting to the Spicers Gap section

Eastern approach

  • The eastern approach to Spicers Gap is suitable for conventional vehicles.
  • From Brisbane, drive about 95km south-west on the Cunningham Highway.
  • About 5km west of Aratula turn onto Lake Moogerah Road, drive 6km then turn onto Spicers Gap Road and a further 6km to the park entrance.

Western approach

  • The western approach towards Spicers Gap is suitable only for high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles and should be avoided in wet weather.
  • From Warwick drive 44.5km east on the Cunningham Highway or, from Cunninghams Gap drive 4.5km west on the Cunningham Highway.
  • Turn south onto Spicers Gap Road and drive about 4km to the park entrance.
  • Leave gates as you find them and stay on Spicers Gap Road at all times.

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.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Spicers Gap camping area is open 24 hours a day. Check-in to your camp after 2pm and check-out by 11am on the day of departure.

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

Spicers Gap camping area.

Spicers Gap camping area.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

Camping area features: Small, grassy area set in a clearing on the eastern side of Spicers Gap. Short walking tracks and walking trails can be found here.
Location: Eastern side of the Main Range and to the south of Cunninghams Gap.
Access: 2WD conventional vehicle (during dry weather only) and 4WD. Access is via Spicers Gap Road, which leaves the Cunningham Highway 5 km west of Aratula. Unsuitable for buses, caravans or large campervans.
Number of sites: Open area without separately-defined sites. Maximum of 50 people.
Camp sites are suitable for: walk-in camping.
Camp site surface: Grass.
Facilities: Composting toilets and tap-water.
Open fires: Prohibited. Fuel stoves are recommended. Elevated barbecues and braziers that use heat beads are permitted provided the ground underneath them is protected.
Generator use: Not allowed.
Essentials to bring: Drinking water, rubbish bags, insect repellent and fuel or gas stove. Read more about before you visit.

Bookings: book online or learn about our camping booking options. Advance bookings required for holiday periods including long weekends and public holidays.
Mobile phone coverage: Poor.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Main Range safely and camp with care.