Main Range National Park Brisbane | Southern Queensland Country

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

Visiting Main Range safely

    Image of the Queen Mary Falls.

    Queen Mary Falls.

    Photo credit: Michael O'Connor © Queensland Government

    Getting there and getting around

    Cunninghams Gap and Spicers Gap

    Main Range National Park is 116km south-west of Brisbane and 50km east of Warwick. The Cunningham Highway crosses the park at Cunninghams Gap and provides access to the northern part of the park, which includes visitor facilities and walks at Cunninghams Gap and Goomburra.

    The eastern approach to Spicers Gap is suitable for conventional vehicles and is reached via Lake Moogerah Road, which leaves the Cunningham Highway 5km west of Aratula, then Spicers Gap Road. Spicers Gap Road ends at Governors Chair car park.

    Spicers Gap Road does not provide vehicle access across the range.

    Queen Mary Falls

    Queen Mary Falls is located at the south-west end of the park, 11km east of Killarney via Spring Creek Road, 64km south-west of Boonah via Carneys Creek Road then Head Road, or 99km via Carneys Creek Road then White Swamp Road, if Head Road is closed.

    The approach from Boonah is very steep and should be travelled with care. It is unsuitable for caravans.

    Queen Mary Falls can be approached from the west of the range via Yangan or Warwick, then through Killarney to Spring Creek Road.

    Goomburra

    Located about 175km south-west of Brisbane, Goomburra can be reached from both the New England and Cunningham highways. From the New England Highway turn off the highway 3km south of Allora onto Inverramsay Road. Follow Inverramsay Road, then Forestry Reserve Road east about 35km to the park boundary.

    From the Cunningham Highway turn off at Gladfield 25km west of Cunninghams Gap or 13km east of the Cunningham and New England highway junction, turn north and travel 8km to join Inverramsay Road. Follow Inverramsay Road, then Forestry Reserve Road to the park boundary.

    The last 6km of road to the park is unsealed and may be impassable due to flooding heavy rain. Check road conditions with RACQ before you visit. The road to the lookouts will be closed after heavy rain.

    Wheelchair accessibility

    Wheelchair accessible toilets are located at the Manna Gum camping area in Goomburra.

    Image of a group of friends going for a walk.

    Walk with one or more friends.

    Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government

    Image of a leech. If undetected a leech will become engorged and eventually drop off.

    If undetected a leech will become engorged and eventually drop off.

    Photo credit: Kim Morris © Queensland Government

    Staying safe

    Main Range National Park is a wild place with hidden dangers for the unwary visitor. It is vital to pay close attention to signs that warn of local dangers. Follow these tips and use common sense to stay safe in the park.

    Walking

    To enjoy a safe visit to this area, please:

    • Be prepared, even on short walks, and judge your ability and conditions carefully before setting out. Do not expect to be warned of every possible danger.
    • If walking at night, please exercise caution and ensure you have sufficient lighting.
    • Choose walks that suit the capabilities of your entire group.
    • Stay together and keep to designated walking tracks. Lookouts are a major feature of many of the walks. Many are part of a natural feature, often located on a cliff edge or ridge. Edges can be deceptive and are often closer than you think. Be aware; not all lookouts have handrails. Please keep away from the edge and supervise children at all times. Take extra care when using binoculars or cameras at these sites.
    • Wear a hat, sunscreen, comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes with good grip.
    • Take a basic first-aid kit.
    • Always carry drinking water.

    Wildlife

    • Check yourself and children daily for ticks, often found in body creases. Read more about how to safely remove ticks.
    • Leeches are common in wetter areas. Insect repellent on your socks helps keep them away. Remove them by pushing with your fingernail where they have attached. Some bleeding after removal is normal due to the anticoagulant in the leech bite, but there are usually no ill effects apart from an itchy bite-mark.
    • The giant stinging trees Dendrocnide excelsa, is recognisable by its very large, round leaves that are covered in fine hairs. It can deliver an extremely painful sting—do not touch their leaves, including dead ones on the ground.
    • Venomous snakes live in the park, so watch for snakes on the path and wait for them to move away. Never pick up, disturb or try to kill a snake. Carry elastic bandages in case of snakebite, and know the correct first-aid procedure.

    Car theft

    Thefts have occurred in this area. Car crime is a problem even here. Help us to stop this problem.

    • Remove all valuables—this includes garage remotes.
    • Lock your car.
    • Remove your keys.

    In an emergency

    In case of accident or other emergency please:

    • Call Triple Zero (000).
    • Advise the nature and location of the emergency.
    • Stay on the phone until you are told to hang up.

    The nearest hospitals are located at Warwick and Boonah. Mobile phone coverage is not reliable in Main Range National Park, but may be possible in areas with high elevation.

    For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.

    Image of a zip-lock bag containing rubbish. These are ideal for carrying rubbish when walking in the park.

    A zip-lock bag is ideal for carrying rubbish when walking in the park.

    Photo credit: Adam Creed © Queensland Government

    Image of a camper using a fuel stove.

    Use a fuel stove.

    Photo credit: Adam Creed © Queensland Government

    Before you visit

    Essentials to bring

    • Take warm clothing and raincoats, as rapid changes in temperature and weather are common.
    • Wear a hat and apply sunscreen to prevent sunburn.
    • Rubbish bins are not provided. Please bring rubbish bags and take all recyclables and rubbish with you when you leave.
    • Bring drinking water, a fuel stove to boil water for drinking and/or chemical tablets to treat water.
    • Fuel or gas stoves are recommended for cooking, but if you do wish to use the barbecues provided please bring your own wood or purchase it locally. Never collect wood from the park or roadside. Take care with fire - keep your fire below the grate and make sure it is out before you leave it, especially during hot or windy conditions. Elevated barbecues and braziers that use heat beads are permitted provided the ground beneath them is protected.
    • Bring your camera and binoculars for viewing wildlife. A torch, preferably with a red filter to protect animals' eyes, is useful for spotlighting at night.

    Opening hours

    Main Range National Park is open 24 hours a day. For your safety, walk in daylight hours only.

    Permits and fees

    All camping areas in Main Range National Park require a permit and fees apply. Try to book in advance for public holidays. If you wish to extend your stay, you must re-book. A camp site tag with your booking number must be displayed at your camp site. Remember: camp sites must be booked before camping overnight—fines apply for camping without a permit.

    All remote area bush camp sites must be booked online and fees apply.

    • Find out more about camping in Main Range National Park.
    • Book your camp site online.
    • If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.

    To reduce the impact of large groups on other visitors and the environment, organised event permits are required for large groups visiting in day-use and camping areas, on walking tracks and in remote sections of the park. Find out more about organised event permits.

    Pets

    Domestic animals are not permitted in Main Range National Park.

    Climate and weather

    Main Range can experience rapid changes in temperature and weather. Winters are usually dry and cold with frosty nights, temperatures dropping to an average minimum of 5°C. Summers are warm to very hot, especially on the exposed ridges, reaching to 35°C, with cooler nights that average 10 to 18°C. Watch out for late spring and summer thunderstorms that bring lightning and unseasonably cold weather. Most rain falls between November and March. Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology.

    For more information see the tourism information links.

    Fuel and supplies

    The closest fuel and supplies are available from Cunninghams Gap, 3km west of The Crest car park, Aratula, 21km east from Cunninghams Gap (18km from Spicers Gap) or Allora, which is 38km west of Goomburra. At Goomburra a small general store, located 6km west of the Main Range camping area, operates on weekends and holidays, while at Queen Mary Falls supplies are available opposite the park's picnic grounds, with fuel available in Killarney. For more information see the tourism information links.

    Frequently asked questions

    For more information, please read the frequently asked questions.