Things to do

Camping and accommodation

Camping is not allowed at Ravensbourne National Park.

Visitors can stay overnight at nearby Crows Nest National Park, at Cressbrook Dam or in holiday accommodation in and around Ravensbourne, Hampton, Crows Nest, Toowoomba or Esk.

See the tourism information links or consult the local telephone directory or the internet for accommodation options.

• Ravensbourne National Park map (PDF, 173.3KB)

Experience panoramic views over the range towards Brisbane, the Scenic Rim and the Lockyer Valley from the Gus Beutel lookout near the Cedar Block day-use area.

Enjoy a bush picnic, walk in the rainforest or go birdwatching.

Walking

This day-use park has short walks through rainforest, longer walks to palm-filled creeks and eucalypt forest, as well as an amazing array of native birdlife.

Track classification

Ravensbourne National Park's walking tracks have been classified to Australian Standards to help you select a walk that matches your bushwalking experience and fitness.

Grade 3 track

• Gently sloping, well-defined track with slight inclines or few steps.
• Caution needed on decomposed granite and exposed natural lookouts.
• Reasonable level of fitness and ankle-supporting footwear required.

Grade 4 track

• Distinct track usually with steep exposed granite inclines or many steps.
• Caution needed on decomposed granite and exposed natural lookouts.
• Moderate level of fitness and ankle-supporting footwear required.

Cedar Block circuit—500m circuit (allow 15 minutes)

This short self-guided walk starts at the bottom of the Cedar Block day-use area. Wayside signs interpret the rainforest and how it was used by Aboriginal travellers and timber-getters.

Rainforest circuit—1.7km return (allow 40 minutes)

Large Sydney blue gums Eucalyptus saligna emerge through the rainforest canopy. In the understorey, there are many attractive ground ferns, epiphytic ferns and vines. Along the higher section of this walking track the remains of an Aboriginal yam-digging site can be seen.

Palm Creek circuit—3.6km return (allow 1 hour 15 minutes)

This track leaves the rainforest circuit and crosses Palm Creek—named after the piccabeen palms Archontophoenix cunninghamiana covering its steep banks. Look in the canopy for epiphytes growing on taller trees and birds feasting on palm tree fruits.

A short side track leads along a eucalypt forest ridge to a small sandstone overhang.

Buaraba Creek—6.2km return (allow 2 hours)

This pleasant walk starts in the rainforest, passes through eucalypt forest, and ends with a short descent into the cool and shady Buaraba Creek. Return along the same track. Please take drinking water.

Picnic and day-use areas

Enjoy a picnic in one of two day-use areas. Both have shelter sheds, picnic tables, pit toilets, water and wood barbecues. Blackbean day-use area at the entrance to the park is small, shaded and cool in summer.

Cedar Block day-use area is at the top of the range adjacent to Gus Beutel lookout. It is a large, open, gently-sloped grassy area suitable for large groups.

Bring your own drinking water, or boil or treat the water supplied on the park before drinking. Firewood is not provided, so bring your own clean, milled wood or a fuel stove—do not collect wood from the national park. No bins are provided, take rubbish away for appropriate disposal when you leave.

Viewing wildlife

Take home memories of fleeting rainforest birds, scurrying lizards and frogs calling from the creek.

At least 110 species of birds visit or live in this park including the black-breasted button-quail (which is threatened with extinction), fruit doves and 6 species of owls. Visitors might see satin bowerbirds, pigeons or red-backed fairy-wrens.

See nature, culture and history for more details about Ravensbourne National Park's diverse wildlife.