Things to do

The park is a refuge for many animals including species like this spotted python. Photo: Queensland Government

Northern velvet geckoes are one of the 51 reptile species found in the park. Photo: Eleanor Collins, Queensland Government

Camping and accommodation

Canns Camp Creek camping area is the only camping facility in the park and has limited facilities. When dry, the camping area is accessible to all vehicle types with care. During the wet season, between November and April, the road may be boggy and inaccessible.

Camping permits are required and fees apply.

• Find out more about camping in White Mountains National Park.
• Book your campsite online.
• If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.

Other accommodation

Other accommodation facilities, including hotels, camping and caravan parks, can be found at Pentland, Torrens Creek, Hughenden and Charters Towers. For more information see the tourism information links.

Mountain biking

Map

• White Mountains National Park map (PDF, 97.7KB)

Mountain bike along the access road from the Flinders Highway to Sawpit Gorge lookout, or to Poison Valley. Expect to share the roads with pedestrians, trail-bikes, vehicles and other cyclists. Mountain biking is not permitted on any of the management roads, firebreaks or adjacent private property

Access to the park may be closed during the wet season. See park alerts for up-to-date information.

For more information, see cycling.

Trail-bike riding and four-wheel driving

Map

• White Mountains National Park map (PDF, 97.7KB)

Ride trail-bikes and drive four-wheel-drives along the access road from the Flinders Highway to the Sawpit Gorge lookout, or to Poison Valley. Riders and drivers must be licensed and trail-bikes and vehicles must be fully registered.

Sawpit Gorge lookout

Distance: 8 km return from park entrance

Time: allow 15 mins driving time

Details: The road to the lookout travels through sandstone heath and large deposits of lateritic stone litter the landscape. The drive can be particularly picturesque during the flowering period—from May to September. Sawpit Gorge is the headwaters of the Warrigal Creek system, flowing into the Cape and then Burdekin rivers.

Poison Valley

Distance: 28 km return from park entrance

Time: allow 1 hr driving time

Details: This road travels through open eucalyptus woodland, acacia scrub and heath and is surrounded by the rugged hills that form part of the Torrens Creek catchment. The valley takes its name from the heart-leaf poison bush Gastrolboum grandiflora that is common in the area. This plant contains the poison mono sodium fluroacetate, more commonly known as 1080. The road ends above the banks of Torrens Creek, the most northerly stream running into Lake Eyre.

Heed all park signs and expect to share the roads with pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles. Riding and driving are not permitted on adjacent private property.

Access to the park may be closed during the wet season. See park alerts for up-to-date information.

For more information, see trail-bike riding and four-wheel driving.

Picnic and day-use areas

Stop for a picnic at the Burra Range lookout on the Flinders Highway, where it crosses the Great Dividing Range. The views are typical of the park—steep gorges, lancewood forests and white sandstone shelves and peaks. Sheltered picnic tables and bins are provided by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Viewing wildlife

White Mountains National Park is one of Queensland’s most botanically diverse parks, encompassing 14 regional ecosystems including two classed as endangered. Approximately 430 plant species contained in 10 vegetation communities have been identified on the park. Eucalypt, acacia and melaleuca woodlands, and a mass of heathland species dominate the vegetation.

About 30 plant species, normally affiliated to southern Queensland, have also been recorded in the park. White Mountains National Park is the northern extremity of their range.

The park is a haven for a variety of wildlife, especially reptiles, which are well suited to the rocky landscape. Fifty-one species of reptiles have been recorded in the park. Some may be seen sunning themselves on rocks or branches, relying on the sun’s heat to warm their bodies. The rocky outcrops and spinifex grasslands provide perfect homes for frilled lizards Chlamydosaurus kingi, and spiny knob-tailed geckos Nephrurus asper.

See the description of the park's natural environment for more details about White Mountains' diverse wildlife.