Bunya Mountains National Park: Walks, Camping, Wallabies and the Drive

The Bunya Mountains are a cool, rainforest-covered range in the Toowoomba region, about three hours from Brisbane, with the biggest remaining stands of bunya pine in the world. Most visitors base themselves at Dandabah for short rainforest walks, waterfalls, lookouts and red-necked wallabies grazing the grassy clearings.

Bunya Mountains National Park was declared in 1908 and is the second-oldest national park in Queensland. The mountains are a place of deep significance to the Wakka Wakka, Jarowair and Barrumgum peoples, who gathered here in large numbers for the bunya feasts when the nuts were ripe. It is a long drive, so most families make it an overnight stay or a full day.

Bunya Mountains walks from Dandabah

The park and the neighbouring Russell Park have walks from 500 m to 10 km. The ones below are the most popular.

Bunya Bunya Track

The easiest option: a 500 m return stroll from the back of the Dandabah camping area over Saddletree Creek to the picnic area. It takes about 10 minutes and is a good first walk for small kids.

Scenic Circuit

The most popular walk is a 4 km circuit taking 1 to 1.5 hours. It passes Festoon Falls, Tim Shea Falls, a giant strangler fig with a walking platform through it, and the Pine Gorge lookout. Look for the large tadpoles of great barred frogs in the ponds and streams.

Barker Creek Circuit

A 10 km circuit of 3 to 4 hours that links Paradise Falls, Little Falls and Big Falls, which is most spectacular after heavy rain. You can start from the Dandabah picnic area or the Paradise Falls car park. A shorter 5.4 km return option to Barker Creek Lookout starts from Paradise.

Cliff-line and summit walks

• Paradise to Westcott (Westcliff track): 3.2 km one way; allow 2 to 3 hours, plus 1.5 km back along the road if you do not leave a car at each end.
• Koondaii Circuit: a 2.5 km walk of about an hour from Westcott.
• Mt Kiangarow Track: 2.3 km, about an hour, to the highest point on the mountain at 1,135 m. It starts across the road from Burtons Well camping ground.
• Russell Park: shorter forest walks such as Carbines Chute (2 km, 45 minutes to 1 hour) and the Fishers Lookout tracks, which are steep and demanding.

Pick up a track map from the national park office or the accommodation office at Dandabah, or download one from the Bunya Mountains walking tracks page. For what to carry, see our guide to hiking in South East Queensland.

Wallabies, birds and other wildlife

Red-necked wallabies graze the grassy hills and camping areas. Crimson rosellas and crimson lorikeets are common around Dandabah, and more than 210 bird species are found in the Bunyas.

At night, spotlighting can turn up sugar gliders, mountain brushtail possums and ringtail possums. King orchids flower in September and October, and fireflies appear in October and November.

Camping at the Bunya Mountains

There are three national park camping areas: Dandabah, Westcott and Burtons Well. Dandabah has the most facilities, including flush toilets, hot showers, barbecues and shelter sheds. All three need a camping permit and a fee applies, so book with Queensland Parks before you go, especially for school holidays and long weekends. Check the rules in our campfire rules guide.

Winter nights are cold on the mountain, so see camping in winter in SEQ and camping with kids for planning. More ideas are on our camping page.

Where to stay and eat at Dandabah

If you would rather have a roof, Dandabah has a village of holiday homes, chalets and motel units, so you can stay in a house with a log fire instead of a tent. Book direct through the Bunya Mountains accommodation office or the other operators on the mountain.

The Bunyas runs a general store with groceries, ice, gas and wood, plus a coffee shop, restaurant and tavern. The general store is open 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Saturday and 9 am to 4 pm on Sunday (check the operator’s page before you go). You can buy camping permits at the general store.

Planning your visit

• How long: A day is enough for the Scenic Circuit plus a short walk; stay a night or two for Barker Creek and the cliff-line walks.
• Best time: The mountain can be visited all year and is about six degrees cooler than the land below, so bring a jumper even in summer. Winter nights can fall below zero.
• Dogs: Pets are not allowed in the national park or any camping area. Assistance animals are welcome with an identifying coat or harness and an approved badge or tag; contact your accommodation before you book.
• Fuel: There is no petrol on the mountain. The nearest is at Kumbia, Maidenwell or Maclagan, so fill up on the way.
• Phone reception: Wi-Fi is available to customers at the Bunya Mountains Tavern; do not count on a phone signal, so download maps first.
• What to bring: Water, a jumper, sturdy shoes, insect repellent and cash or cards for the store.

Getting to the Bunya Mountains and parking

By car, it is about 3 hours 15 minutes from Brisbane CBD and about 1 hour 40 minutes from Toowoomba. Dalby and Kingaroy are each about 50 minutes away. You can approach from the south via Dalby and Kaimkillenbun, or from the east via Kingaroy and Maidenwell. The final climb is steep and narrow, with tight curves on the southern (Moola) side, so allow extra time and plan your route before you leave. If you are towing, check with the park or your accommodation first.

There are car parks and picnic areas at Dandabah, Paradise Falls, Cherry Plain, Westcott camping area, Burtons Well camping ground and the Russell Park picnic area below Mowbullan. There is no regular public transport to the mountain, so plan on driving.

Nearby

• Queens Park, Toowoomba – a Toowoomba park to visit before or after the drive.
• Picnic Point, Toowoomba – a Toowoomba picnic spot.
• Laurel Bank Park – a Toowoomba park for a gentler day.
• Lamington National Park – another rainforest mountain, closer to the Gold Coast.
• Springbrook National Park – waterfalls and lookouts on the Gold Coast hinterland.

Browse more on our national parks and Toowoomba pages, and read the Leave No Trace principles before you walk.

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