Ravensbourne: National Park Walks, Gus Beutel Lookout and the Scenic Drive

Ravensbourne is a small locality on the Great Dividing Range, about 45 minutes by car north-east of Toowoomba, and its drawcard is Ravensbourne National Park with its rainforest walks, picnic areas and Gus Beutel Lookout over the Lockyer Valley. Around 300 people live here, and most visitors come for a day of walking and a picnic rather than shops or cafes.

The drive in along Esk-Hampton Road is part of the appeal, and council describes it as one of the prettiest scenic drives in southern Queensland. Bring your own food and water, because the village has no attractions beyond the park.

Ravensbourne National Park

Ravensbourne National Park is a day-use park of short walks through rainforest and open eucalypt forest. It preserves small remnants of the rainforest that once covered much of this part of the range, and more than 80 bird species have been recorded there, so it suits birdwatchers as well as walkers.

The park was established in 1922 and covers about 4.4 square kilometres. Red soils on the western side support rainforest with palms, vines and ferns, while sandy soils on the eastern side carry open eucalypt forest, so the scenery changes as you walk.

The walking tracks are graded to Australian Standards, so you can match a walk to your fitness. Our full guide to Ravensbourne National Park covers each track, and the park’s sign at the start of each walk has the current length and grade.

The turn-off into the park is well signed from Esk-Hampton Road. Camping is not allowed in the park.

Gus Beutel Lookout and the picnic areas

Gus Beutel Lookout looks over the Lockyer Valley towards the Border Ranges. A self-guiding walk starts at the picnic area near the lookout.

There are two day-use areas. Cedar Block sits at the top of the range next to the lookout and is a large grassy area. Blackbean is smaller, shaded and cooler in summer. Both have parking, shelter sheds, picnic tables, pit toilets, drinking water and wood barbecues.

Treat the drinking water as untreated: bring your own, or boil or treat the park water before you drink it.

The Esk-Hampton scenic drive

Esk-Hampton Road crosses Ravensbourne from east to west. It follows the line of the old Munro Tramway, which hauled timber from here from the 1900s until 1936. Little of the tramway remains, but the road winds through forest and farmland, and it is a pleasant way to link Toowoomba, Hampton and the Lockyer Valley.

Farming here today includes cattle, avocados and limes.

History in brief

The area was a traditional bush tucker stop for Aboriginal people travelling to and from the Bunya Mountains nut festivals. Logging began in the 1860s and 1870s, and the name comes from a pastoral run owned by a Mr Raven. A village settlement was established in the late 1880s, and the old school site is now a scientific reserve.

Planning your visit

• How long: half a day for a walk and a picnic, a full day if you add other stops on the drive.
• Best time: dry days. The tracks go through rainforest and are better when it is not wet.
• What to bring: food, plenty of water, sturdy shoes, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent.
• Cost: no fees are listed for the day-use areas.
• Accessibility: the Cedar Block Circuit is not suitable for wheelchairs.

Getting there and parking

Ravensbourne is about 133 km west of the Brisbane CBD by road, about two hours by car without traffic, and about 45 km north-east of Toowoomba, about 45 minutes. From Toowoomba, head north to Hampton and take Esk-Hampton Road, then follow the signs to Ravensbourne National Park.

Both picnic areas have parking. No public transport is confirmed to Ravensbourne, so plan to drive. Check the Queensland Parks page and Toowoomba Regional Council’s Ravensbourne page for current conditions before you go.

Nearby

• Lake Perseverance – about 6 km away.
• Cressbrook Dam – about 10 km away.
• Spring Bluff – about 23 km away.
• Ravensbourne National Park – the walks, lookout and picnic areas in detail.
• Spring Bluff – a historic railway village on the range.
• Spring Bluff Railway Station – the famous station gardens.
• Toowoomba Range – lookouts and scenic drives on the range.
• Lake Perseverance – a quiet lake with picnic spots.
• Toowoomba Botanic Gardens – gardens in the city.

Browse more nature walks, national parks and places in Toowoomba.

You might also like

• Picnic Point Toowoomba – lookout and walks on the edge of the city.
• Cooyar (Toowoomba)
• Oxley Creek Common (Rocklea)

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