National Parks

The Capricorn region is home to many spectacular National Parks and State forests, with good access and a diverse variety of experiences.

The region is also host to some ecologically sensitive and unique wetlands, breeding areas and marine protection zones that are significant because of the extent and richness of their diversity.

Blackdown Tabeland National Park

Rising abruptly above the surrounding dry plains, Blackdown Tableland protects spectacular sandstone scenery with gorges and waterfalls at the north-eastern edge of the Central Queensland sandstone belt.

Byfield State Forest

Picturesque recreation areas surrounded by rainforest-edged creeks, rugged mountains, pine plantations and ancient cycads are highlights of a visit to Byfield State Forest.

Byfield National Park

Outstanding coastal scenery, massive sand dunes, rugged granite pinnacles and remote coastal camping opportunities are highlights of a visit to Byfield National Park and Conservation Park.

Cania Gorge National Park

A spectacular landscape of prominent sandstone cliffs, caves, eucalypt forest and dry rainforest on sheltered slopes. While side gullies and creeks provide moist, cool conditions for ferns and mosses, above 70m cliffs is a dry, rugged expanse of open woodland typical of Central Queensland's extensive sandstone belt.

Capricorn Coast National Park

Rocky outcrops along the Capricorn Coast were formed by volcanic eruptions about 130 million years ago. The park protects a variety of vegetation types from windswept low heath with scattered pandanus and she-oaks to eucalypt/wattle open forest, dry rainforest, tussock grassland and mangroves.

Carnarvon National Park

Carnarvon Gorge Section

An oasis in the semi-arid heart of Queensland. Here, in the Gorge section of Carnarvon National Park, towering white sandstone cliffs form a spectacular steep-sided gorge with narrow, vibrantly-coloured and lush side gorges. Boulderstrewn Carnarvon Creek winds through the gorge.

Ka Ka Mundi Section

Across the undulating plains, Ka Ka Mundi’s sandstone cliffs dominate the clear blue skyline. This remote section of Carnarvon National Park contains more than 30km of escarpments and plateaus in the central highlands. Ka Ka Mundi was grazed for more than a century before it became national park in 1974.

Mt Moffatt Section

Sculpted sandstone outcrops, spectacular views from the highest plateau in Queensland and highly significant Aboriginal rock art sites are found in this remote section of Carnarvon National Park.

Salvator Rosa Section

Crystal clear springs add more than 10 million litres of water a day to peaceful Louisa Creek and the Nogoa River as they meander beneath a backdrop of rocky sandstone crags and spires.

Expedition National Park

On the Expedition Range in central Queensland lies remote and rugged Expedition National Park. Dry eucalypt forest covers most of the park. The mature spotted gum forest is the only intact forest of this type. Patches of dry rainforest scrub grow in narrow side gorges and wildflowers flourish along the cliff tops. Sandy Robinson Gorge is lined with cabbage palms (a relic from the dinosaur era), bottlebrushes and wattles.

Keppel Bay Islands National Park

Secluded beaches, crystal-clear waters, plunging cliffs and diverse plant communities are some of the attractions of Keppel Bay Islands National Park.

Kroombit Tops National Park

Rugged mountain scenery, sandstone cliffs and gorges, creeks, waterfalls and a variety of vegetation types are protected in two adjacent reserves on the 800—900m high Kroombit Tops Plateau. This large protected area is the headwaters for many creeks and a refuge for wildlife including tropical and subtropical rainforest species and animals close to the limit of their usual range.

Minerva National Park

Spectacular jagged peaks provide a scenic backdrop to Springsure in this park in Central Queensland. Formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago, Mt Boorambool and cliff-fringed Mt Zamia today dominate the landscape. In the grassy open woodlands, mountain coolabah, silverleaved ironbark and gum-topped bloodwood tower over macrozamias and grasstrees. Dry rainforest with figs, stinging trees, pittosporums and vines flourishes in sheltered gorges and at the base of the sheer cliffs.

Mt Archer National Park

On Rockhampton’s northern doorstep, Mt Archer National Park protects bushland remnants in the Berserker Ranges, a scenic backdrop to the city. Mt Archer (604m) is the highest peak. Open forest clothes the mountain while lush subtropical rainforest grows in sheltered pockets, making this park a haven for wildlife. Mt Archer was named after the early pioneers of the Rockhampton area.

Mt Etna Caves National Park

Limestone outcrops and dense, decorated caves are protected in Mt Etna Caves National Park. Mt Etna is the roosting site for more than 80 percent of Australia’s breeding population of little bent-wing bats. This is also one of the few places in Australia supporting a colony of the endangered ghost bat.

Mt Jim Crow National Park

Volcanic activity created Mt Jim Crow, a trachyte plug protected in Mt Jim Crow National Park. The base and lower slopes of this impressive dome are covered in semievergreen vine thickets and hoop pines. Mt Jim Crow is important to the local Aboriginal people. A Dreaming legend tells the story of how this mountain was created by the Rainbow Serpent.

Lake Nuga Nuga National Park

The Lake Nuga Nuga National Park is in the fertile Arcadia Valley. If, while visiting Lake Nuga Nuga, you happen to see the Aboriginal Dreamtime Rainbow Serpents who live under the two peaks that dominate the northern shoreline, please do not disturb them as the lake will go dry!

Shoalwater & Corio Bay Wetlands & Marine Habitat

The Shoalwater & Corio Bay areas are home to 14 of the 29 wetlands found in Queensland, unique dune systems dating back into the Pleistocene era, almost half the mangrove species found in Australia. These wetlands and marine habitats are important feeding and breeding grounds for almost a thousand species of migratory birds, marine turtles and dugongs. Because the area is relatively undeveloped and community entry to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area is very limited, the bays do not attract mass tourism. The area is managed by the EPA & GBRMPA as part of a protection and conservation plan.