Burrum Coast National Park
Getting there and getting around
Woodgate Section
The central section of the park, Woodgate Section, can be reached from Childers or Bundaberg. From Childers, travel 2km east on the Bruce Highway, take the turn off to Goodwood and travel 36km to Woodgate Beach township. From Bundaberg, follow Barolin Street until it becomes Goodwood Road and travel 57km to Woodgate Beach township. From Woodgate Beach township, signs lead you to the national park.
Kinkuna Section
Access to Kinkuna, the northern section of the park, is by 4WD vehicle only. Travel 14km south from Bundaberg or 40km north-east from Childers on the Bundaberg-Goodwood-Childers Road. Turn into Coonarr Road at the railway overpass and follow for 8km, then turn right into Palm Beach Road for 1km to the park boundary. Follow the signs to the bush camping areas.
Access is also possible from Woodgate Road in dry conditions. Follow the signs from Whoopi's Road 3km before Woodgate Beach township.
Wet weather access may be restricted due to local flooding — contact Woodgate Ranger Station for road conditions. During wet conditions, the Woodgate-Palm Beach road through Kinkuna is closed.
Burrum River Section
Access to the southern section of the park, the Burrum River Section, is via the Bruce Highway — exit at Torbanlea or Howard. From these towns travel via the Burrum Heads Road to the park (about 15km). The park is on both sides of the Burrum Heads Road just before Burrum Heads township.
Wheelchair accessibility
In the Woodgate Section, Hoppy Larks Creek picnic area has a wheelchair-accessible track to a viewing platform with a picnic table and fishing platform on the banks of the Gregory River. Walkers Point picnic area is wheelchair-accessible with paved areas to picnic tables and some of the walking track. The boardwalk from Acacia Street through a melaleuca (tea-tree) swamp is also wheelchair-accessible.
Park features
Covering 23,100 hectares, Burrum Coast National Park protects diverse plant and animal communities, including mangrove-lined riverbanks, wallum heath with spectacular wildflowers and tea tree-dominated swamps where Livistona palms reach above the canopy. Areas of deeper soil support eucalypt forests, including the vulnerable Goodwood gum Eucalyptus hallii.
Burrum Coast National Park is the perfect place to appreciate the splendour and peace of the natural environment.
- Read more about the natural environment of Burrum Coast National Park.
Camping and accommodation
Camping
Bush camping is permitted in the Kinkuna Section. There are no facilities.
A small campground with minimal facilities is provided at Burrum Point in the Woodgate Section. Camping permits are required and fees apply.
There is no camping in the Burrum River Section.
- Find out more about camping in Burrum Coast National Park
- Book your campsite in the Kinkuna Section online.
- If you cannot book online, book by phone on 13 13 04.
- Permits can also be purchased in person at the QPWS Bundaberg or QPWS Maryborough office.
Other accommodation
There is a range of holiday accommodation in Bundaberg and Childers. For more information see the tourism information links below.
Things to do
Walking
Woodgate walking tracks
Four walking tracks offer you a chance to take a closer look at Woodgate's scenery and wildlife.
Map reference 1. The boardwalk — 800m return (Allow 20 minutes) Grade: Easy
The boardwalk is wheelchair accessible and enables visitors to take a short excursion through melaleuca (tea tree) swamp. Access is via Sixth Avenue then along Acacia Street.
Map reference 2. Banksia track — 5.2km return (Allow 2 hours) Grade: Moderate
This track passes through melaleuca (tea tree) swamp and open forest, into Livistona decipiens palm forest and finally through a wallum heath plain where wildflowers bloom between August and October. Timing a visit to see the wildflowers is very rewarding for photographers, birdwatchers and those interested in native plants. Access is via Sixth Avenue then along Acacia Street.
Map reference 3. Melaleuca track — 12.3km return (Allow 4 hours) Grade: Easy
This track passes through wallum vegetation and around saltpans, swamps and mangroves. Birds are abundant near swamps and mangroves in the early morning. Access via Burrum Point campground or Walkers Point picnic area.
Map reference 4. Birdhide walk — 5km return (Allow 1.5 hours) Grade: Easy
A birdhide on the edge of a shallow wetland offers excellent views of a variety of waterbirds. Visit the birdhide in the cooler parts of the day when birdlife is most abundant and active. Access via Burrum Point campground or Walkers Point picnic area.
Burrum River Section
There are no designated walking tracks in this section of the park. If using firebreaks for hiking, watch for vehicles. Please note, no dogs or horses are allowed. Be considerate of the rights of neighbouring landholders. Do not enter private property adjoining the park without the landholder's permission.
Other activities
Boating, canoeing and fishing are popular activities on the Burrum River, between the Woodgate and Burrum River sections of the park.
Things to know before you go
Essentials to bring
Bring and wear a hat, sunscreen and clothing to protect you from the sun and from insects.
If camping, remember to bring:
- fuel or gas camping stoves to help reduce the risk of wildfires caused by open fires;
- sufficient food, drinking water, fuel and medical supplies;
- containers suitable for storing rubbish.
Opening hours
Burrum Coast National Park is open 24 hours a day.
Permits and fees
Camping permits are required for camping in Burrum Coast National Park. Fees apply.
Woodgate Section
Bookings are essential for peak periods and can be made through QPWS Bundaberg. Permits for camping in the Woodgate Section can be purchased from QPWS Bundaberg or Maryborough offices. Outside peak periods, permits can also be obtained at the self-registration shelter in the campground.
Kinkuna Section
- Book your campsite in the Kinkuna Section online.
- If you cannot book online, book by phone on 13 13 04.
- Permits can also be purchased in person at QPWS Bundaberg and Maryborough offices.
Pets
Domestic animals are not permitted in Burrum Coast National Park.
Climate and weather
The Burrum Coast has a mild, subtropical climate. In summer, evenings can be humid. Daily temperatures range from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius in summer and from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius in winter.
Fuel and supplies
Fuel and supplies are available at Woodgate Beach and Burrum Heads, and a wider range of supplies is available in Bundaberg and Childers. For more information see the tourism information links below.
Staying safe
Walking wisely
- Choose walks that suit the capabilities of your entire group.
- Wear a hat, sunscreen, comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes with good grip.
- Stay together and keep to designated walking tracks. Always supervise children.
- Take a basic first aid kit.
- Always carry drinking water.
Fire safety
Wildfires are a threat to walkers, campers and the wallum community. They can occur without warning, so be aware of and prepared for the dangers.
Open campfires are only permitted in Kinkuna camping area. Help protect people, animals and plants from uncontrolled wildfires by not lighting fires elsewhere in the park.
- Please bring and use your own fuel or gas camping stoves to help reduce the risk of wildfires caused by open fires. Even fuel or gas stoves must be used with care.
- Never leave your stove unattended.
- Stay with children when around stoves.
- Report bushfires immediately to 000. Early reporting may avert a devastating wildfire.
Driving safely
Roads in the national park are gravel or sand. A 4WD vehicle is recommended at all times. Driving in sandy landscapes requires some care to protect both you and the fragile sand environment.
- Normal road rules apply, including speed limits and seat belts.
- Stay on the tracks; never drive on the dunes.
- Lower your speed for the conditions.
- When driving on soft sand, you may choose to reduce your tyre pressure to increase traction. Always stay within the manufacturer's specifications.
- Carry repair equipment.
For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.
Looking after the park
Help us care for Burrum Coast National Park by observing a few simple rules:
- Human food can harm wildlife and cause some animals to become aggressive. Do not feed or leave food for animals.
- Take your rubbish home. Do not bury rubbish in the park.
- Use toilets where provided. In other cases, dig a pit toilet at least 1m deep and, where possible, at least 100m from water courses, tracks and campsites.
- Soap pollutes the water. Do not use soap in the ocean, freshwater lakes or creeks.
- Bury fish remains below high-tide mark, covered with at least 50cm of sand.
- Everything in the park (living or dead) is protected including wildflowers, wildlife and even rocks and timber.
See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.
Park management
The three sections of the park were gazetted progressively between 1969 and 1991. They were combined into Burrum Coast National Park in 1994. A plan of management will be prepared in the future.
Tourism information links
- Bundaberg City Visitor Information Centre
-
- www.bundabergregion.info
- 186 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg
- PO Box 930, Bundaberg QLD 4670
- ph (07) 4153 8888
- fax (07) 4151 2527
- email info@bundabergregion.org
For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au.
Further information
- QPWS Woodgate
-
- 101 Walkers Point Road, Woodgate Beach
- PO Box 167, Woodgate QLD 4660
- ph (07) 4126 8810
- fax (07) 4126 8939
- QPWS Maryborough
-
- Cnr Lennox and Alice Streets, Maryborough
- PO Box 101, Maryborough QLD 4650
- ph (07) 4121 1800
- fax (07) 4121 1650
- QPWS Bundaberg
-
- 46 Quay Street, Bundaberg
- PO Box 1735, Bundaberg QLD 4670
- ph (07) 4131 1600
- fax (07) 4131 1620
- EPA Customer Service Centre
-
- 160 Ann Street, Brisbane
- PO Box 15155, City East QLD 4002
- ph (07) 3227 8185
- fax (07) 3227 8749
- email csc@epa.qld.gov.au
Last updated: 15 March 2007
