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Byfield National Park and Conservation Park

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Getting there and getting around

Byfield National Park

Byfield National Park is approximately one hour from North Rockhampton and 30 minutes from Yeppoon. The park has three access points. A four-wheel-drive is needed throughout the main section and to access Byfield Conservation Park.

Access via Byfield State Forest

Byfield State Forest is a 30-minute drive north of Yeppoon via the sealed Yeppoon-Byfield Road. When in the State forest, follow the sign posts along the unsealed road to Waterpark Creek visitor area. Drive with caution as trucks carrying timber share State forest roads.

The entrance to Byfield National Park is in Byfield State Forest, 9.8km east of Waterpark Creek visitor area. A four-wheel-drive is needed from this point.

The 15km soft sand track from the park entrance to the coast may take more than one hour. Sand driving experience is essential to drive safely in the soft sand with minimal impact. You may access all sand tracks within the park, except those marked “ No vehicle access” or “Authorised vehicles only”. To help with navigation, all intersections have numbered markers as shown on the Byfield National Park map.

Access via Sandy Point section

Sandy Point carpark is accessible in conventional vehicles. Travel 5km north of Yeppoon and turn right (eastward) at the roundabout. Continue for 10km on a sealed road past Rydges Resort to the T-junction. Turn right and follow the gravel road for 10km to Sandy Point. You can reach the beach via a track from the carpark. Four-wheel-drive and a beach permit are required to access the beach by vehicle.

Access via Waterpark Point

Waterpark Point is part of Byfield National Park on the northern side of Corio Bay. This headland is only accessible by boat. Small boats can launch from the beach in the Sandy Point section, as there is no formal boat ramp. A council beach permit is required for vehicle access. A council boat ramp is also available at Corbetts Landing on Waterpark Creek.

Byfield Conservation Park

Five Rocks visitor area includes a campground and picnic area. It is accessed through Byfield National Park and requires a four-wheel-drive.

Wheelchair accessibility

Toilets large enough for wheelchairs are provided in Five Rocks visitor area in Byfield Conservation Park. Assistance is required as it is sandy, there is a step and the toilets currently do not have railings.

Park features

Byfield National Park covers over 15,000ha. Massive parabolic sand dunes, the oldest reaching 5– 6km inland, occupy most of the southern part of the park. In the north, the rugged granite pinnacles of The Peaks and Mt Atherton dominate the landscape. The park boasts outstanding coastal scenery.

The park conserves large areas of coastal heath growing on low-nutrient dune sands. In sheltered areas, taller eucalypt woodlands flourish and where there is abundant water, rainforest thrives. The area also supports many migratory and resident birds.

Camping and accommodation

Camping

Three areas are available for camping in the national and conservation park. Camping permits are required and fees apply. Before setting up camp you will need to obtain a camping permit, then attach it to your tent in a visible place.

Five Rocks visitor area

This is the park's only campground with facilities and offers self-registration camping only. There are picnic tables, toilets, cold showers and water, which must be treated before drinking. You cannot book campsites in advance. Ensure you obtain your permit at the self-registration station before setting up camp.

Beach camping

Beach camping is permitted at Nine Mile Beach and only in zones designated by blue markers. You will need to self-register at the Five Rocks visitor area before setting up camp. You cannot book in advance. The nearest facilities are at Five Rocks visitor area.

Camping is not permitted at Sandy Point section, along Three Rivers Beach or at Corio Bay.

Scouts Camp — Waterpark Point campground

Bush camping at the Scouts Camp — Waterpark Point campground is only accessible by boat. The one site caters for up to 20 people and you must book in advance. There are no facilities.

Please camp with minimum impact and take all rubbish with you when you leave.

Other accommodation

Byfield township includes cabin-style accommodation and there is a wide range of accommodation available in Yeppoon and Rockhampton. For more information see the tourism information links below.

There are also camping areas with facilities at Byfield State Forest.

Things to do

Walking

Improve your fitness while you enjoy the sights but ensure you match the walk to your fitness and mobility. Experienced bushwalkers can tackle longer walks and unmarked trails.

Queen Mary Sandblow — undefined track. Grade: difficult.

The sandblow is part of a large, dynamic dune system on the southern end of Nine Mile Beach. To access the beach you can take either Nine Mile track or the southern track from Five Rocks visitor area. (The beach access points are numbered 19 and 21 on the map). The sandblow is about 10km south from access point 19, and 8.1km south from access point 21. From the beach you will need to scramble over a sand cliff for about five metres. A sign on this dune's peak marks the start of a distinct walking track, which begins with a 500m walk through beach scrub and dune vegetation. Once on the sandblow it is quite exposed and the track is not defined. There are panoramic views from the peak but only those who are fit should attempt this walk, as it is difficult. Take plenty of water and wear sun protective clothing.

Five Rocks track — 500m to beach (Allow 2 hours to explore) Grade: easy.

A short, stepped walking track from the Five Rocks visitor area follows Findlays Creek down to a vehicle-free beach between Stockyard Point and Five Rocks headland. Allow time to walk along the beach and explore the headland. This walk is best at low tide as access to Three Rivers Beach is cut at high tide.

Driving

All tracks through Byfield National Park are suitable for four-wheel driving. Sand driving experience is required. Beach driving requires a Livingstone Shire Council beach permit.

In the Sandy Point Section, four-wheel-drive vehicles with a beach permit are permitted along Farnborough beach between Bangalee and Sandy Point.

Special care needs to be taken to keep to the boarded track across Sandy Point Spit as endangered little terns nest here, mainly between September and January.

Safe sand driving

For more information about safe sand driving, please read the guidelines on driving on sand.

Picnic and day-use area

Enjoy a picnic at Five Rocks visitor area. Picnic tables, toilets and cold showers are provided and a walking track gives access to a vehicle-free beach.

Boating and fishing

Recreational fishing and boating is a popular activity for visitors to Byfield National Park. Small boats can be launched from the Sandy Point section; however, there is no formal boat ramp available. A boat ramp at Corbetts Landing launches into Waterpark Creek. It is managed by Livingstone Shire Council and is accessible from Byfield State Forest.

All waters around Byfield and Corio Bay are protected as marine park. A yellow conservation park zone, which permits certain activities and limits line fishing, extends along much of Farnborough and Nine Mile Beach.

Corio Bay and the waters east of the conservation park zone have various general use zones with line and hook conditions under the Fisheries Act.

For more detailed zoning maps and information for State waters see Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park and for Commonwealth waters see Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Information is also available from EPA Rockhampton or EPA Rosslyn Bay.

Viewing wildlife

Rare, endangered and endemic (found nowhere else) plants, such as the Byfield fern Bowenia serrulata and the Byfield grevillea Grevillea venusta, thrive in Byfield.

The area supports many migratory and resident birds. Endangered little terns Sterna albifrons nest on the shifting sandy spit of Sandy Point and vulnerable beach stone-curlews Esacus neglectus have been sighted along the coast. Corio Bay and Waterpark Creek are significant breeding grounds for prawns and fish. With internationally significant wetlands and feeding and roosting sites for migratory shore birds, Sandy Point will delight birdwatchers. Please take care, however, as these areas are extremely sensitive to disturbances.

Things to know before you go

Essentials to bring

Byfield National Park is remote and you need to be self-sufficient. There are no public facilities at the small coastal township of Stockyard Point adjacent to Byfield Conservation Park. The nearest shop and fuel are in Byfield township.

Make sure you have:

Opening hours

This park is open 24 hours a day, all year round.

Permits and fees

Camping permits

All camping areas within Byfield National Park and Byfield Conservation Park require a camping permit and fees apply. You need to purchase your permit before setting up camp. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your campsite.

Camping fees are $4 per person per night or $16 per family per night. A family group is up to two adults and accompanying children under 18. Children under five are free.

Beach driving permits

A local council beach permit is required to drive on all beaches, and road rules apply. All vehicles must be registered and operated by licensed drivers.

Obtain your beach permit before arrival at:

Other permits

Commercial photography permits are required if you intend to sell any photographs you take of Byfield National Park. Group activity permits are required for organised group activities that may interfere with general public use. Contact EPA Rockhampton.

Pets

Domestic animals are not permitted in Byfield National Park and Byfield Conservation Park, including the national park areas of Sandy Point and Waterpark Point.

Climate and weather

The Byfield area has a unique subtropical climate and receives more rain than surrounding areas. It can be hot, humid and wet. For more information see the tourism information links below.

Fuel and supplies

You must be self-sufficient during your stay. The nearest fuel and supplies are at Byfield township, which is 2km north from the turn-off to Waterpark Creek visitor area. Fuel and supplies are also available at Yeppoon. For more information see the tourism information links below.

Please be aware

Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area lies to the park's north and includes the land above high water mark on the northern part of Three Rivers Beach. Access to this area is prohibited by the Department of Defence. Camping is not permitted on Three Rivers Beach.

Staying safe

To enjoy a safe visit to this area please:

Swimming

Bushwalking

Search and rescue operations are very costly and risk other lives. Be careful and try to prevent getting lost or injured. Carry a personal positioning beacon if you go off-track. It may save your life. Never rely solely on mobile phones. They are usually out of range.

In case of emergency

For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.

Looking after the park

Parks and forests protect Queensland's wonderful natural diversity and scenery. Help keep these places special by following these guidelines.

See Caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

Park management

The Byfield national and conservation parks form part of the last remaining undeveloped areas on the central Queensland Coast. They are managed primarily to conserve the natural and cultural values of the area and to preserve the Waterpark Creek catchment.

Tourism information links

Capricorn Coast Information Centre
Capricorn Tourism Information Centre

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au.

Further information

Parks and forests
Environmental Protection Agency
  • 61 Yeppoon Road
  • PO Box 3130, Rockhampton Shopping Fair, North Rockhampton QLD 4701
  • ph (07) 4936 0511
  • fax (07) 4936 2212
Marine parks
Environmental Protection Agency
  • John Howes Drive, Rosslyn Bay
  • PO Box 770, Yeppoon QLD 4703
  • ph (07) 4933 6595
  • fax (07) 4933 6619
EPA Customer Service Centre
  • 160 Ann Street, Brisbane
  • PO Box 15155, City East QLD 4002
  • ph (07) 3227 8186
  • fax (07) 3227 8749
  • email csc@epa.qld.gov.au
Smart Service (for camping bookings)

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Last updated: 27 February 2008