Access keys | Skip to primary navigation | Skip to secondary navigation | Skip to content | Skip to footer |
Problems viewing this site
Parks and forests > Find a park or forest

Girraween National Park

  • Nature, culture and history
  • Frequently asked questions

    • Park alerts and park summary

    Getting there and getting around

    Girraween is situated approximately 260km by road south-west of Brisbane. To reach the park, turn off the New England Highway 26km south of Stanthorpe or 11km north of Wallangarra. The winding bitumen road continues a further 9km east through the Wyberba Valley to the park information centre.

    The alternative road from Stanthorpe to Girraween via Eukey and Storm King Dam has some sections of gravel.

    Wheelchair accessibility

    The Castle Rock camping area amenities block has wheelchair access.

    Park features

    Girraween National Park is a park of massive granite outcrops, balancing boulders and clear tumbling cascades.

    Golden wattles, yellow, red and purple pea flowers, dainty orchids and flannel flowers grow amid forests of red-gum, stringybark and blackbutt. Frogs, lizards and snakes rustle among the leaf litter. Brilliant turquoise parrots, yellow-tufted honeyeaters and superb blue wrens splash the granite-strewn countryside with colour, while red-necked wallabies, brush-tailed possums and spiny echidnas weave their way through the wonders of the woodland.

    Camping and accommodation

    Camping

    There are two developed camping areas: Bald Rock Creek and Castle Rock. Bush camping is permitted in some areas of the park, subject to limits on numbers. Camping permits are required and fees apply.

    Other accommodation

    A range of holiday accommodation is available in and around Stanthorpe and Tenterfield. For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Things to do

    Walking

    There are 17km of walking tracks within Girraween, ranging from a 1.4km return walk to the Granite Arch to a 10.4km return walk to Mount Norman. Most walks start near the visitor information centre and picnic area.

    Key to track standards

    Class 2 track (Australian Standards)
    Class 3 track (Australian Standards)
    Class 4 track (Australian Standards)

    Granite Arch — 1.4km circuit (35 minutes return) Class 3

    If time is limited or if you prefer an easy stroll, this circuit track is ideal. Branch off the Pyramid track and continue 300m through blackbutt and stringybark forest to Girraween's very own natural stone archway.

    Circuit track — 800m circuit (25 minutes return) Class 3

    Stroll the circuit connecting the day use area and Bald Rock Creek camping area. You can also reach the Visitor Information Centre and Gunn's Cottage from this track.

    The Pyramid — 3.4km (2 hours return) Classes 3 and 4

    Magnificent views and the sight of Balancing Rock are rewards for reaching the Pyramid's summit. The track to the base of this monstrous granite dome has gentle to moderate gradients. Weave through eucalypt forests and past rocky outcrops and wetlands to the base of the exposed rock face. A good level of fitness is required to make the climb up The Pyramid as the ascent of the exposed rock face is steep and may be tiring. Take your time to rest and enjoy the view.

    Warning: the summit has steep cliffs and potentially slippery surfaces. Keep to the track and supervise children closely.

    If the climb doesn't take your breath away, views of Balancing Rock, the Second Pyramid and over Girraween National Park will. There is no walking track to the second Pyramid and considerable rockclimbing experience is necessary to scale it.

    The Junction — 5km (2.5 hours return from the Bald Rock Creek day use area) Class 3;
    3.7 km (2 hours return from the Bald Rock Creek camping area) Class 3

    Enjoy an easy walk along the creek where there are both rock slabs and sandy edges. Follow the northern bank of Bald Rock Creek downstream to its junction with Ramsay Creek. In dry seasons, these creeks may not run.

    Flowering shrubs fringing the creek provide nectar for honeyeaters and parrots. Superb wrens, red-browed firetails and thornbills move through creek bank thickets seeking insects.

    Dr Roberts Waterhole — 1.2km (35 minutes return from Dr Roberts carpark) Class 2

    The track to Dr Roberts Waterhole starts from Dr Roberts carpark, 4km east of the information centre. Walk along a gently sloping track to gaze at reflections in the still waters of Bald Rock Creek. Ground orchids, banksias, conesticks, geebungs and crinkle bushes are prominent in spring, along with the many colourful bird species living in amongst them.

    Underground Creek — 2.8km (2 hours return from Dr Roberts carpark) Classes 2 and 3

    Branch off from the Dr Roberts waterhole track to see the Underground Creek. Passing through swamp communities, woodland and shrubland, this gently graded track gives views of spectacular wildflower displays and great bird watching.

    At the Underground Creek, Bald Rock Creek disappears beneath boulders that fell from an overhanging cliff face.

    Castle rock — 5.2km (2 hours return) Classes 3 and 4

    Castle Rock gives breathtaking panoramic views and is well worth the walk. The track varies from gentle to moderate gradients until the steep climb over exposed granite rocks to the summit.

    Black cypress, stringybarks and orange gums grow in woodlands on the rocky ridges. Yellow box and brown gums provide shade and good birdwatching.

    Warning: the summit has steep cliffs and potentially slippery surfaces. Keep to the track and supervise children closely.

    The Sphinx and Turtle Rock — 7.4km (4 hours return) Classes 3 and 4

    The track from Castle Rock to the Sphinx and Turtle Rock leads along a ridge top and is easy walking. The Sphinx is a granite pinnacle bearing a large balancing tor, while Turtle Rock is a large granite monolith resembling a turtle's back.

    Mount Norman — 10.4km (6 hours return from the Bald Rock Creek day use area) Classes 3 and 4

    When trekking across the rocky slabs below Mount Norman, the gradient varies from gentle to moderate. From the walking track you can see the Eye of the Needle on Mount Norman's northern face. The final approach to the summit is steep and rock climbing experience is needed to reach the absolute top. Do not attempt to rockclimb alone.

    Mount Norman day-use area — 14.4km (8 hours return from the Bald Rock Creek day use area) Classes 3 and 4

    Follow the track 2km south of Mount Norman to picnic at the Mount Norman day-use area. Water is not available at the Mount Norman day-use area.

    Ranger-guided tours

    There may be ranger-guided walks and talks in holiday times. Contact the Girraween National Park Visitor Information Centre for more details.

    Visitor Information Centre

    Spend time in the Visitor Information Centre learning about Girraween's fascinating natural and cultural heritage, its wildflowers and dramatic landforms.

    Picnic and day use areas

    Bald Rock Creek day use area is next to the Girraween National Park Visitor Information Centre, at the base of The Pyramid. Toilets, picnic tables, barbecues and drinking water are provided.

    Mt Norman day use area is on an unsealed road about half an hour's drive from Wallangarra. There are toilets and picnic tables but no water at this day use area.

    Viewing wildlife

    Girraween offers excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife. See kangaroos, possums and many colourful birds. Enjoy the colourful wildflower displays in spring.

    With over 750 plant, 150 bird, 22 mammal, 23 frog and 45 reptile species, Girraween guarantees its visitors a close encounter of a natural kind.

    See the description of the park's natural environment for more details about Girraween's diverse wildlife.

    Things to know before you go

    Essentials to bring

    Bring warm clothing and camping gear, and be prepared for cold changes in the weather at any time. Winter nights can reach -8 degrees Celsius. Summer days are warm (25-30 degrees Celsius) with cool nights.

    Rubbish bins are not provided. Please bring rubbish bags, and take all recyclables and rubbish with you when you leave.

    Preferably use fuel or gas stoves, but if you do wish to use the barbecues provided, please bring your own wood. Firewood can be purchased at the Ballandean Store on the New England Highway (15 kilometres from the park). Never collect wood from the bush. Take care with fire, keep your fires below the grate and make sure your fire is out before you leave it, especially during hot or windy conditions.

    Bring your camera and binoculars for viewing wildlife. A torch, preferably with a red filter to protect animals' eyes, is useful for spotlighting at night.

    Opening hours

    Girraween National Park is open 24 hours a day. The Girraween National Park Visitor Information Centre is usually open seven days a week during office hours, park duties permitting.

    Permits and fees

    To camp in the national park a permit is required and fees apply. Permits to camp in the campgrounds must be pre-booked. Advanced bookings are required for all public holidays, long weekends and school holidays. At other times campers may pre-book or self-register on-site. Remember: camping fees must be lodged before you camp overnight.

    Remember:

    Pets

    Domestic animals are not permitted in Girraween National Park.

    Climate and weather

    Not far from the Queensland-New South Wales border, Girraween National Park has more in common with cooler southern climates than with the Sunshine State. Crisp winter weather provides skies of blue and picturesque morning frosts. Spring conditions entice an amazing display of wildflowers and wildlife.

    Be prepared for cold changes any time. Girraween National Park is pleasantly cool most of the year round. Winters are usually dry and cold with frosty nights reaching an average minimum of -4 degrees Celsius. Summers days are a warm 25-30 degrees Celsius with cooler nights averaging 15-18 degrees Celsius. Most rain falls between November and March with an average rainfall of 850mm per year.

    For more information see the tourism information links below

    Fuel and supplies

    Fuel and supplies are available at Stanthorpe and Tenterfield and more limited supplies and fuel at Ballandean and Wallangarra. For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Staying safe

    To enjoy a safe visit to this area, please:

    For more information about staying safe while visiting national parks, please read the guidelines Safety in parks and forests.

    In an emergency

    In case of accident or other emergency please:

    The nearest hospital is located at Stanthorpe. Mobile phone coverage is not reliable in Girraween National Park, but may be possible in areas with high elevation or towards the New England Highway.

    Looking after the park

    Help us care for Girraween National Park by observing a few simple rules.

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

    Park management

    The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) manages Girraween National Park to conserve its natural and cultural resources, to present these resources and their values, and to ensure that use of these resources is nature-based and ecologically sustainable.

    A management plan for Girraween National Park will be prepared in the future.

    Tourism information links

    For more information about activities, tours and accommodation in this region, contact:
    Stanthorpe Visitor Information Centre

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

    Further information

    Girraween National Park
    • Via Ballandean QLD 4382
    • ph (07) 4684 5157
    • fax (07) 4684 5123
    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
    Smart Service (for camping bookings)

    << Return to park summary

    Last updated: 23 July 2007