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Parks and forests > Find a park or forest

Mount Fox, Girringun National Park

Park alerts and park summary

Getting there and getting around

Mount Fox is 75km south-west of Ingham via the Herbert River Valley and the Seaview Range. Travel west from Ingham along Abergowrie Road to Trebonne. From here the route is well signposted. About 20km from the park in the Mount Fox Forest Reserve, a lookout provides views across the valley.

While most of the route is unsealed and the road up the range is narrow and windy, it can still be accessed using a conventional vehicle. However, in summer, storms may restrict access to 4WD vehicles. Contact the RACQ to enquire about local road conditions (see tourism information links below for RACQ contact details). The Mount Fox Range Road is unsuitable for caravans.

Wheelchair accessibility

There are no wheelchair-accessible tracks or facilities in this section of Girringun National Park.

Park features

A relic of north Queensland's volcanic past, the Mount Fox Section of Girringun National Park contains an isolated, well-preserved, dormant volcano within its 215ha area.

Plant communities in and around Mount Fox are restricted by the windy conditions and a landscape riddled with boulders. Despite this, small patches of vine-thicket rainforest persist. Lining small gullies around the outside of the crater, the vine-thicket rainforest provides essential habitat for the endangered Sharman's rock-wallaby.

Read more about the natural environment of the Mount Fox Section of Girringun National Park.

Camping and accommodation

Camping

Camping is not permitted in the Mount Fox Section of Girringun National Park. Camping is permitted nearby in the Wallaman Falls Section of Girringun National Park, and at Broadwater campground in Abergowrie State Forest.

Other accommodation

There is a range of holiday accommodation in and around the towns between Townsville and Cairns. The options include hotels, motels, bed and breakfast, hostels, farm stays, eco-lodges, caravan parks and commercial camping areas.

For more information see the tourism information links below.

Things to do

Walking

Mount Fox — 2km return (Allow 1–1.5 hrs) Grade: Difficult.
This steep climb ascends 160m in altitude up the side of Mount Fox, offering views of the crater and the surrounding Kangaroo Hills countryside. There is no marked or maintained track. This walk is for experienced walkers with a high level of fitness. Be prepared for a steep climb on unstable, slippery surfaces.

Things to know before you go

The Mount Fox Section of Girringun National Park is remote and help can be hours away. Remember to tell a responsible person where you are going and when you expect to return. Let them know your route and contact them on your safe return. Have a contingency plan in place if you fail to contact them by the agreed time. If you change your plans, inform them. Be aware that mobile phone coverage is limited.

A bushwalking registration form can be collected from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Information Centres.

Essentials to bring

No facilities are provided at the Mount Fox Section of Girringun National Park. Visitors must be completely self-sufficient. For a safe and enjoyable visit please look at the hints for walking to ensure you are well prepared.

You will also need to bring:

Opening hours

The Mount Fox Section of Girringun National Park is open 24 hours a day.

The Mount Fox walking track may be closed during the wet season, between November and May. Additional closures may occur for management purposes including weed and feral animal control.

Permits and fees

There are no permits or fees required to visit the Mount Fox Section of Girringun National Park.

Pets

Please leave your pets at home; domestic animals are not permitted in Girringun National Park.

Climate and weather

The cooler months, from April to September, are the best times to visit Mount Fox. During this time, temperatures range from a minimum overnight temperature of 5 degrees Celsius to a daytime maximum temperature of 30 degrees Celsius.

Rainfall is sparse at Mount Fox, although storms occur in summer. For more information see the tourism information links below.

Fuel and supplies

Fuel and supplies are available from local towns such as Ingham and Townsville.

Staying safe

In the event of an emergency, communication equipment is vital. You should carry at least one form of communication equipment. Mobile phone coverage is very limited and should not be relied upon as the only form of emergency communication. In case of an emergency, if network access is available, dial 000 with a CDMA mobile phone or 112 with a normal digital mobile phone.

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

Looking after the park

Please assist QPWS to look after this special place. Please follow these guidelines:

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

Park management

Originally gazetted as Mount Fox National Park in 1965, this section now forms part of Girringun National Park.

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

Tourism information links

Flinders Mall Information Centre (Townsville Enterprise Ltd)
Hinchinbrook Visitor Information Centre

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

For information on road conditions contact:

RACQ (The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland)
  • www.racq.com.au
  • (see Motoring, Road Safety, Road Conditions Report)
  • ph 1300 130 595 for 24-hour road reports

Further information

QPWS Rainforest and Reef Information Centre
QPWS Reef and National Parks Information Centre
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

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Last updated: 15 November 2006