Things to do
Late afternoon sun highlights dry rainforest and illuminates the sandstone walls of Dragon Cave.
Photo credit: Robert Ashdown, Queensland Government.
The Shamrock mine site walk leads past reminders of the area's gold-mining history.
Photo credit: Robert Ashdown, Queensland Government.
Fern Tree Pool is a fine example of the quiet, shaded side-gorges that feed water into Three Moon Creek.
Photo credit: Robert Ashdown, Queensland Government.
View from the Giant's Chair Lookout at dusk.
Photo credit: Robert Ashdown, Queensland Government.
The Giant's Chair lookout, in the shade of pink spotted gums, is a great place to obtain a view over the varied vegetation communities of Cania Gorge.
Photo credit: Robert Ashdown, Queensland Government.
Camping and accommodation
Camping
Camping is not permitted in Cania Gorge National Park.
Commercially operated caravan and camping parks are provided nearby in the gorge.
Camping is permitted in nearby parks. Find more about camping in:
Other accommodation
Hotel, motel and caravan accommodation is available in Monto. For more information see the tourism information links.
Walking
Choose from eight graded walking tracks to explore Cania Gorge National Park. Use the walking track grades to choose walks that suit your group’s fitness and bushwalking experience.
Allow 15–20 minutes to walk one kilometre. This time is calculated for people of average fitness and bushwalking experience and who are wearing correct footwear. If you are walking with young children or are an inexperienced bushwalker, allow more time to include rests and to return to your starting point.
- Ensure you carry adequate drinking water for each walk (creek water is unsuitable for drinking).
- Walk carefully on loose gravel surfaces.
Picnic Area circuit
Distance: 300m return
Time: allow about 20min
Details: This short walk can be started from either end of Three Moon picnic area. The track runs beside Three Moon Creek, allowing views of the sandstone cliffs and surrounding eucalypt woodland.
Dripping Rock and The Overhang
Distance: 3.2km return
Time: allow about 2hr 30min
Distance: This pleasant walk starts at the southern end of Three Moon picnic area. After crossing the Three Moon Creek the track winds through eucalypt woodland and dry rainforest before leading to the base of Dripping Rock (2.2km return). In wet times, choruses of frogs can be heard near the creeks. The track continues on to The Overhang where centuries of weathering and erosion has eroded the base of the sandstone cliff with striking yellow and red features.
Dragon Cave and Bloodwood Cave
Distance: 2.6km return
Time: allow about 1hr
Details: Begin at the picnic area and start on the Dripping Rock Track for 400m before taking a right turn over the bridge across Russell Gully. A moderately steep track leads to the cliff face where a sidetrack branches north to Dragon Cave (1.8km return). Here, the natural black mural of a 'dragon' can be seen highlighted against the white sandstone wall. The southern branch of the track leads to Bloodwood Cave, so called because the roots of a bloodwood tree can be seen at the left-hand side of the cave. This walk includes natural creek crossings.
Two Storey Cave circuit
Distance: 1.3km return
Time: allow about 45min
Details: This scenic walk starts opposite Three Moon picnic area. Starting to the left, the circuit meanders upwards around isolated sandstone monoliths. A 20m sidetrack leads to King Orchid Crevice, a parting of the cliff that has created an ideal haven for epiphytes. The top section of Two Storey Cave is important habitat for insectivorous bats. Please do not disturb these animals.
Fern Tree Pool and Giant's Chair circuit
Distance: 5.6km return
Time: allow about 3hr
Details: The circuit begins from a car park 900m south of Three Moon picnic area and is best walked in an anti-clockwise direction. Crossing Doctors Gully several times, the track passes Fern Tree Pool (2.5km) and continues at a moderate climb for another 2.2km up a sandstone escarpment to the Giant's Chair lookout. The circuit returns 900m to the car park down a steep track and steps. This walk includes natural creek crossings.
Caution: Unfenced cliff top lookouts—remain on the walking track and keep away from the cliff edge. Supervise children closely.
Big Foot Walk
Distance: 1km return
Time: allow about 20min
Details: This short trail begins from a car park 900m south of Three Moon picnic area and runs parallel to the bitumen road. It features a large brown image of a four-toed foot on the white sandstone cliff.
Shamrock mine site
Distance: 1.4km return
Time: allow about 45min
Details: This walk begins from the northern car park, about 1km south of Lake Cania. The track meanders along a creek before passing into eucalypt woodland. At the former Shamrock gold mine site, there is a self-guided walk with information about life on the Cania Goldfields. The remains of mine shafts, processing sheds, and mullock heaps and the old battery can be seen along the way. Gold fossicking is not permitted.
Castle Mountain
Distance: 22km return
Time: allow 7–8hr
Details: From Three Moon picnic area follow the 800m Bloodwood Cave track to the Castle Mountain track turn-off. There is a steep 200m track to the Gorge lookout with a lovely view down the gorge. From here, a 10km fire trail winds through open woodland to Castle Mountain lookout. The lookout offers a rewarding view after the long walk. Return via the same track.
Caution: This walk is for experienced bushwalkers with navigation skills, self-reliance in first aid and the ability to cope with weather hazards is needed. The track:
- may be extensively overgrown; hazards such as fallen trees and rock falls likely to be present
- includes natural creek crossings
- has unfenced cliff edges and naturally occurring lookouts
- does not have reliable phone service.
Be prepared:
- This can be a hot walk. Start the walk in the cool of the early morning and take plenty of water and a first-aid kit.
- Wear ankle-supporting sturdy shoes, a hat, sunscreen and comfortable clothes.
- Before you go, put an emergency plan in place. Ensure that a responsible person is aware of where you are going, when you expect to return and knows what to do if you don't return when planned.
Picnic and day-use areas
Three Moon picnic area has sheltered tables, barbecues, tank water and toilets. It is located in the park's southern section adjacent to Three Moon Creek. Boil or chemically treat creek water. No bins are provided; visitors are asked to take their rubbish with them.
Viewing wildlife
Go wildlife watching and bring your camera and binoculars. Lace monitors, dollarbirds, king parrots, wompoo pigeons, regent bowerbirds and whiptail wallabies are found in this area. Platypus live in waterholes below the dam wall. The red kurrajong flowers in spring.
See the description of the park's natural environment for more details about Cania Gorge's diverse wildlife.
Other things to do
The display shelter in Three Moon picnic area provides information on the park's wildlife, vegetation and history.
North Burnett Regional Council manages a picturesque recreation and picnic area on the shore of Lake Cania, 11km north of Three Moon park picnic area. The lake is popular for water sports—fishing, boating, canoeing and swimming.
- There are currently no park alerts for this park.