Visiting Conondale safely

Getting there and getting around

• Booloumba Creek day-use area GPS Grid reference Zone 56 465150 E 7052800 N; Latitude: 152°38’59”E Longitude 26°38’22”S
• Sunshine Coast hinterland locality map (PDF, 386.8KB)
• Conondale National Park and Imbil State Forest map (PDF, 2.4MB)

From Brisbane, follow the Bruce Highway north, and take the Kenilworth exit. Follow the signs for Kenilworth, travelling along the Eumundi-Kenilworth Road for about 28km. Go through Kenilworth and continue toward Maleny. The turn-off to Sunday Creek Road is about 7km past Kenilworth and the turn-off to Booloumba Creek day-use and camping areas is a further 500m.

Alternative access is via Maleny. Go through Maleny and follow the signs to Kenilworth. On the way to Kenilworth, pass through a small town called Conondale. The turn-off to Booloumba Creek day-use and camping areas is about 13km past Conondale and the turn-off to Sunday Creek Road is a further 500m.

All park roads are gravel and at present suitable for high clearance four-wheel drive vehicles only. Booloumba Creek Road includes several creek crossings.

Nearby Imbil State Forest offers similar creek side camping experiences at Charlie Moreland camping area and is accessible via Kenilworth and Conondale by conventional two-wheel-drive vehicles.

When driving on forest roads—expect the unexpected!

For your safety please observe the following:

• Obey all road closures—roads may be closed due to deep water levels at creek crossings or wet and slippery conditions.
• Obey road signs—speed limits apply.
• Slow down—allow time to react to unexpected situations and changed conditions. You share the road with other drivers, logging trucks, cyclists, walkers, horse riders and wildlife.
• Be courteous—pull over to the left to allow vehicles to pass. For photography and enjoying the scenery, find a safe place to pull over or turn around. Do not stop on the roadway.
• Watch out for corners—stay on your side of the road. Avoid sudden slowing as the vehicle may slide.
• Take extra care on steep and wet roads—shift down a gear.
• When creek water is across the road, check water depth and road surface before crossing. Water usually covers the Booloumba Creek crossings.

Always check road conditions and weather forecasts before travelling.

• For road conditions visit the Department of Transport and Main Roads website.
• For weather forecasts visit the Bureau of Meteorology website.
• Check park alerts.

Wheelchair accessibility

At Booloumba Creek 1 camping area wheelchair-accessible toilets are provided—assistance may be required to negotiate grass and gravel areas.

Booloumba Creek 1 camping area has a person with a disability (PWD) camp site.

Staying safe

Stay on track—tell a responsible person where you are going and when you expect to return. Wear sturdy shoes. Carry adequate clothing, water and snack food.

Supervise children—natural areas have hazards with which children are unfamiliar: creeks, cliff edges, stinging plants and defensive wildlife.

Human food is not for wildlife—it can cause overpopulation, illness and aggressive behaviour.

Water hazards—never dive into creeks or rock pools, as they contain submerged rocks and logs. Water depth is unpredictable. Rock surfaces can be slippery.

Carry a first-aid kit—use repellent on exposed skin and shoes to discourage mosquitoes, leeches and ticks. Remove ticks immediately.

Treat all water—boil water for approximately three minutes to kill most pathogens or use water treatment tablets. Tap water is pumped from the creek and may contain organisms that can cause illness.

Take care with fire—allowed only in constructed fireplaces or provided fire rings (except when fire prohibitions or fire bans are in place). Make sure the fire is out before you leave. Fuel stoves are recommended.

Follow the give-way code—cyclists and walkers give way to horses.

For all emergencies phone Triple Zero (000). Be aware that mobile phone reception is poor in these areas. Public phones are located at Booloumba Creek camping area 1 and on Sunday Creek Road in front of the QPWS Kenilworth office.

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

Before you visit

Plan your trip carefully, be self-sufficient and ensure your vehicle is in good condition.

Essentials to bring:

• Carry enough food, water, equipment and other supplies for your trip.
• Pack a first-aid kit, sunscreen, insect repellent, sturdy shoes, hat and raincoat.
• Bring suitable clothing. Temperatures in the area soar above 30°C in summer and drop below 0°C in winter. Nights can be cool at any time of the year.
• Bring rubbish bags, and take all recyclables and rubbish with you when you leave. Rubbish bins are not provided. Remove excess packaging when you pack for your trip.
• Preferably bring and use fuel or gas stoves. If you do wish to use the barbecues provided, bring your own clean, milled firewood, as it is illegal to collect firewood from the park.

Drinking water

Treat all water collected from the park before drinking. Tap water is pumped from the creek and may contain organisms that can cause illness.

Opening hours

The park is open 24hrs every day. Walking tracks, roads and camping areas within the park may be closed during fires, adverse weather conditions, for essential track maintenance or safety reasons. Before you go, check park alerts for current access, closures and conditions.

Permits and fees

You will need a camping permit if you wish to camp in forests or parks. Fees apply.

• Book your camp sites online.
• If you cannot book on line, see camping bookings for other options.

Pets

Domestic animals are not permitted with the exception of horses, which may be ridden on the Horse Trail Network only.

Climate and weather

Temperatures in the area exceed 30°C in summer and drop below 0°C in winter. Nights can be cool at any time of the year. For more information see the tourism information links.

Fuel and supplies

Fuel and supplies are available at Kenilworth, Conondale, Maleny and Kilcoy. For more information see the tourism information links.