Visiting D'Aguilar National Park safely

Getting there and getting around

D’Aguilar National Park lies on the doorstep of Brisbane, Queensland's capital city. The park is divided into two distinct sections—the southern section and northern section (Mount Mee—formerly Mount Mee State Forest and Forest Reserve).

• D’Aguilar National Park locality map (PDF, 2.4MB)
• View Google map

South D’Aguilar section

The southern section is easily accessible from Brisbane. The park’s picnic areas, walking tracks and lookouts are between 15min and 1hr drive from the city centre. Access is via Mount Nebo Road from The Gap (tourist route number 8), or via Samford along Samford and Mount Glorious roads (tourist route number 9).

Visit Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre before you embark on your journey. Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre is located at 60 Mount Nebo Road in The Gap, 12km from Brisbane city centre.

For information on bus services, contact TransLink on 13 12 30 or visit the TransLink website.

North D’Aguilar section (Mount Mee)

The northern section (Mount Mee) encompasses the northern area of the park that extends west to nearby Lake Somerset. This section of the park is about a 90min drive north-west of Brisbane.

From the south, travel through Samford and Dayboro then follow Mount Mee Road (tourist route number 29) and Sellin Road to the park. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended to access the park beyond The Gantry day-use area.

From the north, turn off the D’Aguilar Highway onto Neurum Road (just north of Woodford and east of Kilcoy) and follow it as far as Stanton Road. Turn left onto Stanton Road, then take the first right to stay on Stanton Road before turning right onto Rasmussen Road. Continue on Rasmussen Road for about 5km to the northern entrance of the park.

Wheelchair accessibility

Wheelchair-accessible facilities are provided at Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre and at parts of Bellbird Grove, Jollys Lookout, Maiala, The Cedars and The Gantry day-use areas. Assistance may be required. Refer to the D'Aguilar National Park locality map (PDF, 2.4MB) for these locations.

Staying safe

A Personal Locator Beacon is recommended where mobile coverage is not available and when undertaking remote area bushwalking and camping.

Mobile phone coverage is more likely to be available in areas with high elevation. It is unreliable in many parts of the park.

• Walking safety tips
• Horse and mountain-bike riding safety
• Bushfire safety

Follow the tips below and use common sense to stay safe in the park.

• Check park alerts and current weather forecasts for the local area you intend visiting in the park before setting out. Be prepared to cancel or postpone your trip during times of high fire danger or extreme weather events. Walking tracks and other areas, including 4WD roads, may be closed.
• Plan to complete walks and rides well before dark and start longer walks and rides at cooler times of the day to avoid heat exhaustion, especially in summer. Be aware that the western aspect of the park is more exposed to the sun and weather.
• Never walk or ride alone. Let a reliable person know where you are going and when you expect to return. If you change your plans inform them. This person will contact the police if you are overdue.
• Safe drinking water is only available at Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre. Treat water obtained from other sources in the park, including taps, creeks and lakes. For more information watch the ‘treat all drinking water’ web clip.
• Never dive or jump into water as it may be shallow or have submerged hazards.
• Keep to the walking tracks and trails and follow advice on all safety and warning signs.
• Take care near cliff edges, at lookouts, on rocks and near waterfalls, especially in wet weather, as tracks and surfaces can become slippery. Supervise children at all times.
• Stinging trees (recognisable by their very large, round leaves) can deliver an extremely painful sting—do not touch their leaves, including dead ones, or any part of the tree.
• Venomous snakes live in the park, so watch for snakes on tracks and trails, and wait for them to move away. Never pick up, disturb or provoke a snake. Carry elastic bandages in case of snakebite and know the correct first-aid procedures.
• Apply insect repellent to deter leeches, ticks and other insects. Use the recommended method for tick removal.
• Reduce risk of theft by removing valuables from your vehicle (including garage remotes) and taking them with you.
• Do not expect to be warned of every possible danger.

Walking safety tips

• Be prepared, even on short walks, and judge your ability and conditions carefully before setting out.
• Choose walks that suit the skill and ability of your slowest walker.
• When walking in remote areas:
  • Leave a copy of your bushwalking plans with a friend, relative or other reliable person. This person has responsibility for contacting police if you are overdue. Your plan should include:
    • your name, address, number of people in your party, ages and any medical conditions
    • vehicle registration, make, model, colour and parked location
    • the route you are taking, expected times of departure and return.
• Remember that search and rescue is costly, endangers people's lives and can damage the environment.
• Walk with a recognised bushwalking club. This is a good way to gain experience.
• Walk with one or more friends. At least one member of each party should be a competent map-reader and bushwalker.
• Learn map and compass skills. Download online topographic maps from websites such as QTopo, or purchase the D’Aguilar National Park South D’Aguilar section topographic map from Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre.

Learn more about Walking safely.

Horse and mountain-bike riding safety

• Ride only on the shared trails within the park. Do not take shortcuts or form new tracks as it damages the environment and causes erosion.
• Avoid riding on soft, wet and muddy tracks. Respect areas closed to riding.
• Avoid skidding and sliding around turns—collisions and injury may result.
• Slow down and consider other track users.
• Avoid riding in large groups.
• Plan ahead—ride within your ability and according to track conditions.
• Always wear a helmet.

Bushfire safety

In conditions of high fire danger, walking tracks and other areas of the park may be closed. Check park alerts before you leave. For your safety, and for those in your group, obey all signs and directions from Rangers.

Be familiar with bushfire safety. Please read the guidelines on staying safe during extreme weather.

If you see an unattended bushfire, call Triple Zero (000) and report the fire as soon as possible.

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

Before you visit

Be prepared for your visit to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable time.

• Essentials to bring
• Opening hours
• Permits and fees
• Pets
• Climate and weather
• Fuel and supplies

Essentials to bring

• drinking water—safe drinking water is only available at Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre—all other water obtained in the park must be treated before drinking
• rubbish bags—ensure all rubbish is removed from the park—there are no bins provided in the park
• sensible footwear with good grip, such as boots or sturdy shoes, to wear bushwalking
• a first-aid kit and knowledge of how to use it
• sun protection—wear sunscreen, a hat and long-sleeved shirt, even on cloudy days
• repellent for leeches, ticks and other insects.

Opening hours

The park is open 24 hours a day. For your safety, walk and ride during daylight hours only.

The Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre is open daily from 9.00am to 4.00pm (closed Christmas Day and some public holidays).

Permits and fees

Camping permits

Camping permits must be obtained prior to camping in the park and fees apply. A camping tag with your booking number must be displayed at your camp site.

• Find out more about camping in D’Aguilar National Park.
• Book your camp site online.
• If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.

Other permits

A special permit is not required for recreational activities in D’Aguilar National Park unless they are organised events or large scale competitive events. If an activity or visit to a protected area includes commercial photography or filming—that is, to sell photographs or film footage taken on a protected area or use photographs or footage in a product which will later be sold, such as a book or postcard—a permit must be obtained and a fee paid.

Pets

Domestic animals (other than horses that are permitted on the SEQ horse trails) are not permitted anywhere in D’Aguilar National Park.

Climate and weather

The average daily temperature range in Brisbane city is 22 to 30°C in summer and 12 to 22°C in winter. The areas of Mount Nebo, Mount Glorious and The Gantry are, on average, about 3 to 4 degrees cooler than Brisbane and often receive more rainfall.

Fuel and supplies

Fuel and supplies are available at The Gap and throughout Brisbane, or from Samford Village, Dayboro and D’Aguilar townships, or at Fernvale to the west.