Things to do

Camping and accommodation

Camping

Camping is permitted at Hunters Gorge and Gum Hole camping areas. A pit toilet and e-permit camping display are the only facilities provided. Camping permits are required and fees apply.

• Find out more about camping in Diamantina National Park.
• Book your camp site online.
• If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.
• See more general information about camping in national parks.

Other accommodation

See the tourism information links for information about accommodation in surrounding towns.

Hunters Gorge is a great spot to paddle a canoe.

Photo credit: Courtesy Nella Lithgow

Walking

Stretch your legs at Janets Leap lookout for panoramic views or explore several loose stone-walled structures thought to have been built by early pioneers at the Warracoota Ruins, see Journeys for more details.

Remember! When walking wear sun protection and sturdy shoes, carry plenty of water, and follow walk with care guidelines.

Driving

Explore pastoral relics and learn about the landscapes of the Cannel Country on the Warracoota circuit and Janets Leap lookout drive, see Journeys for more details.

Canoeing and kayaking

Bring your canoe or kayak and paddle in the peaceful permanent waterholes and seasonal lakes of the national park.

Viewing wildlife

Species lists are available from the Queensland Government's request a species list page.

A yellow-spotted monitor surveys its territory.

Photo credit: Courtesy Mark Lithgow

Crimson turkey bush Eremophila latrobei.

Photo credit: Courtesy Nella Lithgow

Permanent waterholes are a perfect place to photograph waterbirds at Diamantina.

Photo credit: Courtesy Nella Lithgow

Sandhill puncture vine provides splashes of bright yellow colour in the dunes.

Photo credit: Courtesy Nella Lithgow

Animals and birds

Diamantina's wildlife is highly diverse for arid Queensland, and animals found here include a number of rare and threatened species, including bilbies, kowaris, plains-wanderers, peregrine falcons, and two rare species of skink.

The park's large permanent waterholes attract many animals and are particularly good for birdwatching at dawn and dusk. While you are travelling around the park, keep an eye out for Hall's babblers, black falcons and oriental plovers.

Native long-haired rats are noted for periodic population explosions in channel country following exceptionally good rain or floods. In response, the rat's predators, such as inland taipans, letter-winged kites and eastern grass owls also increase in numbers.

Plants

The floodplains, braided channels and waterholes of the Diamantina River and its tributaries are lined with coolabahs, river red gums, lignum, blue bushes and grasses. Beyond the river flats are vast gibber plains and deep, cracking clay soils supporting grasslands dominated by Mitchell grass.

In the south-west, sandhills and claypans are dominated by cane grass communities, while stark limestone ranges in the park's centre support shrubland and grassland communities that are rare in the region.

Two rare Eremophila species—rock fuchsia bush and gypsum bush—are found in the park. To date, the gypsum bush has been recorded in only a few locations on and around Diamantina.

Trees such as lancewood, mountain yapunyah, Normanton box, red mallee and myall, although more typically found in greater numbers in other climatic regions, are also found here.

Other things to do

Photography

Capture Diamantina’s rich desert colours, diverse wildlife and beautiful flower displays as a souvenir of your visit.

Discovering cultural heritage

Diamantina National Park’s is of great importance to the Maiawali people, generations of families have been connected to this desert landscape for thousands of years. Remnants of settler history include the remains of Mayne Hotel, which closed in 1951 (located just near the eastern park boundary), stone hut ruins near Warracoota Waterhole and cemeteries. The 20 registered graves recorded in the park date from 1884 to 1944.

Displays in the Ranger Base visitor information room at the old Diamantina Homestead explain more about the park’s heritage.

We hope you enjoy your time at Diamantina National Park. Stay safe, travel softly and remember all things in the national park are protected including heritage sites and artefacts. Please leave everything as you find it.