About Expedition

Park features

Expedition National Park is part of the Central Queensland Sandstone Belt. Most of the park is covered by dry eucalypt forest, the mature spotted gum forest being the only intact forest of this type. Mount Cannondale in the Amphitheatre contains one of the largest intact softwood scrub remnants in the central highlands. Patches of dry rainforest scrub grow in narrow side gorges and wildflowers flourish along the cliff tops.

For thousands of years, Aboriginal people lived in this area, leaving behind stencil art and other sacred sites. The explorer Ludwig Leichhardt passed through in 1844 during his journey to Port Essington near Darwin.

Robinson Gorge section

Scenic Robinson Gorge is one of the main features of Expedition National Park, located on the Expedition Range between Taroom and Rolleston. The gorge winds 14km between sheer sandstone cliffs up to 100m high. It begins as a broad shallow basin in the north and narrows to a deep pool and narrow gorge towards its southern end.

Lined with Dawson River palms (Livistona nitida) (a relic from the era of dinosaurs), bottlebrushes and wattles, this section of park is home to several rare plant species including Eucalyptus rubiginosa and Leucopogon grandiflorus.

Lonesome section

A former grazing property, Lonesome was gazetted in 1972 to protect scientific and aesthetic values. It lies along the edge of Carnarvon range and offers spectacular, panoramic views to the southern end of Arcadia Valley, Dawson River, the Carnarvon ranges and mountain spurs.

Brigalow, wilga, lancewood, bottlebrush, native bauhinia and riverine vegetation are prominent throughout Lonesome. One of the few remaining areas of brigalow growing in the red clay soils of the Arcadia Valley is protected within this park. 'The Candlesticks' form an impressive sandstone silhouette above the landscape of Lonesome.

Beilba section

Beilba section, also on the Carnarvon range border, preserves an important corridor along Dawson River to the north and Baffle Creek to the south. It protects an intact example of escarpment country.

Wildflowers provide splashes of colour throughout the park in late winter and spring. Plants to look for include grevilleas, flannel flowers, acacias, and pea flowers.

Gas companies drill for coal methane gas in the area. Please take care to avoid drilling sites.

Looking after the park

Parks and forests protect wonderful natural diversity and scenery. Help keep these places special by following these guidelines.

• Use a fuel stove. Open fires are permitted in Beilba and Starkvale camping areas with fire rings provided at Starkvale. Please observe any fire bans.
• Leave domestic animals at home. Pets disturb native wildlife and other campers.
• Leave all plants and animals undisturbed.
• Use toilets if available. Away from toilets, ensure all waste and toilet paper are properly buried (15cm deep) well away from tracks, campsites, watercourses and drainage channels (at least 100m away). Take disposable nappies and sanitary products out of the park and dispose of them appropriately.
• When washing cooking equipment, always wash at least 100m away from streams and lakes. Waterways should be kept free of all pollutants including soap, detergents, sunscreens and food scraps.
• Rubbish bins are not provided. Do not bury rubbish—take it with you when you leave as it may be uncovered by animals. This includes cigarette butts, which do not decompose.
• Do not bring firearms or other weapons into the park.

See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment.

Park management

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service manage Expedition National Park under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

Tourism information links

Taroom Information Centre
10 Yaldwyn Street
Taroom Qld 4420
ph (07) 4638 6113
email tourism@banana.qld.gov.au
www.sandstonewonders.com

Banana Shire
62 Valentine Plains Road
Biloela Qld 4715
ph (07) 4992 9500
email tourism@banana.qld.gov.au
www.sandstonewonders.com

Maranoa Regional Council
email tourism@maranoa.qld.gov.au
www.mymaranoa.org.au

Injune Information Centre
32 Hutton Street, Injune Qld 4415
ph (07) 4626 0503
email tourism@maranoa.qld.gov.au

Miles Museum and Visitor Information Centre
141 Murilla Street, Miles Qld 4415
ph (07) 4627 1492
email enquires@mhv.org.au

Theodore Information Centre
55A The Boulevard
Theodore Qld 4719
ph (07) 4993 1900

Rural Hinterland Information & Visitor Centre
11 Exhibition Avenue
Biloela Qld 4715
ph (07) 4992 2400
email rhvic@bigpond.com

Biloela Visitor Information Centre
Callide Street
Biloela Qld 4715
ph (07) 4992 2405
email biloelainfocentre@bigpond.com

For information on road conditions contact:

• RACQ (The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland)
• Department of Transport and Main Roads
• or phone 13 19 40.

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.