Visiting Girraween safely

Balancing Rock.

Photo credit: Jolene Nelson © Queensland Government

Getting there and getting around

• Girraween National Park map (PDF, 275.0KB)

Girraween is situated approximately 260km by road south-west of Brisbane. To reach the park, turn off the New England Highway 26km south of Stanthorpe or 30km north of Tenterfield. The winding bitumen road continues a further 9km east through the Wyberba Valley to the park information centre.

The alternative road from Stanthorpe to Girraween via Eukey and Storm King Dam has some gravel sections.

Wheelchair accessibility

The Castle Rock camping area amenities block and the Bald Rock Creek day-use area facilities are suitable for visitors in wheelchairs. Facilities for persons with a disability have also been installed in the Kambuwal and Terrawambella camping areas.

Staying safe

Your safety is our concern but your responsibility.

• Choose walks that suit the capabilities of your entire group.
• Stay together and keep on designated walking tracks. Always supervise children.
• Read all signs. Signs at every track entrance indicate the distance, degree of difficulty, duration of walks and any necessary precautions.
• Be very careful in rainy and windy conditions; granite rocks become extremely slippery when wet.
• Decomposed granite can also be slippery.
• When descending steep rock slopes, go slowly and take small steps.
• Stay well back from edges of rock faces.
• Wear a hat, sunscreen, comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes with good grip.
• Take a basic first-aid kit.
• Always carry drinking water.
• Never dive or jump into Bald Rock Creek. Variable water depths, submerged rocks and logs, and fast-flowing water combine to make this activity extremely dangerous.

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

In an emergency

In case of emergency:

• Call Triple Zero (000).
• Download the Triple Zero emergency app—to help identify your location.
• Call 106 for a text-only message service for deaf, speech, or hearing-impaired people.
• Advise the location and nature of the emergency.
• Stay on the phone until you are told to hang up.

The nearest hospital is located at Stanthorpe. Mobile phone coverage is not reliable in Girraween National Park but may be possible in areas with high elevation or towards the New England Highway. There is a public phone situated in the car park of the Girraween Visitor Centre.

Full moon over granite - be prepared for cold nights at Girraween.

Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government

Before you visit

Essentials to bring

Bring warm clothing and sturdy footwear, and be prepared for cold changes in the weather at any time. Winter nights can reach -8°C but are on average a minimum of 1°C. Summer days are warm (25–30°C) with cool nights averaging 15°C.

Rubbish bins are not provided. Please bring rubbish bags, and take all recyclables and rubbish with you when you leave.

Electric barbecues are provided in the day-use area. Preferably use fuel or gas stoves when camping. Some camping areas provide fire rings or wood-fired barbecues, please bring your own wood. Firewood can be purchased from nearby towns. Never collect wood from the bush. Take care with fire, keep your fires below the grate and make sure your fire is out before you leave it, especially during hot or windy conditions. Either leave your ash in the barbeque or take it with you. Do not dump it in the bush.

Bring your camera and binoculars for viewing wildlife. A torch, preferably with a red filter to protect animals' eyes, is useful for spotlighting at night.

• See also the frequently asked questions for this park.

Opening hours

Girraween National Park is open 24 hours a day. The Girraween National Park Visitor Information Centre is usually open 7 days a week during office hours, park duties permitting.

Permits and fees

To camp in the national park a permit is required and fees apply. Permits must be pre-booked and it advisable to book in advance for school holidays and long weekends. Camping fees must be paid before you camp overnight.

• Bookings are accepted only when accompanied by the appropriate fee.
• If you wish to extend your stay, another booking must be made.
• Book your campsite online.
• If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.
• Camping bookings cannot be made in person at the visitor centre or in the camping areas.

Pets

Domestic animals are not permitted in Girraween National Park.

Climate and weather

Not far from the Queensland–New South Wales border, Girraween National Park has more in common with cooler southern climes than with the Sunshine State. Crisp winter weather provides skies of blue and picturesque morning frosts. Spring conditions entice an amazing display of wildflowers and wildlife.

Be prepared for cold changes any time. Girraween National Park is pleasantly cool most of the year round. Winters are usually dry and cold with frosty nights reaching an average minimum of 1°C. Summers days are a warm 25–30°C with cooler nights averaging 15°C. Most rain falls between November and March with an average annual rainfall of 850mm per year.

For more information see the tourism information links.

Fuel and supplies

Fuel and supplies are available at Stanthorpe and Tenterfield with limited supplies and fuel at Ballandean and Wallangarra. For more information see the tourism information links.