Things to do

Camping and accommodation

Camping is not available in Joseph Banks Conservation Park. Camping is available nearby in Eurimbula National Park and Deepwater National Park.

Other accommodation

Hotel, bed and breakfast and caravan park accommodation is available at Seventeen Seventy, Agnes Water, Miriam Vale and Bundaberg.

For more information see the tourism information links.

• Joseph Banks Conservation Park map (PDF, 116.5KB)

Walking tracks explore the forests and headlands of Joseph Banks Conservation Park.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

The 1.2km Round Hill Creek track has shady and undulating sections.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

The headland, Joseph Banks Conservation Park.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

The Round Hill Creek track offers stunning views across Bustard Bay to Eurimbula National Park.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

Walking

Enjoy the natural beauty of this picturesque coastal park with spectacular views of the coast and hinterland from two lookouts located on the headland.

There are three walking tracks and they are all relatively short, Grade 3 walking tracks.

Round Hill Creek track

Grade 3

Distance: 1.2km one way
Time: 40min
Details: take a relaxing walk through sheltered valleys, across freshwater creeks, and along the headland’s she-oak and wattle covered ridges. There are views of Bustard Bay to the west. Ground springs along the sheltered western valleys feed rainforest groves of Alexandra palms Archontophoenix alexandrae.

Walks from Round Hill Headland

Explore this high headland and enjoy the lookout views. Look for birds of prey soaring above—ospreys and white-bellied sea-eagles are often seen here. These skilled hunters scan the water and headland from great heights and swoop down to catch fish, turtles, sea snakes, mammals and other smaller birds.

Caution! Stay on the track and keep well clear of cliff edges:

• Uneven and crumbling cliff edges can be dangerous.
• Supervise children at all times. Never let children run ahead of you.

Wave lookout

Grade 3

Distance: 100m one way
Time: allow 10min
Details: enjoy magnificent views from a platform overlooking a small rocky bay. Plants grow low around the cliffs—growth is influenced by strong winds, salt spray and erosion.

Bustard Bay lookout

Grade 3

Distance: 300m one way
Time: allow about 15min
Details: absorb panoramic views from the tip of the headland. Coastal beach scrub closes around you and partly shades the track. A viewing platform offers distant views to Bustard Bay.

Day-use areas

Picnic facilities and toilets are provided just outside Joseph Banks Conservation Park on the foreshore at Seventeen Seventy.

Boating

The coastal waters adjacent to Joseph Banks Conservation Park are within the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park. Please ensure you are aware of the marine park zones and their restrictions before you go boating.

Explore Round Hill Creek and Eurimbula Creek by boat or canoe at high tide. Care must be taken as the creek has a flat sandy bottom with a broadly meandering channel that is not navigable at low tide.

Boat ramps are located at the Seventeen Seventy marina on Round Hill Creek.

Fishing

Coastal areas bordering the park are part of the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park—make sure you know the zones. For detailed zoning maps and information visit the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

Crabbing is not permitted in Eurimbula Creek. For details visit the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

On the beach, all refuse from fish cleaning, including offal, scales and unused bait, should be buried at least 30cm deep, below the high tide line.

Viewing wildlife and wildflowers

• Bring your binoculars and a bird field guide to help you identify birdlife.
• Watch for marine turtles and dolphins in the clear aquamarine waters below the lookout.
• See the occasional migrating humpback whale offshore.
• Explore plant communities—windswept tussock grasslands; small patches of dry vine forest; and low woodlands with she-oaks, pandanus, acacias, banksias and eucalypts.

Read more about the park's nature, culture, history.