Visiting Kroombit Tops safely

Getting there and getting around

• Parks of Boyne Valley and surrounds (PDF, 1.3MB)
• Kroombit Tops National Park map (PDF, 477.1KB)

Major access routes are from Gladstone, Biloela, Monto or Ubobo. The type of vehicle you drive and the weather conditions will affect which access route you choose to get to Kroombit Tops.

Some access roads and vehicle tracks within the park require a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle and are unsuitable for towing trailers, camper trailers and caravans. Carefully read access details below to choose a route that is suitable for your vehicle and driving experience.

Always check weather forecasts and Park Alerts before visiting this park.

• Flash flooding occurs in this area. Vehicles have been washed off causeways in the Tableland Road area.
• Avoid visiting this park during rain or if rain is forecast. Roads become extremely slippery and difficult to navigate.

Conventional vehicle access

Conventional vehicle (2WD) access is only possible in dry conditions via the park's northern entrance along Tableland Road. Be aware that isolated rain showers can make gravel roads slippery.

Clewleys Gap Road is not suitable for conventional vehicles—2WD vehicles must exit the park via the same northern entrance on Tableland Road.

Tableland Road is not suitable for:

• any vehicles during wet conditions
• motorhomes and buses
• any vehicles towing large caravans,
• conventional vehicles (2WD) towing anything.

• From Gladstone (approximately 85km): travel south-west to Calliope, then follow the Dawson Highway south-west towards Biloela for 4km and turn left into Gladstone-Monto Road. Follow this road for 500m then turn right into Tableland Road. From here, it is a further 68km to the park boundary.
• From Ubobo (approximately 70km): take the unsealed Cedarvale Road west for 20km to Clifton Road. Head north for 25km (via Clifton Road and Diglum Road) then turn left into Tableland Road. From here, it is a further 25km to the park boundary.
• Tableland Road is a two-lane road until you enter the park. The road has steep sections with loose gravel and sheer drop-offs. As you climb the range within the park, the road narrows and has sharp, blind corners—there is a single lane bitumen section for the steepest part of the range. There are no turnaround options.

Park facilities accessible along Tableland Road are Griffith Creek camping area, Kroombit Tops lookout, Lookout walk , Escarpment track and Rainforest walk.

High clearance four-wheel-drive access

In addition to the northern access from Gladstone and Ubobo described above, high-clearance four-wheel-drive access is possible in dry weather conditions only from Monto (along Clewleys Gap Road) and from Biloela (along Razorback track):

• From Monto (approximately 66km): this route is suitable for high-clearance four-wheel-drives with off-road trailers and off-road campervans in dry conditions only. Travel 12km north along the Burnett Highway. Turn right into Cania Road and pass through Moonford. Turn right onto Wongalee Road and drive until you reach Clonmel Road. Follow Clonmel Road for about 20km and continue along Mahoon Creek Road for a further 20km before turning left and continuing to the park along Clewleys Gap Road and Tableland Road. There are steep sections with loose gravel, blind corners, sheer drop-offs and no turnaround options. Road surfaces are highly variable with loose rocky surfaces and eroded areas to navigate.

Clewleys Gap Road is not suitable for:

• any vehicles during wet conditions
• vehicles towing caravans
• motorhomes and buses
• conventional vehicles.

From Biloela (approximately 40km): this high-clearance four-wheel-drives route is unsuitable for towing trailers, campervans and caravans.  Near the Biloela Information Centre, turn off the Dawson Highway onto Callide Street, which becomes Valentine Plains Road. Follow this road for approximately 37km to the national park boundary and continue through the park for 27km on the Razorback Track—the park’s most isolated high-clearance 4WD track. This narrow track has blind spots, rocky creek crossings, extended steep ascents/descents, highly variable loose rocky surfaces and eroded areas to navigate. Caution is needed to avoid vehicle damage. Experience in driving in these conditions is essential. There are limited turnaround options. Drive in dry conditions only.

Four-wheel-drive tracks within the park

Bomber track (two-way traffic)—20km each way; allow 1hr each way

• Accessible only in dry weather conditions.
• High-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle required.
• Not suitable for towing.
• Most of the track is formed, undulating and hilly.
• Approaching The Wall day-use area, high clearance is needed for short, steep descents with rough, rocky sections and loose surfaces.
• Driving conditions vary with weather and vehicle traffic impacts.
• In dry conditions, the road can become powdery with sections of bulldust.
• Some four-wheel-driving experience required.

Ridge track (one-way traffic)—15km; allow 1hr (from The Wall day-use area to Bomber track junction)

• Accessible only in dry weather conditions.
• High-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle required.
• Not suitable for towing.
• Narrow, steep track with highly variable surface and eroded areas to navigate.
• Caution is needed to avoid vehicle damage.
• Driving conditions vary with weather and traffic impacts.
• In dry conditions, the road can become powdery with sections of bulldust.
• Experience driving in these conditions is essential.

Razorback track (two-way traffic)—27km; allow 2hr (between Valentine Plains Road park entry and Tableland Road)

• Accessible only in dry weather conditions.
• High-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle required.
• Not suitable for towing.
• Narrow track with blind spots, rocky creek crossings, extended steep ascents/descents, highly variable loose rocky surfaces and eroded areas to navigate.
• Caution is needed to avoid vehicle damage.
• Driving conditions vary with weather and vehicle traffic impacts.
• In dry conditions, the road can become powdery with sections of bulldust.
• Experience in driving in these conditions is essential.
• This is the park's most isolated high-clearance 4WD track.

Drive with caution!

• Be alert for other vehicles, especially on narrower and winding track sections.
• Approach corners cautiously and stay on your side of the road. Avoid sudden slowing as the vehicle may slide.
• Drive slowly—allow time to react to unexpected situations and changed conditions. Watch out for horses, cattle and wildlife close to or on the road.
• The Bicentennial National Trail shares some roads within the park—look out for horse riders, mountain-bike riders and walkers sharing the roads.
• Many roads are unsealed and impassable when wet. See Queensland Traffic—traffic and travel information (phone 13 19 40) to enquire about local road conditions.

Read more about four-wheel-driving safety.

Wheelchair accessibility

The Kroombit Tops lookout toilets are wheelchair accessible (assistance may be required). The car park is a gravel surface. Access to the toilet facility is over a hard gravel surface that is relatively flat and slightly uneven.

Staying safe

Whether you go for a short stroll or stay overnight, be self-sufficient and take care of yourself. Before you leave home make sure your vehicle is mechanically sound and suitable for the trip.

Read about walks and four-wheel-drive tracks to ensure you choose activities that are accessible for your vehicle type.

Print or download the Kroombit Tops National Park and track information map (PDF, 477.1KB) before you visit.

Before leaving home, check:

• Park alerts
• Weather forecasts Bureau of Meteorology.
  • Avoid visiting this park during rain or if rain is forecast.
  • In wet weather conditions, unsealed roads and tracks become impassable, extremely slippery and difficult to navigate. Flash flooding occurs in this area.
  • Beware of falling branches during strong winds and severe storms.
• Bushfire alerts and fire bans (wood fires are not permitted during fire bans)
• Road conditions Department of Transport and Main Roads

Mobile phone and emergency communications

Emergencies do happen—be prepared. Make sure you have packed suitable communication devices and keep track of your location when you are out in the park.

• Mobile phone coverage is not available in many areas of Kroombit Tops National Park.
• Reliable mobile phone reception areas are marked on the Kroombit Tops National Park map (PDF, 477.1KB) and on mobile phone totem signs located beside the road at these locations:
  • Kroombit Tops lookout
  • near The Barracks and 600m north of The Barracks at the end of the bitumen on Tableland Road
  • one reception point on the Bomber vehicle track
  • one reception point on the Razorback vehicle track
• Where there is no mobile coverage on any network, you will not be able to reach the Emergency Call Service via a mobile phone.
• Consider taking a satellite phone, personal locator beacon (PLB) or another form of communication.
• We highly recommend you visit the Triple Zero website before visiting the park.
• Download the Triple Zero emergency app—to help identify your location.
• If you are a UHF radio user, Channel 4 UHF repeater is available within the park.

In an emergency

• Call Triple Zero (000)
• Advise emergency services the nature of your emergency, your location and, stay on the phone until you are told to hang up.

Explore and walk safely

• Tell a responsible person where you are going and when you should return.
• Stay on marked tracks.
• Carry a first-aid kit and emergency communication device.
• Pack extra food and drinking water in case you take longer to return than expected.
• Keep clear of cliff edges. Walk in a group and make sure children do not run ahead.
• Wear sturdy shoes and suitable clothing to protect yourself from the sun, cold, bites and stings.

Wildlife safety

• Check yourself and children daily for ticks, often found in body creases. Follow the recommended method for tick removal.
• Leeches are common in wetter areas. Insect repellent on your socks helps keep them away. Remove them by pushing with your fingernail where they have attached. Some bleeding after removal is normal due to the anticoagulant in the leech bite, but there are usually no ill effects apart from an itchy bite-mark.
• Stinging trees can deliver an extremely painful sting—do not touch their leaves, including dead ones, or any part of the tree. Two species grow in Kroombit Tops’ rainforest—giant stinging tree Dendrocnide excelsa (recognisable by their very large, round leaves) and shining-leaved stinging tree Dendrocnide photinophylla (smaller elliptical shaped glossy leaves).
• Snakes generally retreat when encountered. If they feel threatened, they can become defensive. If you come across a snake, back away to a safe distance and allow the snake to move away. Know how to treat a snake bite.
• Never feed, handle or play with wildlife—you may get bitten or scratched, and animals can become aggressive towards people when fed.

Water Safety

• Never dive into creeks or rock pools, as they contain submerged rocks and logs. Water depth is unpredictable. Rock surfaces can be slippery.
• Tank and creek water is unsuitable for use without treatment.

Food and cooking safety

• Check if there are fire bans and never use a fire during a fire ban—check Park alerts.
• Take care with fire—use constructed fire-rings, keep your fire small, and never leave a fire unattended. Always supervise children closely.
• Make sure your fire is extinguished with water (not sand or dirt) before you leave it.
• Bring a portable fuel or gas stove.
• Avoid food poisoning—store food at appropriate temperatures.
• Store food safely in strong containers and out of reach of foraging wildlife.
• If you are using tank water, boil water for at least three minutes to kill most pathogens or use water treatment tablets.

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

Before you visit

Essentials to bring

• Enough water for all your drinking, cooking and cleaning.
• A first-aid kit (including snake bite bandages), sunscreen, insect repellent, sturdy shoes, hat, raincoat and suitable clothing for weather conditions. Be prepared for cool nights, especially in winter.
• Strong sealable containers or rubbish bags to store your food and your rubbish (to take it out of the park when you leave). Useful tip: remove excess packaging before you leave home.
• A portable fuel or gas stove.
• Clean cut firewood if you plan to use the camping area fire-rings (it is illegal to collect firewood from the national park). Always check for fire bans and use a fuel cooking stove when bans are in place—check Park Alerts.
• A mobile phone and, as reception is limited in the national park, consider taking a satellite phone, personal locator beacon (PLB) or another form of communication.
• A portable toilet to minimise pollution—dispose of toilet waste at the Griffiths Creek camping area dump point facility (off Tableland Road).
• A shovel or hand trowel for toileting away from your portable toilet—bury all toilet waste (and paper) 15cm deep and at least 100m from waterways, tracks and camp sites. A toilet is located at the Kroombit Tops lookout.

Opening hours

Kroombit Tops National Park is open 24 hours a day. For your safety walk and explore on vehicle tracks in daylight hours only.

Permits and fees

Camping permits are required and fees apply. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your camp site.

Be aware you must book your camping permit before you arrive. You cannot make a camping booking at the camping area—phone reception is very poor. Penalties apply for camping without a permit.

• Find out more about camping in Kroombit Tops National Park.
• Book your camping permit online.
• If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.

Other permits

Permits are required for all commercial activities or organised events within the park.

Pets

Domestic animals are not permitted in Kroombit Tops National Park, with the exception of horses along the Bicentennial National Trail.

Climate and weather

Temperatures at Kroombit Tops are generally 5ºC to 10ºC cooler than surrounding lowlands and can be quite cold in winter, especially at night.

Rainfall is higher than surrounding areas with most rain falling during summer. After heavy rainfall, check park alerts before visiting and Queensland Traffic—traffic and travel information (13 19 40) for road conditions.

Fuel and supplies

Fuel and supplies are available at Monto, Calliope, Biloela and Ubobo. For more information see the tourism information links.