Things to do

Red-winged parrot at Moorrinya National Park.

Photo credit: Brian Furby Collection

Squatter pigeons are often seen at Moorrinya National Park.

Photo credit: Brian Furby Collection

Male ornate burrowing frogs can often be heard in the wet season.

Photo credit: Eleanor Collins © Queensland Government

Listen for calling ruddy treefrogs.

Photo credit: Tony Salisbury © Queensland Government

Camping and accommodation

Camping

There are seven camp sites available at Shirley Shearing Shed camping area,  a composting toilet is the only facility. A camping permit is required and fees apply. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your camp site.

• Find out more about camping in Moorrinya National Park.
• Book your camp site online.
• If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.

Other accommodation

A range of accommodation, including hotels, camping and caravan parks, are available at Torrens Creek, Hughenden, Pentland and Charters Towers. For more information, see the tourism information links.

Walking

Bullock Creek Walk

Grade 3
Distance: 200m return
Time: allow 15min walking time
Details: Take a short stroll from the camping area to Bullock Creek, take care as the track is not formed or marked. Remember to follow the Parks and forests walk with care guidelines.

At the creek look for native fish including spangled perch Leiopotherapon unicolor, glassfish Ambassis sp. and silver catfish Plotosus argenteus. Waterbirds, such as the hoary-headed grebe Poliocephalus poliocephalus and Australasian darter Anhinga novaehollandiae, may be seen searching for food amongst the reeds. Shade is limited so try to walk in the cooler parts of the day.

Driving

Maps

• Moorrinya National Park map (PDF, 106.4KB)

Trail bikes and four-wheel-drives are allowed on Moorinya’s internal roads and firebreaks. Riders and drivers must be licensed, and trail bikes and vehicles must be fully registered. Vehicle access is not maintained within the stock route. Expect to share the roads with pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles.

Stay on formed roads—trail bikes and vehicles are not permitted off-road or on the walking track.

For more information, see trail-bike riding and four-wheel-driving.

Cycling

Maps

• Moorrinya National Park map (PDF, 106.4KB)

Cycle on Moorinya’s internal roads and firebreaks. Expect to share the roads with wildlife, pedestrians and vehicles.

Remember to follow the Parks and forests cycle with care guidelines.

Viewing wildlife

The park is popular with birdwatchers and nature lovers—165 bird, 40 reptile, 17 mammal, nine frog and seven fish species have been recorded in the park.

Red-winged parrots Aprosmictus erythropteru, pale headed rosellas Platycercus adscitus and sulphur-crested cockatoos Cacatua galerita are often seen near the camping area, especially at dawn and dusk.

During the day look for koalas Phascolarctos cinereus sleeping in the canopy, and eastern grey kangaroos Macropus giganteus, common wallaroos Macropus robustus and red kangaroos Macropus rufus seeking shade from the sun’s heat. Double-barred finches Taneiopygia bichenovii and chestnut-breasted mannikins Lonchura castaneothorax are often seen feeding on and near the ground, as are squatter pigeons Geophaps scripta.

At night listen for the ‘woof woof’ call of barking owls Ninox connivens and look for sugar gliders Petaurus breviceps soaring between trees. During the wet season the park comes alive with the sounds of frog calls. Listen for ornate burrowing frogs Platyplectrum ornatum, greenstripe frogs Cyclorana alboguttata, ruddy treefrogs Litoria rubella and northern laughing treefrogs Litoria rothi.