Visiting Mount Walsh safely

Getting there and getting around

• See Mount Walsh National Park map (PDF, 146.8KB)
• View Google map

The northern end of Mount Walsh National Park is approximately 5km south of Biggenden township, which is 83km west of Maryborough and 47km south-west of Childers. There are three entry points into Mount Walsh National Park—Mount Walsh day-use area, Waterfall Creek and Coongara Rock.

Mount Walsh day-use area

Turn off the Maryborough-Biggenden Road onto National Park Road—on the left 80km west of Maryborough; on the right 2km east of Biggenden. Travel a further 5.3km along the unsealed road to the day-use area. This road is suitable for two-wheel drive vehicles.

Waterfall Creek

Turn off the Maryborough–Biggenden Road onto Innooroolabar Road—on the left 60km west of Maryborough; on the right 22km east of Biggenden. Travel about 2.5km and then turn right onto the unsealed Utopia Road. Continue along this road for about 8km until you reach the Waterfall Creek car park. Utopia Road is a minor unsealed road that is suitable for two-wheel drive vehicles only in dry weather and can be impassable to four-wheel drive vehicles when wet.

Coongara Rock

Coongara Rock area is only accessible by high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicles. From Biggenden, travel west 7km along the Isis Highway. Turn left onto Lords Road and travel 14km to Coongara Rock parking area.

Wheelchair accessibility

There are no wheelchair accessible facilities or walking tracks in Mount Walsh National Park.

Staying safe

Walking wisely

Choose walks that suit the capabilities of your entire group.

• Never walk alone—at least one member of the group needs to be a competent map-reader and bushwalker. If something happens to you, someone in your group can go for help.
• Stay on track and obey all safety and warning signs
• Be aware the forest is criss-crossed with tracks made by wallabies, bandicoots and brush turkeys. It is easy to get lost if you leave the track.
• Help can be hours away.
• Let a responsible person know where you are going and when you expect to return and what to do if you don’t return. Remember to let them know if you change your plans.
• Plan to avoid exploring the park walking in the middle of the day, especially during hotter months.
• Avoid exploring the park during wet weather. Tracks and rock surfaces can be slippery, especially after rain.
• Carry enough drinking water and food.
• Carry a first-aid kit and know how to use it.
• Wear a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes with good grip. Carry a mobile phone. Be aware that phone reception is unreliable.
• For remote walking carry a topographic map, GPS and compass. A PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) is recommended.
• Explore in daylight hours only.

Rock pool safety

See Walk safely for further information when planning bushwalking experiences.

Fire safety

Wildfires are a threat to walkers, campers and the forest community. They can occur without warning, so be aware of and prepared for the dangers.

If it’s a hot, dry, windy day, or if there is a total fire ban avoid bushwalking. Before you visit Mount Walsh, go to the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services website for current fire bans within the North Burnett Regional Council.

In high fire danger conditions, trails and other areas may be closed. It is essential for your safety to follow the instructions on signs in these conditions.

In an emergency

• Call Triple Zero (000).
• Call 106 for a text-only message for deaf or speech or hearing impaired callers.

The nearest hospital is in Biggenden.

Emergencies do happen—be prepared and know your location at all times. Carry a fully-charged mobile phone. A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) could be the best emergency beacon in remote areas where mobile reception is not possible. Mobile phone coverage is not reliable in Mount Walsh National Park.

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

Before you visit

• Essentials to bring
• Essentials to know
• Opening hours
• Permits and fees
• Pets
• Climate and weather
• Fuel and supplies

Plan your trip carefully, be self-sufficient and ensure your vehicle is in good condition.

Essentials to bring

• Enough food and drinking water for your trip.
• Hat and sunscreen to prevent sunburn.
• Shoes with flexible soles and good grip.
• Rubbish bags to remove your rubbish from the park (bins are not provided).
• A first-aid kit and a fully charged mobile phone.
• If you plan to go remote bushwalking and camping or attempt the summit route also bring:
• A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)—in remote areas without phone reception it is essential if you become lost or injured.
• A topographic map, compass and other bushwalking equipment.
• Warm clothing and raincoats as rapid changes in temperature and weather are common.

Essentials to know

Communication devices

Mobile phone coverage is not reliable in Mount Walsh National Park, but it might be available in areas with high elevation.

A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) could be the best emergency beacon in remote areas where mobile reception is not possible.

Private property access

The entrance roads to Mount Walsh National Park pass through private property. Please respect private property.

• Keep to the track to stay off adjacent private property.
• Do not litter, disturb stock or damage fences.
• Obtain the owner’s permission before crossing or entering any private land.
• Leave gates as you find them.

Opening hours

Mount Walsh National Park is open 24 hours a day. For your safety, only walk in the daylight hours.

Permits and fees

Camping permits

Camping permits must be obtained prior to bush camping in the park. Camping fees apply.

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

Other permits

A special permit is not required for recreational activities in Mount Walsh National Park unless they are organised events or large scale competitive events. If an activity or visit to a protected area includes commercial photography or filming—that is, to sell photographs or film footage taken on a protected area or use photographs or footage in a product which will later be sold, such as a book or postcard—a permit must be obtained and a fee paid.

Pets

Domestic animals are not permitted in Mount Walsh National Park.

Climate and weather

The North Burnett area has a climate that is subtropical and sub-humid.

Winters are usually dry and cool; nights can be frosty with temperatures dropping to an average of 5°C. Summers are warm to very hot, especially on the exposed ridges, with temperatures reaching 32°C to 40°C; nights are cooler averaging 20°C to 25°C. Watch out for late spring and summer thunderstorms, which bring lightening and flash flooding. Most rain falls between October and March.

Always check the current weather forecast before you go.

Fuel and supplies

Fuel and supplies are available at Biggenden and Ban Ban Springs Roadhouse.

For more information see the tourism information links.