Location
Blackdown Tableland National Park
What it is?
Blackdown Tableland National Park sits in Queensland’s Central Highlands, about 170 km west of Rockhampton and close to Blackwater. This sandstone plateau rises sharply above the surrounding plains, offering a cool, scenic escape from the heat below. Visitors can explore waterfalls and rock pools at Rainbow Waters and Gudda Gumoo (Rainbow Falls), walk lookout tracks with sweeping views, and spot unusual wildlife and wildflowers, including many species found nowhere else. The park holds deep cultural significance for the Ghungalu people, its Traditional Owners, and is jointly managed with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Camping is available at Munall campground, with the road in best suited to careful driving.
What it offers?
Hiking – Blackdown Tableland National Park suits a range of fitness levels, with options from brief, gentle strolls to lookouts, creeks and cultural sites through to a half-day hike down into a gorge. You can find more details and maps HERE
Driving – Many parts of the park can be reached by two-wheel-drive vehicle if you take it slowly, though a four-wheel-drive is advised past Munall camping area. The Loop Road to Mitha Boongulla is rough and challenging, so it’s only for high-clearance 4WDs.
Camping – Yaddamen Dhina day-use area is a good first stop, with picnic tables, free gas barbecues, accessible toilets and a nearby information shelter. There are no bins, so pack out whatever you bring in.
Wildlife – The park is also a great place for wildlife. Staying at Munall camping area puts you among kingfishers, cockatoos, robins and treecreepers, while falcons, eagles and goshawks patrol the cliffs and heathland birds like honeyeaters and thornbills turn up elsewhere. During the day, skinks, geckos and goannas sun themselves on rocky ledges, and after dark you might spot gliders, powerful owls and bats if you carry a torch.
Munall is close to several popular walks, but spots are limited and in high demand, so book ahead HERE. Camping permits and fees apply, and your tag or booking details must be displayed at your site.
Wheelchair Access?
May require assistance.
The campground toilets are wheelchair accessible.
What we did?
We only had a 2WD at this stage, and we were able to access the park without any issues. The Loop Road to Mitha Boongulla was closed at the time of our visit; I am not sure why, so maybe check for closures before you depart if this is something you are interested in doing.
We parked our car and camper trailer at the campground and headed off to the Gudda Gumoo Gorge. This walk is classified as a Grade 3 and has over 240 stairs. When you reach the bottom, you will find a beautiful swimming hole that sits beneath Rainbow Falls. We did not have swimmers or a towel, but that did not stop us; it was too inviting! Allow 2 hours for the hike and another 2 hours to explore and swim at the bottom; you could consider taking down a picnic lunch and spending a bit more time down there.
Remember to allow time to get back to the car before dark if that is something that concerns you, or ensure you have a head torch with you.
The next morning on our way back to Emerald, we checked out the area surrounding Blackwater and Comet, including the Bedford Weir, the Comet River and Leichhardt DIG Tree. The Weir area had so many bugs that we could not stand outside the car long enough to check out the area. We drove through the camping area, which looked ok, except for the bugs. I would not bother driving down to the Comet River; you can see what it looked like in the photos.
Highlight?
The waterfall (Rainbow Falls) and swimming hole at the bottom of the Gudda Gumoo Gorge.
Would I do it again?
The waterfall hike, 100%.
Comet and the Weir: no.
What do you need?
As a couple: Pre-downloaded maps on your phone (reception is patchy); water bottles; stainless steel coffee cup; healthy snacks for the trails; wide-brimmed hat; sunscreen; bug spray; good sturdy shoes; swimmers and towels; umbrella for sun/rain; jacket; picnic and picnic blanket.
If you wanted to stay at the campground, you will need a Queensland Parks permit, a tent, camper or van, and food.
With Kids: water; snacks; wide brim hat; sunscreen; bug spray; good sturdy shoes.
With Pets: not allowed, as it is a National Park
Yearly Events
- Event Name: Updown Blackdown Trail Run / Mountain Bike Event
- Location: Blackdown Tableland National Park (between Blackwater and Dingo, Central Queensland)
- Courses: Primarily on fire trails with minimal single track and short road sections
- Distances: Trail runs include 9.6K, 30K, and 50K ultra distances
- Schedule: Held annually; specific upcoming dates are updated directly on the Running Calendar Event Page.