The Bunya Mountains is a spectacular wilderness range that rises dramatically from the surrounding plains north-west of Brisbane. Whether you are after action and fun or rest and relaxation, it has lots to offer families, couples and groups.
Getting to the national park is part of the adventure as you wind through picturesque farmland and quaint country towns such as Woodford, Kilcoy and Blackbutt. It is a scenic three hour drive from Brisbane, which makes it an easy weekend getaway or short stay holiday. Many people are surprised to learn it is the second oldest national park in Queensland but it’s real roots are much older than that. This natural wonderland was formed about 30 million years ago and shelters the largest forest of ancient bunya pines Araucaria bidwillii in the world today. Generations of Aboriginal people would travel long distances for feasts and celebrations that coincided with mass crops of bunya ‘nuts’.
The national park is an interesting mix of eucalypt forests, woodlands and subtropical rainforest, which makes it a refuge for ancient plants and native animals. It is home to about 215 species of birds and many mammals, frogs and reptiles. The local wallabies and brightly-coloured parrots are popular visitors to the public picnic areas. At 1100 metres, the Bunya Mountains offers a cool reprieve with temperatures up to seven degrees cooler than Brisbane. Its climate, many walking tracks, spectacular mountain scenery and abundant wildlife, make the park a serious drawcard for hikers, photographers, nature lovers and people wishing to escape the heat and hustle of the city.
Visitors are well catered for with numerous styles of accommodation from camping sites and budget lodges to mountain chalets and luxury holiday homes. In the local village there are cafes, restaurant, a general store, bottle shop and whisky bar. For local produce and handmade arts and crafts, the Bunya Mountains Markets are held the last Sunday of every month from 9am to 2pm.
The Bunya Mountains is a natural icon in south-east Queensland and a must-see destination waiting to be explored.
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