National Parks
Beautiful lush mainland national parks & glorious ocean national parks are accessible along the Capricorn Coast.
Discover Unlimited Beauty
Lush mainland national parks with unique flora found no where else in the world. Glorious water land national parks where dugongs nurse
≈ Capricorn Coast National Park ≈
Covering about 114 hectares, amalgamated into a single national park in 1994, the four of six Capricorn Coast National Park sections are open to visitors—Double Head, Rosslyn Head, Bluff Point and Cocoanut Point. There is no formal access to Rosslyn Head section but the area may be accessed on foot.
From Yeppoon, travel south along the Scenic Highway. Double Head and Rosslyn Head sections are very close to the Rosslyn Bay Marina and are accessed via John Howes Drive. Continue south along the Scenic Highway to the signed turnoff for Bluff Point section. Cocoanut Point section is the most southerly section and accessed via Reef Street, Emu Park.
Park features
Rocky outcrops are a prominent feature of the Capricorn Coast. Formed in the late Cretaceous era between 79 and 73 million years ago when lava forced through outer layers of rock, these trachyte plugs now provide visitors with scenic viewpoints out to the Keppel Bay islands and the coastal hinterlands. The six coastal reserves of Capricorn Coast National Park also protect a wide range of coastal plant communities including heathlands, open eucalypt forest, vine thickets and open tussock grasslands. Each of the four sections open to visitors has something different to offer.
Double Head Section adjoins Rosslyn Bay Harbour and protects vine thicket with overhanging fig trees, windswept and stunted scrubland and open tussock grassland with grass trees. Bird’s eye views over the harbour and a close-up of Fan Rock—the core of an old volcano—are two must-see features of this section.
Rosslyn Head Section located between Statute Bay and Kemp Beach protects eucalypt forests and coastal sand dune heath and features a rocky headland rising 60 m above sea level.
Bluff Point Section at the southern end of Kemp Beach is a popular picnic spot with the superb coastal scenery. It features a range of coastal vegetation from mangroves and heathlands to open eucalypt forests and tussock grasslands and is the largest trachyte plug on the Capricorn Coast. Two lookout points are perfect for spotting marine life below and enjoying cool sea breezes, while the walk provides marvellous views of the hinterland.
Cocoanut Point Section was added to Capricorn Coast National Park in 2006 and protects vine thickets with a heath understorey.
Double Head and Bluff Point sections feature formed walking tracks through sunny grasslands and shady forests to coastal lookouts. You may also walk through Cocoanut Point and Rosslyn Head sections, however, there are no formal walking tracks provided. See our Walking Tracks page for more information.
≈ BAGA – Mount Jim Crow National Park ≈
29 km north-east of Rockhampton, about halfway along the Rockhampton – Yeppoon Road. Mount Jim Crow and its carpark are easily visible as you travel east along Yeppoon Road.
Wheelchair accessibility
There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities in the national park.
Park features
The park protects the impressive Mount Jim Crow, a prominent feature towering over the landscape and obvious to commuters and travellers who pass by on the road below.
The mountain itself is a 221 m high trachyte plug – an internal remnant of a long extinct volcano. It was formed over 70 million years ago when basaltic lava solidified under a volcano. Over time, erosion has worn away the volcano’s upper parts, leaving behind the resistant trachyte as a rugged peak. Mount Jim Crow is part of a group of about 12 volcanic plugs in the area, known collectively as the Mount Hedlow trachyte. These plugs are unique as they are the only trachyte plugs in Australia to support hoop pine communities.
The 144 ha park’s south-west boundary adjoins Hedlow Creek which has several permanent lagoons covered with waterlilies. These lagoons provide the best opportunity to see much of the park’s wildlife. At dusk noisy friarbirds, striated pardalotes, squawking rainbow lorikeets and Lewin’s honeyeaters can be seen drinking.
Mount Jim Crow National Park has a unique history of human use and exploitation. The park was once used for stone quarrying and was also a storage area for United States Army supplies during World War II.
The mountain holds particular significance to the Darumbal Aboriginal people—a Dreaming legend tells the story of its creation by the rainbow serpent:
In the Dreamtime long ago, a boy and a girl from the tribe fell in love and wanted to marry. The old people were distraught as it was against the tribal code to marry someone from the same totem. The couple took no notice, running away to hide in the flat scrub of what is now Mount Jim Crow. The rainbow serpent, or Moomdagytta, sitting up on Mount Wheeler (to the south-east) saw the dilemma and decided to intervene. He spun himself around between the girl and boy with such force, bringing up trees and dirt until a mountain appeared separating the couple. His powers frightened the couple and from then on they abided by the tribal code.
Camping
Camping is not permitted in Mount Jim Crow National Park.
Picnic and day-use areas
Please be aware that Mount Jim Crow National Park is largely undeveloped and facilities are not provided.
Walking
There are no signed or formed walking tracks. Scrambling up the mountain’s rocky scree slopes and cliffs are dangerous and not recommended.
Essentials to bring
Enjoy your visit by remembering to bring:
- a first-aid kit
- insect repellent
- sun protection
- plenty of drinking water.
≈ Byfield National Park ≈
The outstanding coastal scenery, massive sand dunes, rugged pinnacles and remote camping opportunities are highlights of a visit to Byfield National Park and Byfield Conservation Park.
Picturesque recreation areas surrounded by rainforest-edged creeks, rugged mountains, pine plantations and ancient cycads are highlights of a visit to Byfield State Forest.
Park features
Download the Byfield area parks and forest visitors guide in the above images for all the information on the Byfield National Park. Here’s a handy map also.
≈ Shoalwater Bay Regional Park ≈
The park protects picturesque sandy beaches, fringing coral reefs, intertidal mudflats, sandflats, mangrove forests and melaleuca woodlands.
Camping and accommodation
Shoalwater Bay Regional Park is 18kms south, south-east of Stanage Bay by boat. Access to the park is only by boat.
Driving
Shoalwater Bay Regional Park is only accessible by boat.
Boating and Fishing
The adjacent waters offer ample boating and fishing opportunities. Refer to a marine zoning map before you set out. Zoning regulations specify how you can use particular sites and the permits you might require. For detailed information on activities such as fishing and crabbing, consult the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority zoning map. Maps are available from Queensland Fisheries, bait and tackle shops, Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing (NPSR) offices and online at Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
Fisheries regulations apply—information on bag and size limits, restricted species and seasonal closures is available from Fisheries Queensland.
Essentials to bring
It is recommended you bring:
- sufficient food and water
- navigational and marine zoning maps
- fuel stove and fuel
- insect repellent and sunscreen
- sun smart clothing and sturdy footwear
- first aid kit—and know how to use it
- strong rubbish bags—bins are not provided.
Permits and fees
Camping permits are required and fees apply. A camping tag with your booking number must be displayed at your campsite.
Find out more about camping in Shoalwater Bay Regional Park.
Shoalwater and Corio Bays Area Ramsar internationally important wetland
Follow this link to glean a bit more info on the wetlands. The page contains direct links to information specific to the Shoalwater and Corio Bays Area Ramsar Site. Many wetland types are found in the Shoalwater Bay and Corio Bay area.
