16 national parks you have never heard of - but should make plans to visit

Stalking the coastline from Innisfail to Gordonvale south of Cairns, Wooroonooran National Park is a haven for adventure seekers. It’s home to gushing waterfalls, foresty foothills, wild rivers, and mountainous peaks, including Queensland’s highest, Mount Bartle Frere.

Making up a huge portion of the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics (one of the oldest living rainforests in the world), this is an oasis come summertime, with freshwater swimming holes hiding deep within its greenery.

For the serious hikers, Queensland’s two highest peaks – Mount Bartle Frere and Bellenden Kerr – await, along with the historic Goldfield Trail and Walsh's Pyramid.

For a less strenuous day out, cool down at Babinda Boulders, where the crystal waters of Babinda Creek weave their way between huge boulders to create large swimming pools.

2. Mount Hypipamee National Park

The term ‘green like you’ve never seen’ isn’t thrown around in our tropical north for no good reason. You really do have to see Mount Hypipamee National Park, hidden in the Atherton Tablelands, to believe it exists.

While it might be smaller than its flanking national parks, Mount Hypipamee packs a pretty incredible sight, thanks to a diatreme, or volcanic pipe, which was thought to have been created by a massive gas explosion. The core takes the form of The Crater, a deep-set lake covered by a striking green layer of native waterweed. For a glimpse, follow the easy 30-minute Crater walking track to the viewing platform, before heading back along the Dinner Falls circuit for a dip.

3. Girringun National Park

You’re going to need more than a day trip if you want to truly immerse yourself in the glory of Girringun National Park.

Comprising of five different sections from Cardwell down to Townsville, Girringun is known as the site of Australia’s highest permanent single-drop waterfall, Wallaman Falls. The views from the top will take your breath away, but don't leave before hiking to the base: the rush of mist and power of the falls is unmatched from below.

For a more serene soak, be sure to stop by Cardwell Spa Pool. The minerals in these waters create a divine, milky-blue colour under certain sunlight, and it's a special spot to take pause within the rainforest. The pool is seasonal, with May to September providing the best water levels, while at other times it can be too dry to swim. The Cardwell Visitor & Heritage Centre is happy to help with your questions about water levels at the Spa Pool as well as suggestions for other great things to do while you’re visiting.

4. Blackdown Tableland National Park

Good things come to those who get off the beaten track – and it couldn’t be truer than at little-known Blackdown Tableland National Park in Capricorn. Around 2.5 hours’ drive from Rockhampton, on the traditional land of the Ghungalu People, Blackdown Tableland is filled with gorges, lookouts over sandstone escarpments, scenic waterfalls and rock faces displaying traditional Ghungalu artwork.

Walk the 4km return Gudda Gumoo track to find some of Australia’s most inviting natural rock pools – but be warned, the water can be chilly! Be sure to stay a while to discover the national park’s other highlights, like Aboriginal rock art along the Mimosa Creek Cultural Trail and Goon Goon Dhina track, a 2.5km circuit from Munall Camping Area.

Use this guide to plan your visit.

5. Eungella National Park

Translating to ‘land of the clouds’ in the local Aboriginal language, Eungella National Park will make you believe magic truly exists.

Often shrouded in mist, the cool, sub-tropical rainforest sits 1.5 hours west of Mackay in the highlands and is a frequent retreat for locals and visitors, with over 20km of walking tracks ranging from easy 30-minute strolls to a full day hike. Eungella National Park is also one of the best places to spot the elusive platypus in the wild with the viewing platforms along Broken River providing the best vantage points - unless you gear up and go scuba diving among the rainforest.

Serious hikers will need no introduction to this park, as it’s the starting point of the Mackay Highlands Great Walk – a mammoth 56km trek that takes roughly three to five days to walk.

6. Undara Volcanic National Park

How many people can say they’ve been to a national park with 164 volcanos? Well, once you’ve visited Undara Volcanic National Park in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef, you can.

Formed by a large volcanic eruption approximately 190,000 years ago, the molten lava cooled and formed a hard crust, leaving behind a series of hollow tubes. Amazingly, the semi-evergreen dry rainforest has grown in the moist and sheltered entrances to the lava caves, ideal for wildlife and vegetation. Today, the lava tubes at Undara are one of the oldest standing lava tubes in the world.

You can get acquainted with this natural wonder with Undara Experience: there's tours that offer perspectives of the park by day and night, plus incredible bush accommodation to stay amongst it all. 

Use this guide to plan your visit. 

7. Girraween National Park

Located just outside of Stanthorpe in Queensland Country, Girraween National Park is the place to go if you can’t decide between a leisurely stroll through the wildflowers or to set off on an adventurous day hike through towering granite formations. The choice is yours.

The signature peak in the park is The Pyramid, a bald steep climb to spectacular views and balancing rocks. Hike the trails to The Sphinx and Turtle Rock in time for sunset and you'll spot wallabies, kangaroos and echidnas along the way.

This is the perfect spot for an evening picnic underneath a blanket of stars. Or, head back into town where the restaurants and cellar doors of the Granite Belt wine region await. 

8. Conondale National Park

Seeking a new adventure on the Sunshine Coast? Head west of popular national parks like the Glass House Mountains or Kondalilla to reach the magnificent Conondale National Park.

Heads up: high-clearance 4WD vehicles are needed to reach the day-use and camping areas, as all park roads require multiple creek crossings. But you’ll also find locals love to leave their cars at the park’s entrance and hike to hinterland happiness – granted, it’s a good couple of kilometres extra on top of the walking tracks of the actual park itself.

Conondale is home to many hiking trails, most notably the Conondale Range Great Walk.  It’s a challenging four-day, 56-km circuit through heavily forested valleys and ridges of both the Conondale National Park and Kenilworth Forest Reserve.

But there's also a range of easy tracks strewn throughout the open rainforest. The most popular is the trail to Booloumba Falls, frequented by many hikers keen to cool off in the refreshing pool at the base of the falls.

9. Diamantina National Park

It might be 20 hours' drive from the coast, but Diamantina National Park is worth it.

Heading south from Winton or Boulia, north from Windorah or east from Bedourie, this is outback terrain at its finest: rich red desert, stark limestone ranges, sandhills and unexpected glimpses of colour from bright flora and fauna lining the floodplains, braided channels and waterholes.

While the drive out to Diamantina is a journey in itself, there are two tracks worth exploring when you get here: the Warracoota Circuit and Janets Leap, lookout for a bird’s-eye view of Diamantina Gates.

You’re going to need to load the 4WD with everything you need and then some, because camping out this ways requires you to be completely self-sufficient. Watching the clear, starry night sky from here is more than worth the adventure. 

10. Main Range National Park

Set in the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests of the Scenic Rim, around 90 minutes’ drive south of Brisbane, Main Range National Park boasts rushing waterfalls and distinctive mountain peaks, remnants of the ancient Focal Peak Shield Volcano which erupted 24 million years ago.

This national park has something for every explorer – the easy but spectacular walk to the base of Queen Mary Falls, rugged treks to icons like The Steamers or Lincoln Bomber wreck on Mount Superbus, or the multi-day trek along Scenic Rim Trail, where you can choose to forgo pitching a tent and instead retreat into Spicer’s luxury eco-accommodation at each day’s end.

11. Paluma Range National Park

When humidity hits, head for the misty mountains outside of Townsville to immerse yourself in nature’s playground, where wild swimming holes, natural rock slides, and cool waterfalls are surrounded by ancient rainforest.

Paluma Range National Park is considered the southern entrance to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, and ideal for waterfall-hopping. Set off on a hike to explore Jourama Falls or more hidden Ethel Creek Falls, picnic and dip at Little Crystal Creek, and stay a while at Hidden Valley Cabins to make the most of your nature escape. Mountain bikers should time a visit for the annual Paluma Push, where action-packed competition meets festival fun.

While you’re here, check out these nearby national parks. 

12. Carnarvon National Park

Deep in our Sandstone Wilderness, around 3.5 hours drive from Roma, is Carnarvon National Park. You've probably heard of its most famous resident, the epic Carnarvon Gorge. However, many don't know there are three more sections which make up the rugged ranges of Queensland’s central highlands: Ka Ka Mundi, Mount Moffat, and Salvator Rosa. 

Each section has its own unique quirks and sights. Ka Ka Mundi has more than 30km of sandstone escarpments and plateaus to discover, Mount Moffat the highest plateau in Queensland and significant Aboriginal rock art, and Salvator Rosa’s crystal-clear springs add more than 10 million litres of water a day to the peaceful Louisa Creek and Nogoa River.

Depending on what kind of experience you’re after, whether it’s wilderness seeking or more relaxed exploring and camping with the clan, it’s best to do a bit of research before making your way inland. If this is your first visit, be sure to hike through Carnarvon Gorge too. 

Use this guide to start planning.

13. Crows Nest National Park

Discover the little slice of national park paradise under an hours' drive north of Toowoomba. Crows Nest is understatedly beautiful, with refreshing swimming holes and relaxing walks navigating through the park’s granite outcrops and eucalypt forest.

Take the 2km walk to the lookout to witness water tumbling over the 20m-high granite cliffs at Crows Nest Falls (along the way make sure you stop in for a dip at these freshwater pools). But for the pièce de résistance, keep following the track to Koonin Lookout, where spectacular views out over the gorge - known as the Valley of Diamonds - and distant hills around Ravensbourne await.

14. Porcupine Gorge National Park

Up for an epic adventure? Road-trip west from Townsville along Overlanders Way to get a taste of the true outback – and find an outback oasis along the way.  

Around an hour’s drive from Hughenden, Porcupine Gorge National Park has been dubbed Queensland’s ‘Little Grand Canyon’. Its impressive canyon with ancient fossils etched into its walls, towering sandstone cliffs, permanent waterholes and thriving vegetation are a stark contrast to the surrounding outback landscape – and you can sleep among it all at Pyramid camping area.

A scenic heli flight is one of the most mesmerising ways to take in the sights and soar over parts of the park that are inaccessible to visitors, while the lookout and several hiking trails will lead you through this natural, living museum – keep your eyes peeled for new discoveries.

Use this guide to plan your visit. 

15. Mount Walsh National Park

Want to discover an under-the-radar part of Bundaberg? Venture 80 minutes’ south to Mount Walsh National Park, a haven for hikers and adventure-seekers.

Dominated by spectacular exposed granite cliffs and rock formations, experienced hikers (with scrambling experience, bush navigation skills and without a fear of heights) should set their sights on the grand Mount Walsh summit track, soaring 86 storeys above the scrub. 

If you prefer to take in scenery without the sweat, picnic below at The Bluff Mount or pack your swimmers for the 3km Rock Pool Walk, which winds through hoop pine forest before following the creek sprinkled with rock pools and swimming holes. 

16. Chillagoe-Mungo National Park

400-million year-old limestone caves probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Cairns & Great Barrier Reef, but Queensland is full of surprises – and natural wonders, too.

Located two hours’ drive south west of Cairns, Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park holds important natural and cultural significance, home to mind-bending rock formations and caverns, and Aboriginal rock art galleries.

Ranger guided tours inside Donna, Trezkinn and Royal Arch caves operate daily, showcasing the magnificent hanging stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones that have formed due to dissolving limestone, land that was once a shallow sea. Hikers can explore the 9km return track to Royal Arch bluff or the 440m return to Balancing Rock on their own. 

Ready to explore? Queensland's great outdoors is open to everyone, whether you're a beginner camper, ready to tackle a Great Walk, or have grand plans to visit each of the five UNESCO World Heritage Sites found in this spectacular state.