📍Auburn River National Park: Comprehensive Guide To Walks, Gorges & Camping.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT AUBURN RIVER NATIONAL PARK?

In the southern part of Queensland’s North Burnett region lies one of the state’s most unforgettable places you’ve likely never heard about: Auburn River National Park. What makes this breathtaking landscape of outstanding ecological beauty the epitome of a hidden gem is its incredible terrain which features massive, soft-pink weatherworn boulders the result of millions of years of continual water erosion lining the banks of the namesake river creating one of the most rugged and visually striking river landscapes I’ve ever come across. And yet virtually no one knows about it. (I certainly didn’t until researching for this regional trip.)

Within the national park lie three walking trails showcasing different aspects of its unique geography. And while it can be accomplished in a day, it also has a rustic campground, perfect for making the most of an outdoor adventure to this remarkable place. Here’s a thorough rundown of what you can expect from a visit to this gorgeous boulder-strewn landscape.

1. Riverbed and Rock Pools Walk.
1.5km Return, Grade 4.

The highlight of Auburn River National is, undisputedly, the Riverbed and Rock Pools Walk. While it is only 1.5km return from the day-use area, this short, but challenging Grade 4 hike is as visually spectacular as they come. Heading down into the gorge, it leads to the northern banks of the national park’s namesake river where hikers can experience the magnificent rocky terrain up close and witness first-hand, the continuously evolving weathering processes that shaped the distinct grandiodite slab into the breathtaking boulder-strewn landscape it is today.

It is such an incredibly scenic walk that I highly recommend allotting more time to complete than what’s recommended because it is one of those places that is just so incredibly beautiful that you can’t help but want to stay and drink in it all in.

Note: Once you get to the river, there’s not much of a trail to follow. Some arrows on rocks point the way, but the parallel path of least resistance leads to a lovely boulder-top viewpoint, where you can’t easily go any further signifying the end of the track. It is also a good idea to look back to see where you can from as it might be hard to find your way to where the path came down to the rocks, and do so well before dark. Lastly, this trail will be slippery after rain.

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2. Gorge Top Walk.
3.2km Return, Grade 3.

At 3.2km return, the Gorge Top Walk is the national park’s longest trail. As the name suggests, it follows a fully formed gently undulating Grade 3 pathway through an open eucalypt forest along the top of the gorge to a breathtaking lookout showcasing a different section of the Auburn River’s incredible landscape, providing a clear elevated view of the rugged terrain that is best views after heavy rain.

It also provides a fantastic overview perspective of any birds that may be down at the river. Seeing the cormorants taking off and flying low over the water was a lovely sight to see.

3. Gorge Lookout Walk.
600m return, Grade 3.

The last of the three tracks is the Gorge Lookout Walk. Easily combinable with the Riverbed & Rockpools Track, this short and easy trail gives visitors a glimpse into the gorge with the impressive Giant’s Chair rock formation easily observable from here. The national park has been home to peregrine falcons for over 26 years, and their nest are the most easily detectable thanks to the “whitewash” markings on the cliff face, which are below the nest.

Where Is Auburn River National Park.

Auburn River National Park lies 420km northwest of Queensland’s capital, Brisbane, 225km west of the historical city of Maryborough, or 231km southwest of the rum capital of Australia, Bundaberg, in the beautiful North Burnett region.

How To Get To Auburn River National Park.

• Brisbane (Coastal Route): Head north along the Bruce Highway (A1) through the beautiful Sunshine Coast and into the Wide Bay Burnett regions, passing through Gympie before beginning the westward journey at Maryborough. Continue through Biggenden and Gayndah to reach Mundubbera. Once there, travel south out of town for 12km, and turn onto Hawkwood Drive, where after 20km, will be the final turnoff onto Auburn River Road to the National Park.
• Brisbane (Inland Route): Head west towards Toowoomba and Dalby along the Warrego Highway(A2). Once there, follow the Dalby-Jandowae Road(82) north out of town. At Durong, head north again along the Durong-Mundubbera Road. Twelve kilometres before reaching Mundubbera will be a sign for Auburn River National Park. Exit onto it and continue for 20km along Hawkwood Drive for the final turn-off to the national park.

Note: The last stretch to the national park is two-wheel drive accessible. However, Queensland National Parks recommends a 4WD in wet weather as the soil can become dangerous in those conditions.

Auburn River National Park is gorgeous to explore any time of year. However, Queensland National Parks says that the lookout at the end of the Gorge Top Walk is the most beautiful after heavy rain where the weather induces cascades to flow over the gorgeous boulder-strewn landscape.

However, visiting then has some caveats. The first is that while the road in and out is typically suitable for conventional vehicles, 4WDs are recommended after it has been raining, limiting access for some drivers. Secondly, if you are also doing the River & Rockpools walk which involves navigating stairs and boulders, wait until the rocks have had time to dry out with no rain is forecast as walking across them could prove slippery and hazardous.

The trees also provide little shade, so I suggest visiting in the cooler months. Even though I camped in mid-May, it wasn’t cold. I didn’t need to be rugged up, just a jacket for night and early morning.

Geography.

The geography of Auburn River National Park is unique. Buried soft pink-tinted long cooled molten magma granodiorite, a form of granite rock slowly pushed itself to the surface. Over time, the weathering effects of water eroded the surrounding soils allowing further expansions upward and for it to crack along fracture lines creating the jagged boulders, while the continual movement from river as it swirled between these lower layers crevices carved the higher layers into more smooth and rounded “eggs” forming the national park’s distinct rugged river landscape.

Along the banks of the river are bottlebrushes, leptospermum shrubs, stunted figs and open blue gum forest. The biodiverse-rich terrain is home to many birds, reptiles and mammals, such as peregrine falcons, which have been hanging around for over 26 years and the vulnerable brush-tailed rock wallaby, which lives in the habitats along the river.

Furthermore, the area around Auburn River National Park is susceptible to tremors with Queensland’s first one of record occurring at Dykehead Station in 1878, not far away.

Picnic Areas.

• The day-use area is a peaceful bush setting on the northern banks of the Auburn River, however, there are no views of the boulders-strewn river landscape from the picnic area.
• But a gentle 600m return walk to the Gorge Lookout is a lovely way to get a peek of it.
• Enjoy a meal cooked at the provided gas BBQ or a snack at the picnic tables under the shelter.
• The water tank has non-potable tap water which may be empty if the area has been absent of rain for a long time. Bring drinking water.
• There is a single non-flushing drop toilet.
• It is a short walk to the Auburn River Camping Area, which shares these facilities.

Things To Do.

• Hiking.
• Camping.
• Photography.
• Birdwatching.
• Picnic or BBQ.

Wildlife.

• Peregrine falcons have been living in the area for a recorded 26 years. Listen for their unmistakable screech.
• Look to the sky during the sunset hours for a chance to see the rare and endangered red goshawk.
• Nocturnal rufous bettongs are adorable smaller cousins of the kangaroos and wallabies, which can be seen bouncing around at night.
• In the morning or evenings, brush-tailed rock wallabies sun themselves. If you’re lucky, you may see one bounding up what seems like unpassable terrain!
• Small rainbow skinks love the boulders down at the river.
• Meanwhile, the nocturnal golden-tailed geckos enjoy sheltering under tree bark during the day.

Other.

• Old mining shafts reside within the park, so stay on the clearly defined walking tracks.
• Swimming in the river is allowed according to the official Queensland National Parks. However, with all the giant boulders around the place, getting down to water level is awkward, Plus, it is a sandy opaque brown, not making it the most inviting to go for a dip. Furthermore, you can’t see the bottom, even near the edges, so I wouldn’t advise doing so. If you do, never go in if it’s fast-flowing, especially after heavy rainfall.

Auburn River National Park provides a simple, rustic campground in a peaceful open eucalypt forest for those looking to get back to basics and immerse themselves in the serenity and ambience of this stunning place in the beautiful North Burnett region of Queensland, Australia.

• The small campground has five unassigned, unnumbered, gravel-surfaced sites, where the first party to arrive gets the pick of the place.
• Level parking areas that can fit two cars per campsite and a mown grassy area beside it are suitable for many setups including, car-side tent camping, campervans, motorhomes, caravans and camper trailers. Some sites may mean you may need to unhitch. I wouldn’t recommend going if you have a sizable rig.
• The foliage cover is also not very shady, so you may also want to use a shelter too.
• It shares facilities (bush toilet, picnic tables & gas BBQ) with the nearby day-use area, which is close enough and has all the walking trails starting from there you can easily leave your vehicle at the campsite and never need to move it.
• Each campsite has a fire ring, It is the only place fires are allowed unless there is an active fire ban. It is illegal to bring in or collect bush wood. Bring your own manufactured fuel (barbecue briquettes or imitation logs) or clean, milled timber off-cuts.
• Generators are permitted.
• Book online through the Queensland National Parks Website.

✔️ Pros.

• It is a very peaceful setting
• Within easy walking distance of the toilets, the picnic table and BBQ.
• I especially loved that because it is close to the day-use area and that all the walks start from there, so I never needed to move my car during my stay.

❌ Cons.

• Sites are reasonably close together, and the shrubbery is sparse, so it’s not the most private, so bring a screen if you want to feel more secluded.
• The foliage is not very shady, which is lovely in the cooler months, but I’d imagine it’d be less pleasant in the hotter seasons.
• No showers.

While you can complete this national park in a day, or just spend a night, I recommend spending two to do it at a gentle pace, which will allow you to walk all the trails, spot the animals that call this place home during the night and day, catch the sunrise and sunset, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon in a swaying hammock or cooking marshmellows over the fire at night.

Auburn River National Park is a spectacular hidden gem in Queensland’s North Burnett region thanks to its incredible geography and is somewhere no nature-lover should miss.

If you plan to visit the Auburn River National Park, consider looking at these other posts.