About Dalrymple

Burdekin River, Dalrymple National Park.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

Park features

Dalrymple National Park features some unique features of the Charters Towers region including ancient lava flows and the Burdekin River, the largest river in Queensland.

Mount Keelbottom can be seen rising 130m above the surrounding plain.

Part of the old Dalrymple township site can be found in the national park. It was one of the first inland settlements in northern Australia.

Read more about nature, culture and history of Dalrymple National Park.

Looking after the park

Parks and forests protect Queensland's wonderful natural diversity and scenery. Help keep these places special by following these guidelines.

• Leave everything as you find it. Everything, living and dead, is protected including historical and cultural artefacts.
• Stop the spread of weeds, insect pests and pathogens. New introductions can spread and displace resident species and alter the local ecology. Soil from your vehicle and camping gear can contain weed seeds, ants (and their eggs) and foreign plant pathogens. Before you arrive, clean your vehicle (especially the tyres and undercarriage) and all camping equipment. If available, use a washdown facility provided in a local town. Follow the come clean, go clean guidelines, and learn more about pest plants and animals and pathogens.
• Camp fires are permitted in the fire rings provided, except when QFD fire ban and restrictions or QPWS-imposed fire prohibitions (PDF, 763.6KB) are in place. Bring clean, pest free firewood such as untreated, mill off-cuts, collecting firewood from the park is prohibited. Follow the Parks and forest guidelines for camp fires and cooking. Fuel or gas stoves are recommended.
• Keep food away from wildlife. Accidental or intentional feeding upsets the balance of nature and can make animals sick and/or aggressive. Never leave food or scraps around your camp site or in locations you visit in the national park.
• Manage your waste. Take rubbish with you when you leave as no bins are provided. Pack food away immediately after meals and secure rubbish in sturdy rubbish bag in a sealable animal-proof container to avoid attracting insects and larger animals. Never bury rubbish as animals will dig it up.
• Never contaminate water. Don't use soap, toothpaste or detergent in the Burdekin River or Fletcher Creek. Wash yourself and your cooking utensils at least 50m from waterways.
• Toilets are not provided. Bury toilet waste (including faecal matter and paper) at least 15cm deep and 100m away from camp sites, tracks and watercourses. Bag all personal hygiene products including disposable nappies and wet-wipes for disposal off-park. Toilet facilities are available at Fletcher Creek camping reserve.
• Domestic animals are not permitted in the national park. Please observe the before you visit guidelines for dog and pets.
• Don’t use firearms, chainsaws or unregistered vehicles in protected areas.
• All Queensland road rules apply in the national park. Park visitor’s vehicles are required to be fully road registered. Trail-bike riders and vehicle drivers must be licensed.
• Stay on designated vehicle tracks. Drive only on the formed roads. Driving over vegetation, breaking branches, taking shortcuts and forming new tracks damages the environment.
• Never drive on rain-affected roads. Even if you make it through, your vehicle will damage the road surface and make it dangerous for other road users.
• Be considerate of others—ensure undue noise and dust from your riding and driving does not upset other campers and people visiting the national park.

See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

Park management

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) manages Dalrymple National Park to conserve its natural, cultural and historic values under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

The national park is managed in accordance with the Dalrymple National Park Management Plan (PDF, 1.6MB) .

Tourism information links

Charters Towers Visitor Information Centre
www.visitcharterstowers.com.au
74 Mosman Street, Charters Towers QLD 4820
ph (07) 4761 5533
email tourinfo@charterstowers.qld.gov.au

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.