About Idalia

Breathtaking views from Emmet Pocket.

Photo credit: John Augusteyn © Queensland Government

Park features

This 144,000 hectares park protects extensive mulga woodlands, the headwaters of the Bulloo River and threatened wildlife.

Explore the gorges and rock formations of Idalia’s Gowan Range tablelands. Emerge from the dense mulga to catch surprise views of rugged escarpments, home to yellow-footed rock-wallabies. You may also see other macropods grazing along the creek flats.

Visit innovative stake stockyards built from the 1920s to 1950s to hold up to 300 cattle during muster. Wander among the rusty iron and splintered bush timber relics, imagining the stories behind them.

• Read more about the nature, culture and history of the Parks of Central West Queensland.

Looking after the park

Everything in Idalia National Park is protected including plants, animals, heritage sites and artifacts. Please appreciate, respect and help care for Idalia’s outstanding natural and cultural values by leaving things as you find them, and encouraging others to do the same.

• Leave everything as you find it. Avoid disturbing animals and plants, historical ruins and cultural artefacts.
• 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 food scraps around your camp sites or a day-use area.
• Manage your waste. Take rubbish with you when you leave as no bins are provided. Secure rubbish in a sturdy rubbish bag in a sealable animal-proof container for disposal at off-park waste disposal facilities. Never bury rubbish as animals will dig it up. s to avoid attracting insects and larger animals. Do not bury rubbish. Dingoes or other animals will dig it up.
• Use toilets where provided. Where toilets are not available—bury 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. Never pour portable toilet waste into parks’ toilets, our toilets cannot cope with the waste or chemicals. Empty chemical toilets at approved toilet waste disposal facilities in Blackall and Isisford (see Tourism information links).
• Never contaminate water. Wash yourself and utensils well away (at least 50m) from waterways. Do not use detergent, soap or shampoo in or near waterholes.
• Stop the spread of weeds, insect pests and soil pathogens. New introductions can spread and displace resident species and alter the local ecology. Soil from your vehicle, camping gear and footwear can contain weed seeds, ants (and their eggs) and foreign plant pathogens. Before you arrive clean all vehicles (especially the tyres and undercarriage), all camping equipment and walking gear. If available, use a washdown facility provided in a local town. Follow the come clean, go clean guidelines.
• Bring your own clean firewood such us untreated, mill off-cuts. Collecting firewood in the national park is prohibited.
• Don’t use firearms, chainsaws or unregistered vehicles in protected areas.
• Domestic animals are not permitted in the parks. Please observe the before you visit guidelines for dog and pets.

Please read looking after parks in Central West Queensland.

Park management

Each park in Cooper Creek catchment has unique attributes. Idalia is managed to conserve the natural condition and protect the cultural resources and values of the park.

Tourism information links

Blackall-Tambo Regional Council
www.btrc.qld.gov.au
6 Coronation Drive, Blackall
ph (07) 4621 6600
email admin@blackall.qld.gov.au

Blackall Visitor Information Centre
www.btrc.qld.gov.au/contact-us/home
108A Shamrock Street, Blackall
ph (07) 4657 4637
email binfo@btrc.qld.gov.au or bvic@btrc.qld.gov.au

Longreach Regional Council
www.longreach.qld.gov.au
experiencelongreach.com.au
96 Eagle Street, Longreach
ph (07) 4658 4111
email council@longreach.qld.gov.au

Outer Barcoo Interpretation Centre
www.experiencelongreach.com.au
12 Saint Mary Street, Isisford
ph (07) 4658 8133
email experience@longreach.qld.gov.au

The Longreach Explore Centre (Visitor Information)
www.experiencelongreach.com.au
99a Eagle Street, Longreach
ph (07) 4658 4141 or (07) 4658 4142
email experience@longreach.qld.gov.au

For information on road conditions see Queensland Traffic.
Phone 13 19 40 for 24-hour road reports.

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