About Moorrinya

Park features

Moorrinya National Park is located in the heart of the Desert Uplands bioregion (PDF, 998KB). The 32,607-hectare national park protects 18 vegetation communities in the Lake Eyre Basin, one of Australia's most important catchments.

This remote national park has dry, flat plains criss-crossed by watercourses covered in open eucalypt, paperbark and acacia woodlands and grasslands. Moorrinya is a wildlife refuge, protecting iconic Australian native animals such as kangaroos, koalas, emus and wedge-tailed eagles, as well as threatened species including the square-tailed kite, squatter pigeon (southern subspecies) and Julia Creek dunnart.

The word ‘Moorrinya’ originates from the Yirendali Traditional Owners. ‘Moorrinya’ refers to the stands of native ironbark eucalypt trees which feature in the national park. The Yirendali People hold cultural and historical connections to the land where these trees grow.

Moorrinya National Park was formerly a sheep grazing property named Shirley Station. In the late 1970s, cattle replaced sheep and grazing continued until the national park was established in 1993. Much of the sheep station infrastructure, dating back to the late 1940s, remains as a reminder of the spirit and hard work of the people who lived in this remote part of Queensland.

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. Do not fossick in heritage buildings or remove any historical artifacts.
• 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 communal fire ring 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 national 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 Bullock Creek. Wash yourself and your cooking utensils at least 50m from waterways.
• Use toilets where provided. Where toilets are not available, bury toilet waste (and paper) at least 15cm deep and 100m away tracks and watercourses. Bag all personal hygiene products including disposable nappies and wet-wipes for disposal off-park.
• 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.
• Keep to designated tracks. Drive only on the formed roads as shown on the Moorrinya National Park map (PDF, 1.1MB) . 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 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

Moorrinya National Park was gazetted in 1993. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) manages the protected area to conserve its natural, cultural and historic values under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

For more information see the Moorrinya National Park Management Plan (PDF, 1.7MB) .

Tourism information links

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

Flinders Discovery Centre
www.visithughenden.com.au
37 Gray Street, Hughenden QLD 4821
Phone: (07) 4741 2970
Email: info@flinders.qld.gov.au

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