Visiting Moorrinya safely

Getting there and getting around

Maps

• Moorrinya National Park map (PDF, 1.1MB)

From Townsville, travel south-west for 296km to Torrens Creek on the Flinders Highway. Moorrinya National Park is about 90km south of Torrens Creek on the Aramac Torrens Creek Road. If travelling from the south, the park is 180km north of Aramac, on the Aramac Torrens Creek Road. A directional sign marks the entrance to the national park, it is another 15.3km to Shirley Shearing Shed camping area.

A 4WD vehicle is recommended as the vehicle tracks are unsealed (dirt) and rough and become impassable after rain. Vehicle access is not maintained within the stock route.

Before your trip remember to:

• Check Queensland Traffic and Flinders Shire Council and Charters Tower Regional Council for current road conditions.
• Check Park alerts for Moorrinya National Park for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.
• Check Bureau of Meteorology for current weather and warnings.

Wheelchair accessibility

Moorrinya National Park has no wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Staying safe

Moorrinya National Park is isolated, and rangers may not be on-park to help you. Hot weather, unexpected rain and potential vehicle breakdowns require that you plan well ahead for your visit. Visitors must be totally self-sufficient, responsible for your own safety and prepared for all emergencies.

Before you leave

• Plan for emergencies. Carry adequate food, drinking water,  first-aid equipment and medical supplies, fuel and basic vehicle repair equipment in case of unexpected delays or breakdown.
• Pack at least one form of communication equipment. Satellite phones and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) are the most effective in this area. Mobile phone coverage is unreliable.
• Leave an itinerary with a friend, relative or other reliable person. Include travel routes and/or check-in points.
• Pack for hot and cold conditions (plus flies, midges and mozzies!). Outback Queensland can be very hot during the day, and cold overnight. Check with the Australian Bureau of Meteorology for more information on average temperatures.
• Seek local advice. Contact relevant tourist information centres to help plan your trip.
• Book your camp site. To camp in a national park, you must plan well ahead and obtain a camping permit and pay your camping fee before you arrive. Remember, mobile phone coverage is very limited in Outback Queensland national parks. Visit camping for detailed information on camping bookings and fees.

While visiting

• Keep to designated vehicle tracks, and drive with caution as road conditions can change quickly. Watch out for animals, they can appear on roads at any time of day though are generally more active at dusk and dawn.
• Stay with your vehicle if it breaks down. A vehicle is much easier to find than a person.
• Carry drinking water, whether driving or walking. Boil, filter or treat water from creeks before drinking.
• Never jump or dive into water. It may be shallow or hide submerged objects.
• Wear protective clothing. Put on a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and wear sturdy enclosed footwear and a long-sleeved shirt—even on cloudy days.
• Always be aware of your surroundings and be on the lookout for animals and insects that could scratch, sting or bite. Be alert for snakes all year round, detour around snakes and never provoke them. Set up your camp well before dark. Dingoes and wild dogs are potentially dangerous. Do not approach or feed dingoes and stay in a group if out walking.
• Carry at least one form of communication equipment. Satellite phones and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) are the most effective in this area. Mobile phone coverage is unreliable in the national park.
• Beware of other road users—vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians use the roads in this national park.

In an emergency

For all emergencies call Triple Zero (000).

We highly recommend you visit the Triple Zero website before visiting a national park or forest. Download the Triple Zero emergency app to help identify your location. Important: if there is no mobile coverage on any network, you will not be able to reach the Emergency Call Service via a mobile phone.

Before you visit

Essentials to bring

To ensure you have an enjoyable visit make sure you bring:

• a first-aid kit, medical supplies and reliable communication equipment
• extra fuel and vehicle repair equipment
• adequate drinking water for your stay (water is not provided)
• reliable camping gear in good working order
• sealable containers for rubbish as bins are not provided
• firewood—bring only clean, milled timber
• a fuel or gas stove for cooking
• a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.

Opening hours

Moorrinya National Park is open 24 hours a day and is generally accessible from May to September. During the wet season (between November and April) the unsealed (dirt) road into the national park may be inaccessible.

The national park may be closed at times due to management operations or severe weather. Check park alerts for Moorrinya National Park for the latest information on national park access, closures and conditions.

Permits and fees

Camping permits are required and fees apply. A camping tag or your booking details must be displayed at your camp site.

• Book your site online before arriving at Shirley Shearing Shed.
• If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.

Other permits and fees

Various activities in Queensland parks and forests require a permit. Activities include commercial tours, social events, organised group visits, school excursions, scientific research, professional photography and the sale of photographs or vision of the park. See Permits and fees for further information.

Pets

Domestic animals are not permitted in Moorrinya National Park.

Climate and weather

Days can be very hot between October and March, reaching average temperature of 31ºC to 35ºC , and occasionally exceeding 40ºC. Wet periods occur during this time which makes access difficult or impossible. Visit in the cooler months, from April to September, when daily temperatures average a more pleasant 27ºC. Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Fuel and supplies

Fuel and basic supplies are available at Torrens Creek, about 90km north of the national park. Charters Towers (about 250km north-east of Moorrinya) and Hughenden (about 178km north-west of Moorrinya) have a wider range of supplies. For more information, see the tourism information links.