Things to do

Woondum National Park offers many nature-based opportunities for the visitor to explore and enjoy the natural surrounds.

Rock Pools day-use area

Picnic facilities are provided in a pleasantly cool environment beside the large rock pool where Boulder Creek and Woondum Creek meet. Relax and unwind to the sound of water gently cascading over ancient granite outcrops.

Picnic tables, gas barbecues, and toilets are provided.

Explore around the creek or go for a short walk through the forest. Supervise children closely and watch out for vehicles when crossing the road between the carpark and day-use area.

Take care around the creeks as rock surfaces can be slippery. Avoid serious injury by never jumping or diving into the creeks, as water depth is variable and unpredictable.

Dogs are not permitted in Woondum National Park, except under permit or authority, including travelling in vehicles and trailers through the national park

Please do not feed the lace monitors. Let them find their own food and help keep wildlife wild.

Camping and accommodation

Camping

There are no camping areas within Woondum National Park. Nearby Amamoor State Forest, Cooloola Recreation Area, Great Sandy National Park and Brooyar State Forest offer camping opportunities.

Other accommodation

There is a range of holiday accommodation in and around Gympie.

There are several privately run campgrounds, guesthouse, lodges and bed and breakfasts within a short distance of Woondum National Park.

For more information see the tourism information links.

Walking

• See Woondum National Park map (PDF, 1.2MB)

Choose walks that suit your fitness levels.

Turpentine circuit

Grade 3

Distance: 500m return

Time: Allow about 20mins walking time

Details: Large turpentine trees Syncarpia glomulifera feature on this short walk through tall open forest and rainforest. The walk includes a rock hop across Boulder Creek.

Boulder Mountain hiking trail

Grade 5

Distance: 3.2km return

Time: Allow 2hrs walking time

Details: Walk through tall open forest with a rainforest understory and open forest with grass trees to the summit of Boulder Mountain. Extremely steep, uphill sections make this walk suitable for very fit people only.

Driving

Warning: During extended periods of wet weather roads will be closed check park alerts

Four-wheel-drive and motorbike access only.

Registered four-wheel-drive vehicles and motorbikes may be driven on roads in these forests. The driver must hold a valid licence to operate the vehicle.

The forest road has steep grades, narrow sections and creek crossings. Large drainage humps run diagonally across steep section of the road, making it unsuitable for vehicles with low clearance.

Tall open forest, wet sclerophyll forest and rainforest line the road and create the perfect setting for a forest drive.

For safety, drive slowly and keep a lookout for other road users.

Horse and mountain bike riding

• See Woondum National Park map (PDF, 1.2MB)

Mountain bike riding is permitted on vehicle tracks within the national park unless otherwise signed. Mountain bike riding is not permitted on walking tracks and beyond locked gates.

Horse riding is permitted on management tracks within the park. Horses are not permitted on walking tracks.

Follow the give-way code.

• Cyclists must give way to walkers and horseriders, and alert them when approaching.
• Walkers must give way to horses.

Ride safely

• Always wear a helmet and safety gear.
• Plan ahead—check the weather and park alerts and ride within your ability and according to track conditions.
• Carry a first aid kit and mobile phone. Be aware that mobile phone reception can be unreliable in this area.
• Avoid riding on soft, wet and muddy tracks. Observe and obey safety and advisory signs and respect areas closed to riding.
• Ride only on the shared trails within the park. Do not take shortcuts or form new tracks as this damages the environment and causes erosion. Cross watercourses at designated crossing points.
• Avoid skidding and sliding around turns—collisions and injury may result.
• Avoid scaring horses, talk or call out to oncoming horseriders and when approaching from behind.
• Consider other track users, slow down to walking speed when passing walkers, or other riders.
• Avoid riding in large groups.
• Always expect to find someone or something on the track around the next corner. You may encounter other riders, wildlife, cattle and natural obstacles such as fallen trees and water-eroded tracks. Horse owners – ensure your horse is not easily frightened.

See Park alerts.

Help protect the park environment by adopting a minimal impact approach to riding.

• Ride only on formed roads and trails designated for riding—riding over vegetation, taking shortcuts and forming new trails damages plants and wildlife habitat.
• Please help to limit the spread of weeds:
  • Ensure your clothes, shoes, bike, and horses’ coats, hooves, equipment and floats are clean and free of seeds before park visits.
  • Provide weed-free, good quality, processed feed to horses at least 48 hours before entering a forest reserve or protected area.
  • Avoid riding through patches of weeds especially if they are seeding.
• Minimise damage to vegetation. Do not allow horses to graze on any vegetation while in the area.
• Follow the code of conduct for horse riding through parks and forests—a set of guidelines for horse riders to follow to minimise their impact on park environments, and ensure they are meeting the legislative requirements of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and the Forestry Act 1959.

Read more about horse riding in forest areas.