D’ Aguilar National Park Guide | Everything You Need To Know

If you’re after spontaneous trips, weekend drives, magnificent scenic views, and getting together with your loved ones, you’re in luck because D’Aguilar National Park is just a twenty-minute drive from Brisbane! If you love nature, watching sunsets, and camping, this is the place for you. So, what makes this National Park so unique?

D’Aguilar National Park is a vibrant subtropical rainforest that’s perfect for a holiday getaway. There’s a wide range of activities that you can do while watching the glorious scenery that you’ll surely enjoy. You will love this place for sure because the park features like tall trees, numerous plant communities, picnic areas, and the walking tracks are explicit and extraordinary.

Here is an overview of the campgrounds in D’Aguilar National Park:

Neurum Creek Camping Area
Archer Camping Area

Scrub Road Bush Camp
Light Line Road Bush Camp
Dundas Road Bush Camp

England Creek Bush Camp
Northbrook Mountain Bush Camp
South Kobble Bush Camp

Middle Kobble Bush Camp
North Kobble Bush Camp
Lepidozamia Bush Camp

Are you interested in taking a drive to D’Aguilar National Park? Make sure to read the full article and find out more!

How Do I Get To D’Aguilar National Park?

D’Aguilar National Park is just 20-minute drive away from Brisbane.

Follow Elizabeth St, Creek St and Wickham Terrace to College Rd/State Route 10

Head southeast on Albert St toward Elizabeth St
Turn left onto Elizabeth St
Turn left onto Creek St

Continue straight onto Wickham Terrace
Turn right to stay on Wickham Terrace
Turn left to stay on Wickham Terrace

Drive to State Route 31 in The Gap
Continue onto College Rd/State Route 10
continue onto Musgrave Rd/State Route 31

Keep left to stay on Musgrave Rd
Continue onto Waterworks Rd/State Route 31
Continue to follow State Route 31

Destination will be on the left

What Should I Know About D’Aguilar National Park?

D’Aguilar National Park is considered a sacred country that embraces cultural values for many. It is protected by Traditional Owner groups that first took care of the Park. The rain forest of the park is so lively and provides food, medicine and many other resources.

In the 1840s, the first people to enter the D’Aguilar are the European farmers and timber-getters. The country was mostly full for farming, and giant red cedar and hoop pine trees are used to build houses that standstill until the present day in Brisbane.

In the 1860s, some gold prospectors claimed their part and gambled them on the quartz-bearing rock in the hope of striking it rich. Unfortunately, despite their hard work, the mining industry was producing only a small amount of gold and eventually abandoned. The remnants of the gold mine shafts can still be seen today along the Golden Boulder track at Bellbird Grove.

After World War II, the wide-range logging of hardwood took place. In 1930, Maiala National Park was established, and it was the first national park in the D’Aguilar Range. The Declaration of other national parks around the D’Aguilar Range followed, including Jollys Lookout in 1938, Manorina in 1949, and Boombana in 1950.

Camp Mountain Lookout was built in the 1970s. In 1977, through a public-private partnership between private stakeholders, the Queensland Government, and Brisbane City Council, the park was born. This agreement was established to protect and the bushland area and preserve its natural beauty and values for the future.

In 2009, D’Aguilar National Park was formally opened to the public. Today, the park is considered one of the most beautiful parks in Australia where nature and adventure collide. Due to its proximity from Brisbane, only 20 minute of drive, the park is perfect for abrupt getaways, spontaneous gatherings and group activities.

How Are The Campgrounds At D’Aguilar National Park?

There is a lot of different campsites in D’Aguilar that suits your needs. Newbie visitors wanting to camp at any site are required to be physically fit, and have an experienced companion. Also, you must have emergency plans, bushwalking, and navigation experience to avoid the hassle.

Aside from that, you must carry topographic maps, compass, first-aid kit, water and food when going on a trip to the park. You should also know that the cellular reception in the area is unreliable and camping within D’Aguilar National Park is highly prohibited during periods of high fire hazard for safety purposes. Also, please do not forget to bring your rubbish along with you when leaving the camp.

Neurum Creek Camping Area

Neurum Creek Camping Area is an enclosed forest setting camp. It is located at Neurum Creek Road, around 6.3km from the southern entry point to the park (Sellin Road by taking The Gantry) and about 13.5km from the northern entrance to the park (Woodford end).

This camp is not suitable for trailer campers or caravans, and only 4WD vehicles are recommended to access the area. There are 13 sites, and a maximum of 6 people per site. Also, this area is suitable for tent pitching beside your car and walks in camping. There are water, septic toilets and fireplaces.

The fireplace is provided in bins, but you need to bring your firewood. Aside from that, you should also remember to bring your drinking water, rubbish bags, insect repellent, and your fuel or gas stove for cooking. Also, generators are not permitted.

Archer Camping Area

Archer Camping Area is a family-friendly camping area. It has a natural bush and grassy setting. It is located on Lovedays Road, about 1km from the northern access to the park (Woodford end) and about 16km from the southern entrance to the park (Sellin Road via The Gantry).

The area is accessible via 4WD and not suitable for trailer campers and caravan. Also, there are nine campsites spread in this grassy area with a maximum of 6 people per site, and it is ideal for tents and large groups.

There are facilities available like water, septic toilets and fireplaces. Like other camps, fireplace bins are provided, but you have to bring your firewood.

Scrub Road Bush Camp

It is a remote bush camp located at Mount Nebo Road, and it is accessible through walking 4km along Scrub Road. Along the way, stop at Enoggera Creek and enjoy the fabulous backdrop of the headwaters. Scrub Road is a 15 min drive from Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre in The Gap.

Another route to the campsite is walking approximately 5.8 km along South Boundary Road, off Mount Nebo Road. Also, south Boundary Road is a 20 min drive from Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre is a walk-in only campsite. You have to carry your topographic map to locate this camping area. The actual camping area does not have boundaries that define them and only nine people maximum.

There are water tanks and living quarters. However, water must be filtered before drinking. Bring your food, water and tents.

Light Line Road Bush Camp

Light Line Road bush camp is a camp surrounded by bloodwoods, grey gums and tallowwoods. It is located from the park border at Forestry Road, Mount Nebo, and the bush camping site is accessible through walking 1.7 km along the Light Line Road. Also, Forestry Road is a 20 min drive from the visitor centre in The Gap.

The campsite is an open area without definite boundaries, and only six people are the maximum capacity. There are water tanks and shelter, and you must always bring your food and tents.

Dundas Road Bush Camp

It is a remote area camp that’s covered with eucalypt forest and the most accessible area in the D’Aguilar. It is located at Mount Nebo Road, and the bush campsite can be reached by walking 1.6km along Dundas Road. The road is a 25 min drive from the visitor centre in The Gap and can be accessed behind the Mount Nebo waste transfer station. A topographic map is required to access the area because the cellular signal is unreliable. Open fires are strictly prohibited, but there are bins provided.

England Creek Bush Camp

It is a remote camp located at the middle of the Park, alongside picturesque England Creek. There are plenty of water holes along with England Creek bush camp and Native Daisies during summer, Pink Rock Orchids and tongue orchids. It is located at Mount Glorious Road, and the bush camping site is accessible through walking for 10.5k m along with England Creek, Lawton, and Joyners Ridge roads.

Lawton Road is a 45 min drive away from the visitor centre. Since the cellular signal is unreliable in this area, you must carry a topographic map. The actual campsite has no boundaries, and a maximum of 9 people are permitted. However, there are no facilities available in the area. Open fires are prohibited, only gas or fuel stove can be used.

Northbrook Mountain Bush Camp

Northbrook Mountain Bush Camp is a high ridge overlooking Kipper Creek in wet sclerophyll forest. It is one of the most scenic campsites in the area. From the area, a 15-minute short walk will take you to the summit of Northbrook Mountain. There are also different species of wildflowers which indicates the soil in the area are moist and healthy.

It is located at Mount Glorious Road, and this bush camping site is accessible through Lawton Road (about a 45 min drive away from the discovery centre. Along the 4.7 km walk, take in the stunning subtropical rainforest and wet sclerophyll scenery. A wide range of birds can also be spotted along this track that winds around the base of Northbrook Mountain.

It is a walk-in camp, and a topographic map must be used to locate the area. It can also be a stopover on the long walk to England Creek Bush Camp. Only nine people can camp in the area, and durable shoes are recommended while camping in the area.

South Kobble Bush Camp

South Kobble Bush Camp is a remote open camp Located beside Kobble Creek. Accessible by walking along the unmarked trails, so a topographic map is a must. Only nine people can be accommodated at a time.

Middle Kobble Bush Camp

Middle Kobble Bush Camp is a grassy campsite next to Kobble Creek. It is located at Mount Glorious Road, and the campground is accessible by walking 4.7 km along the Lepidozamia track and Middle Kobble firebreak. The Lepidozamia track entrance is about a 50min drive from Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre in The Gap.

Allow 3−4hr for the uphill walkout, ascending 350 m in elevation with steep sections. Also, you can take an alternate route to return to the camp via North Kobble Creek firebreak back onto the Lepidozamia track.

North Kobble Bush Camp

North Kobble Bush Camp is a bush camp located adjacent to Kobble Creek. To find the site, go to Mount Glorious Road, this bush camping site is accessed from the Lepidozamia track. The Lepidozamia Track entrance is about a 50 min drive from Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre in The Gap.

But only a maximum of 9 people can be accommodated at a time, and open fires are prohibited.

Lepidozamia Bush Camp

Lepidozamia bush camp is an elevated forested ridge that overlooks Kobble Creek. To get there, go to Mount Glorious Road or Northbrook Parkway, the campsite is accessible through walking 2.5 km along the Lepidozamia track. The camp is located 150 m past the Middle Kobble break turnoff on the Lepidozamia track.

The gate access from Mount Glorious Road/Northbrook Parkway is about a 50min drive from Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre in The Gap.

If you want to know more about the campgrounds in the park, you can visit their website.

Where Can I Take A Bushwalk In D’Aguilar National Park?

Luckily, there are different routes for you to take. There are easy, medium and hard trails that you can go through. The easy walk is a Grade 2 trail that is fine not to have a trekking experience. However, Moderate hikes are Grade 3, and Hard Hikes are Grade 4. The ones who take this trail must have experience because the path may have a smooth start, but when you get in the middle, it will gradually be steep and slope. It is a perfect training ground to become a trekking enthusiast.

Easy walks

Piccabeen Walk is an easy 1km circuit. 20–30min of a hike
Falls Lookout Track is an easy 1km loop. 20–30min of walk

Moderate Hikes

Turrbal Circuit is an average 1.7km circuit. 40–50min of the trek.
Golden Boulder track is an average 1.8km circuit. 40–50min of the trek.
Egernia Circuit is an average 1.5km circuit. 45min of the trek.

Pitta Circuit is an average 1km circuit. 20–30min of the trek.
Atrax Circuit is an average 750m return. 15–20min of the trek.
Rainforest Circuit is an average 2km circuit. 1hr of the trek.

Cypress Grove Circuit is an average 2.5km return. 1hr 20min of the trek.
Western Window Track is an average 2.5km return. 1hr 20min of the trek.
Araucaria Track is an averaged 5km return. 2hr of the trek.

Thylogale Walking Track is an 8km return. 2–3hr of the trek.
Greenes Falls track is an average 4.3km return. 2hr of the trek.
Lophostemon walk is an average 750m circuit. 20min of the trek.

Hard Hikes

Morelia Walking Track is a steep 6km return. 2–2.5hr of the trek.
Westside Track is a steep 6.4km return. 2–3hr of the trek.

Aquila Loop is a steep 24km return. 6–10hr of the trek.
Cabbage Tree Range loop is a steep 17km return. 4–7hr of the trek.
Augies Loop is a steep 16km return. 4–7hr of the trek.

Somerset Trail is a steep 13km circuit. 4hr of the trek.

What Are The Other Things That I Can Do At D’Aguilar National Park?

If you’re visiting D’Aguilar National Park, you should:

Picnic

Enjoy a scenic drive through the forest in the Mount Meet section of the park
Help care for the park and its inhabitants
Try Horseback Riding

Mountain- bike Riding
Remote Camping
Enjoy the Subtropical rainforest

Spot for Mount Glorious spiny crayfish

What Is The Best Time To Visit D’Aguilar National Park?

Summer and spring is the perfect time to visit D’Aguilar National Park. During these times, the land is beautiful, and the plants and flowers flourish. However, it is prohibited to camp for the period of high fire for safety purposes of the visitors.

What Do Other Tourists Say About D’Aguilar National Park?

“We went for a day trip and were amazed at how beautiful the park is. Not far from Brisbane CBD but felt like you were a world apart. It was a cool, rainy day which added to the feeling of being further away from Brisbane. Also, there are a lot of areas to stop and take in the views. Places for picnics. Well worth going for a day trip.” -dmcallis73 (TripAdvisor)