ATTRACTIONS MINNAMOOLKA QLD

Princess Hills, Girringun National Park boasts spectacular scenery and an array of plant and animal life. The impressive Herbert River Gorge featuring towering cliffs and dry, rugged ridges, begins at the base of the Herbert River falls. Open forest dominates the escarpments, and she-oaks line the Herbert River. Vine-thicket rainforest dotted with hoop pines cloaks the gullies and upper slopes of the gorge. The air around the camping area often smells of lemon-scented gums. There are no formal walking tracks at Princess Hills but you can walk alongside the Herbert River. Look for freshwater crocodiles and turtles basking in the sun, and see how many species of fish you can identify. By day keep your eyes open for emus and a variety of other birds, as well as the occasional koala. The camping area is beside the Herbert River, four kilometres from the top of the spectacular Herbert River Falls. Stay overnight in shady camp sites and listen for gliders and owls, which dominate the night sounds of Princess Hills. Image credits: James Altafer, Qld Govt....

Wairuna, in Girringun National Park, has a varied landscape of open forest and woodland on its western margin through to tall wet forest on the elevated range to the east. It features the headwaters of the Burdekin River, fed from high rainfall on the rugged ranges above Cardwell. Over times, the river carved out a wide plain, which now features abundant waterholes and lagoons that are seasonally full of water attracting a rich diversity of water birds. The traditional owners of the area are the Warrungnu Aboriginal people. The area also has a rich history of early European settlement by the Atkinson family including their work on Brahman cattle breeding and grazing. Camp overnight in one of three separate and partially shady sites beside the Burdekin River. Wairuna camping area is closed throughout the wet season from 1 December to 31 March inclusive. There are no formal walking tracks at Wairuna but you can walk alongside the Burdekin River. Look for freshwater crocodiles and turtles basking in the sun, and see how many species of fish you can identify. Many animals are most active around dawn and dusk and nocturnal mammals may be seen at night by spotlight....