Byfield National Park open for business after Cyclone Marcia recovery

‘Come back to Byfield’ is the message from rangers who have made a mammoth effort to reopen campgrounds and day-use areas in Byfield National Park and State forest following Tropical Cyclone Marcia.

Thanking the local Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers, a further four QPWS teams that came from other parts of the state to help, and the Australian Defence Force which helped QPWS clear roads and campgrounds, Queensland National Parks Minister Dr Steven Miles explained “after the QPWS teams helped residents of Yeppoon, Byfield and Stockyard Point to clean away debris from their communities and get their roads open, they turned their attention to the park and forest sites.”

The following areas are open from 6th March, with more to come soon:

• Stockyard Point track 
• Stockyard Headland lookout 
• Five Rocks campsite 
• Nine Mile Beach - Pandanus campsite only 
• Waterpark Creek day-use area. 
• Scouts campsite 

Dr Miles added “Byfield was in Marcia’s direct path and the damage is severe and widespread (with) whole areas of pine plantation bordering the park flattened.

“Rangers with assistance from Stockyard Point residents had the access road to the coast trafficable within a few days after the cyclone, and they’ve now cleared the debris from several of the recreation sites.

“The clean-up and repairs will take months but we’re urging people to get out to Byfield and as long as they drive carefully and be patient with a few delays they can enjoy the park and the glorious beaches.

“I’m sure the Byfield community will appreciate seeing visitors again to get business going.”

QPWS Principal Ranger Peter Moore said teams had come from Longreach, Charters Towers, Mackay, Townsville and Airlie Beach to aid their fellow rangers in removing thousands of fallen trees.

Moore explained “fortunately the brand-new facilities at the Upper Stony picnic area fared quite well. However the new Upper Stony camping area and Red Rock’s camping areas were battered.

“The rangers are greatly appreciating the support from the local community for what will be a long, tough job.”

Dr Miles said Cyclone Marcia had affected scores of national parks, State forests and reserves in central Queensland and north Burnett and most had been fully or partially reopened.

“Our parks and forests are important to tourism and people’s livelihood. It’s a priority to reopen them, and QPWS is making every effort.”

For more information check park alerts at www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/park-alerts

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