Upgraded Girraween National Park experiences high visitation during school holidays

The recent $3.3 million upgrade to Queensland’s Girraween National Park - located south of Stanthorpe in the Granite Belt region, and close to the border with New South Wales - has attracted high visitation with hundreds of families experiencing the new facilities over the school holiday period.

The Queensland Government last month completed upgrades to the premier camping and nature-based tourism destination, including the creation of two new camping areas.

About 80% of visitors to Girraween walk up The Pyramid, which is a strenuous walk to the top of a massive, granite dome. With the latest improvements to The Pyramid walking track, many visitors to Girraween can enjoy climbing to the top to take in the breathtaking views of the park.

Queensland Environment Meaghan Scanlon said Girraween National Park is internationally renowned for its magnificent granite landscape, spring wildflower displays and its changing seasons and advised “Girraween is one of Queensland’s popular national parks, with more than 120,000 people visiting each year.

“It plays a big role in the $2.4 billion economic injection our national parks provide, and it’s why we’ve committed $262.5 million to expand and acquire new national parks across the state.

“Castle Rock camping area has undergone a major redevelopment and two new camping areas have been to enhance both the visitor experience and environmental outcomes.”

The upgrade to Girraween’s camping areas will see the Bald Rock Creek camping area close after 50 years of use, due to environmental concerns in relation to wastewater and soil erosion.

The Minister said Castle Rock camping area now has sites suitable for all users, including specifically dedicated sites for larger groups and persons with disabilities, who now have easy access to suitable facilities.

“The new Terrawambella camping area has grassed, open areas suitable for large, organised groups and larger camping structures.

“People will love the Kambuwal camping area which is nestled among trees and granite rocks, and has more intimate sites suitable for small trailers and various sized tents.

“The names given to the two new camping areas recognise Girraween’s First Nations people—the Kambuwal People—and their connection to this special place.”

“Terrawambella is the Kambuwal People’s name for The Pyramid, and all three camping areas take in spectacular views of The Pyramid and Castle Rock.

Minister Scanlon added “as part of the work building a better Girraween, a concept plan for the development of an exciting new Girraween Visitor Centre and Precinct has been completed, as has the installation of additional water supply infrastructure and waste treatment system.”

Girraween fast facts:

• The landscape was formed from tectonic plate and volcanic activity around 225 million years ago

• First Nations peoples lived for countless generations in the Girraween National Park area

• The national park is about 12,000 hectares in size

• Girraween means ‘place of flowers’

• The park is renowned for its massive granite outcrops and granite features including the Granite Arch and the Pyramid

• The park includes camping areas, day-use and multiple walking tracks

• Wildlife includes the common wombat, spotted quoll, lyrebird, Cunningham’s skink, and the turquoise parrot

Image: The Pyramid, Girraween National Park Credit: Queensland Department of Environment and Science