The Western Downs region has access to unique national parks and botanic gardens where you can experience the natural beauty of our special part of Queensland. We are home to the world famous bunya pine as well as one of Queensland’s unique botanic gardens that contains many of Australia’s botanical treasures.
Located within a two hour drive from Chinchilla is the Bunya Mountains National Park. Declared a National Park in 1908, the Bunya Mountains is the world’s largest remaining bunya pine rainforest and is linked to the Jurassic era. Until the late 1800s, Aboriginal people travelled up the mountain during bunya nut season to feast and celebrate. Notches still mark the tree trunks where young men cut footholds with stone axes to scale the trees and bring down bunya nuts.
Only an hours drive from Chinchilla is Lake Broadwater Conservation Park. Lake Broadwater is a natural lake 27km south-west of Dalby. Surrounded by cypress pine, eucalypt and brigalow woodland, it is a refuge for our waterbirds and native wildlife. Bring your friends and family here for picnics and relax under the shady river red and blue gums on the shores of the lake.
Another drive under 2-hours from Chinchilla is the Myall Park Botanic Gardens, Glenmorgan. This internationally recognised botanic garden was established in the 1940’s and is located 7km outside the town of Glenmorgan. Focusing on arid and semi-arid plant species, the collection was the vision of Mr David Gordon (1899-2001) and was developed during the wool boom years when Mr Gordon sent collectors across Australia to source plant propagation material. Walking trails, day trips, campers and caravans are welcome.
Here at Kings Park Accommodation we recommend making a weekend of it, and booking our Botanical Gardens package to explore these gorgeous National Parks and Gardens at your own pace. To book contact us on 07 4662 7733 or click here.