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Destinations > Northern Exposure
Northern Exposure
A well laid out picnic area with tables and BBQs stands on one side of the creek while open plan camping is on the other side. If you wish to camp here or deeper into Byfield at Waterpark Creek, you must book in advance online or by phone on 131 304. Permits for these two areas can also be obtained at the QPWS at Rockhampton, which is conveniently located along the Rockhampton - Yeppoon road.
There are three good walking tracks that start near the picnic ground. They are all relatively easy, ranging in length from the 900m Venusta Circuit through to the 5.5km Caribbean Circuit. The best of them in my opinion is the 4.3km Stony Creek Circuit that meanders through lush eucalypt forest along the banks of Stony Creek. Try to allow yourself around two hours for this delightful little stroll since there are plenty of things to stop and look at along the way.
Once you arrive back at the main Byfield Road junction it's 4.8km on to the turn-off to Red Rock Camping area, then another 1km along a gravel track to the camping ground itself. Set amongst a towering pine plantation, Red Rock is an open grassy site with plenty of flat spots for caravans. Although it comes in at the bottom on my list of the three camping areas in Byfield State Forest it does have a couple of points going for it that the others don't have. The main thing is that you don't have to book in advance, just pay for your permit at the self-registration stand when you arrive. The second feature is that it's the only camping area in Byfield where you can bring a dog. While this is great for dogs and dogs owners, (lets face it dogs should be able to enjoy the great outdoors too) dogs have a habit of scaring off native wildlife even though they have to be remain on a leash at all times.
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To reach Waterpark Creek, which is my pick of the state forest camping areas, head back to the bitumen and drive 4km on towards Byfield before turning off onto the gravel and going a further 3km to the Waterpark Creek visitor area. This tranquil spot is situated along a beautiful creek and surrounded by a small patch of rainforest. Short-nosed bandicoots and native bush rats are often seen scampering around the camping ground at night, while in the morning you will most likely be visited by a scrub turkey or lace monitor (goanna) searching for any bits of food that may have fallen on the ground.
Make sure that you go on the 1.2km Bowenia Rainforest Circuit as it meanders through some magnificent vegetation including closed turpentine forest and ancient cycad palms. There are a couple of spots where you get great views over the creek but don't be tempted to take a dip, even if it's hot as a couple of large estuarine crocodiles are said to reside there. Campers arriving at Waterpark Creek after periods of heavy rain should bring along plenty of insect repellent with them as the hordes of mosquitoes can make this otherwise idyllic place a nightmare.
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There are three good walking tracks that start near the picnic ground. They are all relatively easy, ranging in length from the 900m Venusta Circuit through to the 5.5km Caribbean Circuit. The best of them in my opinion is the 4.3km Stony Creek Circuit that meanders through lush eucalypt forest along the banks of Stony Creek. Try to allow yourself around two hours for this delightful little stroll since there are plenty of things to stop and look at along the way.
Once you arrive back at the main Byfield Road junction it's 4.8km on to the turn-off to Red Rock Camping area, then another 1km along a gravel track to the camping ground itself. Set amongst a towering pine plantation, Red Rock is an open grassy site with plenty of flat spots for caravans. Although it comes in at the bottom on my list of the three camping areas in Byfield State Forest it does have a couple of points going for it that the others don't have. The main thing is that you don't have to book in advance, just pay for your permit at the self-registration stand when you arrive. The second feature is that it's the only camping area in Byfield where you can bring a dog. While this is great for dogs and dogs owners, (lets face it dogs should be able to enjoy the great outdoors too) dogs have a habit of scaring off native wildlife even though they have to be remain on a leash at all times.
read on below advertisement
To reach Waterpark Creek, which is my pick of the state forest camping areas, head back to the bitumen and drive 4km on towards Byfield before turning off onto the gravel and going a further 3km to the Waterpark Creek visitor area. This tranquil spot is situated along a beautiful creek and surrounded by a small patch of rainforest. Short-nosed bandicoots and native bush rats are often seen scampering around the camping ground at night, while in the morning you will most likely be visited by a scrub turkey or lace monitor (goanna) searching for any bits of food that may have fallen on the ground.
Make sure that you go on the 1.2km Bowenia Rainforest Circuit as it meanders through some magnificent vegetation including closed turpentine forest and ancient cycad palms. There are a couple of spots where you get great views over the creek but don't be tempted to take a dip, even if it's hot as a couple of large estuarine crocodiles are said to reside there. Campers arriving at Waterpark Creek after periods of heavy rain should bring along plenty of insect repellent with them as the hordes of mosquitoes can make this otherwise idyllic place a nightmare.
next page »
