Destinations > Bladensburg NP

Opalton Road, which runs through the western section of the park, can be extremely dusty in dry weather with vehicles kicking up heaps of swirling bulldust in their wake. Apart from having good seals on your doors and windows to keep the dust out, you should always remember to pull off the road if you have to stop suddenly otherwise another vehicle traveling behind may not see you and ram into your rear end.

Bladensburg National Park is a rare treat amongst Outback parks. Its isolation and rugged beauty ensure that even the most jaded of travelers will find something to amaze the senses amongst the heat and the bulldust.

Little Marsupials Take A Battering
A study by biologists at Bladensburg on the effects that feral cats and foxes were having on the park's wildlife found that while both of these introduced pests were a major threat to birds and small marsupials, cats were by far the greater problem. The stomach contents of feral cats dissected during the research found that they had preyed on twelve birds, fifteen reptile and five species of mammals. This compared to foxes, which were found to prey on three mammal, two bird and four reptile species. Biologists think the main reason why cats kill a greater number of small animals than foxes, is because the latter also feed on kangaroo road kills while cats prefer live prey.

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A Great Spot For Birds
Bird life is prolific along the creek, so make sure that you are carrying binoculars and a bird identification guide so you can identify the many different types that come down to drink. Surprise Creek is one of the best places to spot the magnificent red-winged parrot, which can be seen drinking along the water's edge in the early morning and late afternoon. Galahs and white cockatoos are among the more vocal species that can be heard throughout the day, while flycatchers, pardalotes and honeyeaters dart in and out of the trees in their almost constant search for insects and nectar.

Getting There
Bladensburg National Park is approximately 15km south of Winton in far northwest Queensland. Most visitors to the park go there in the cooler months, as summer can be unbearably hot. If it looks like rain is setting in, get out fast, since the clay-pans can become an impassable quagmire when they are wet.

Staying There
There is a beautiful camping area at Bough Shed Hole along Surprise Creek. Facilities are limited to one pit toilet. There is normally plenty of water in the creek, but it is unfit for drinking, so everything should be brought in with you.

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