Central Coast National Parks

Australian National Parks

The Queensland Central Coast lies between Hervey Bay and Mission Beach including beachside resorts and towns such as Bundaberg, Gladstone, Agnes Water, Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Mackay, Bowen, Townsville and Cardwell. These beachfront destinations will appeal to independent travellers, families and romantics.

The Cassowary Coast is an ideal place for bushwalkers and lovers of nature and the great outdoors. Mission Beach can be best described as one of the most unspoilt and undeveloped tourism destinations along the Cassowary Coast, and is ideal for the visitor looking for both unspoilt natural beauty and a relaxed and quiet getaway. Adventure activities are also in abundance, with most of the regions' white water rafting taking place on the nearby Tully and Johnstone Rivers. The Cassowary Coast begins about 24 kilometres from Cairns and extends to the seaside town of Cardwell 178 kilometres south of Cairns. Cardwell is renowned for its great fishing, crabbing, prawning and natural attractions.

Click here to see a list of parks in Central Coast region

Townsville is a vibrant, warm and bright city located 4 hours south of Cairns. The Townsville Strand beachfront promenade frames the city centre, and is regarded as one of the best inner city beachfronts in Australia. Bowen has untouched beaches, beautiful bays and the perfect tropical climate. Bowen is situated in the northern region of the Whitsundays on the shores of Edgecumbe Bay, just 40 minutes drive north of Airlie Beach.

The Mackay Region offers unforgettable holiday experiences to suit every taste, budget and interest. Rockhampton is located on the Tropic of Capricorn and the majesty of Rockhampton's historical architecture has captured the hearts of visitors for decades. Yeppoon is the gateway to the Capricorn Coast. The township has retained its village style appeal yet offers a variety of wonderful restaurants, accommodation, shops and galleries. The whole coastline is protected by the Great Barrier Reef and the Keppel Bay Islands including Great Keppel Island. The Capricorn Coast has some of the most picturesque and safe swimming beaches in Australia.

The Gladstone Region is an attractive coastal area of Central Queensland, offering a relaxed warm holiday environment with reef, island, beaches and parklands. You'll find the Gladstone Region pleasantly sub-tropical, warm to temperate, often with cooling breezes, located just 40 kilometres south of the Tropic of Capricorn. Agnes Waters on the oceanfront has the most northerly surfing beach in Queensland and is truly a magic spot.

Bundaberg, Coral Coast County, home to the southern Great Barrier Reef. Bundaberg is your gateway to this diverse and dynamic region, just 4 hours north of Brisbane and popular with visitors looking for a relaxed holiday and the chance to get away from the hustle and bustle. Hervey Bay is brimful of history, beauty and attractions centred around sheltered waters and some 14 kilometres of golden beaches safe for children. There is no shortage of things to do and see this area is a playground designed by nature with long sandy beaches and national parks. It is also the Whale Watching capital of Australia and gateway to Fraser Island.

Bulburin National Park - Rugged, high country in the Many Peaks Range is protected in Bulburin National Park. Mt Boreen Boreen is the highest point.

Byfield National Park - Outstanding coastal scenery, massive sand dunes, rugged granite pinnacles and remote coastal camping opportunities are highlights of a visit to Byfield National Park and Conservation Park.

Capricorn Coast National Park - Rocky outcrops along the Capricorn Coast were formed by volcanic eruptions about 130 million years ago.

Coalstoun Lakes National Park - Rising 200m above a broad cultivated valley, Mt Le Brun contains two large craters which occasionally fill with shallow lakes.

Capricornia Cays National Park - The cays stunning white beaches and coral reefs will leave a lasting impression. Their exceptional beauty and biological diversity make them internationally significant.

Curtis Island National Park - Off the central Queensland coast between Rockhampton and Gladstone lies Curtis Island. The north-eastern end of this large island is Curtis Island National Park.

Deepwater National Park - On sandy soils to the west of the track grows a mosaic of paperbark forests, low shrubland dominated by wallum banksia and open heathlands. These taper into swamplands close to Deepwater Creek.

Eurimbula National Park - Captain Cook first landed in Queensland on this picturesque stretch of coast with its broad, sandy beaches in May 1770. Cooks ship the Endeavour anchored in the sheltered inlet that was named Bustard Bay after a bustard or plains turkey was shot in the vicinity.

Fraser Island National Park - Stark sandblows, high dunes and coloured sand cliffs, sculpted over time by wind, water and waves sparkling freshwater lakes forests of towering rainforest giants extensive woodlands richly varied wildlife wildflower-filled wallum heaths and swamps fern-fringed creeks beaches sweeping into the distant haze this is Fraser Island.

Keppel Bay National Park - The Keppel Bay Islands National Park is made up of a group of continental islands that lie within Keppel Bay, adjacent to the Capricorn Coast of Central Queensland.

Mount Archer National Park - Spectacular views of Rockhampton city, deeply incised valleys, dry rainforests, fleeting glimpses of forest inhabitants and feasting cockatoos feature strongly in a visit to Mount Archer National Park.

Mount Colosseum National Park - From the highway near Miriam Vale, Mount Colosseum is a prominent feature on the skyline.

Mount Etna Caves National Park - Limestone outcrops, decorated caves, rare bats and dry rainforest patches are now protected in a national park that once was the site of Australias longest running conservation battle.

Mount Jim Crow National Park - Volcanic activity created Mount Jim Crow, a trachyte plug protected in Mount Jim Crow National Park.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service