Girraween National Park
(
Queensland)
Summary
Girraween is a national park which sits on the Queensland-New South Wales border near Stanthorpe. The park lies in the Granite Belt and is very popular for its granite landscape and wildflowers
Walks
(Girraween National Park - 10.4km)
The highest point in Girraween - Mt Norman provides some great views of the park and also visits the Eye of the Needle.
(Girraween National Park - 4.9km)
THIS IS AN OFF TRACK WALK
Long way round + 1.4km Short way round and up +0.9km. Very good scrambling skills or med. rock climbing skills required. As always do not attempt to climb just before, during, just after rain as the rock face can be extremely slipperly.
History
Dr Spencer Roberts, a doctor from Stanthorpe, is largely responsible for the creation of Girraween and it's NSW neighbour Bald Rock National Park. The park started as Bald Rock Creek National Park, created in 1930 and Castle Rock National Park, created in 1932. When Napier Gunn offered his property to the government in 1966 the two parks were merged and became Girraween National Park
Features
Wildflowers and granite scenery! That nearly sums up the main reasons people walk in Girraween. The park includes a well maintained collection of walking tracks visiting the main features.
Visit in Spring to witness spectacular wildflower displays.
The park also receives snow occasionally during Winter.
Access
The primary access point to the park is from the New England Highway just South of Ballandean. Just follow the signposts onto Pyramids Rd, approximately 7km South of Ballandean or 11km North of Wallangarra. Pyramids Rd gives access to both Bald Rock Creek and Castle Rock camping grounds and the majority of the park's bushwalking trails.
Maps
A free national park map can be downloaded from http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/media/parks_and_forests/parks/girraween_national_park.pdf
Hema maps publish a great map which covers Girraween, Bald Rock and Boonoo Boonoo National Parks.
Accommodation
Camping
Two National Park camping grounds are available - Bald Rock Creek and Castle Rock.
Other
Numerous other accommodation options are available in the surrounding area. Just search for accommodation in the Stanthorpe area.
More Info
Official website - http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/girraween/index.html
Vanessa and Chris Ryan have a great website on Girraween with comprehensive info - http://www.rymich.com/girraween/