The Palms Circuit

Wide Bay Burnett

Tucked away in the hills east of Cooyar, The Palms National Park is a gem worth making an effort to visit. Small in size, but big in nature, this tiny patch of remnant subtropical rainforest is filled with impressive piccabeen palms (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana) clinging to a waterlogged depression, towering fig trees and a rich suite of birdlife. It is also home to a colony of grey-headed flying foxes.

Officially marked as Grade 3/Medium difficulty (includes natural stairs, a narrow boardwalk + uneven or slippery surfaces), this walk is easily manageable for most ages and fitness levels.

Bird Watching
Picnic Facilities
No Dogs Permitted
No Camping Permitted
Rainforest
Eucalypt Forest
553m
Maximum Elevation
9m
Total Climb

Getting there:

Just north of Cooyar on the New England Highway, turn east onto Palms Road and follow this for 7.5km before turning left into Boldery Park day use area, where there is a small car park.

Maps:

The Palms National Park

Route/Trail notes:

From the car park, the signposted circuit heads through the dry vine forest and around the piccabeen palms before rising through the dryer area where there are some huge ancient trees of various types, and across the boardwalks back to the start.

Permits/Costs:

None.

Other References/Comments:

None provided.

Comments

A short walk with amazing variety to keep young children interested the whole way. The size of the ancient trees is astonishing, and the boardwalk section was very fun. 100% worth the drive. We did get lost at a fork in the dirt road - should have taken the left fork.

Steph T on 24 Dec, 2022

Small on park, huge on flora. The tallest Piccabeen Palms I have ever seen and add in the three and five hundred year old trees in this enclave was awe inspiring.
On leaving, I ended up having to herd seven cows back off the road into a field and shut the gate! Given I was on my own and only my red truck to block their way, it was quite funny.

F.A.B. on 19 May, 2021

The colony of bats seems to have relocated, and recent storms have not been kind to some of the trees, but the huge gum tree is magnificent!

Robyn on 16 May, 2021

Lovely spot. Well constructed path. There is a colony of flying foxes living in the treetops, so parts of it are a little smelly though.

Ian and Sue on 22 Oct, 2015

Nice spot for morning tea and a stroll

Shell on 14 Feb, 2015

Finally after years of driving past made some time to explore. It's about 7km away from main road. Nice easy walk , beautiful little spot. Housed by some bats and did not see myself but apparently you can spot the odd platypus in amongst the Palm trees where river runs through.

J on 7 Jun, 2014

Where

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