Bunya Mountains

The Bunya Mountains are a forested plateau and national park in southern Queensland, Australia, notable for ancient stands of bunya pine and a network of walking tracks and lookouts. The area is important both ecologically and culturally.

Short walks and picnic areas lead into forests dominated by large bunya pines, with several lookouts and a modest visitor village offering basic services and trailheads. The plateau’s highest points offer panoramic views across farmland and distant ranges.

The bunya pine groves were traditionally a meeting place for Indigenous groups who gathered to harvest bunya nuts; the site retains strong cultural significance. European settlement brought forestry and tourism but significant stands have been protected within the park.

The Bunya Mountains sit inland in southern Queensland, on a rounded plateau north of the Darling Downs and roughly 160 km northwest of Brisbane.

• Bunya pines and cultural significance: The area contains one of the largest remaining stands of bunya pine (Araucaria bidwillii), a species of cultural significance to local Indigenous peoples.
• Weather and clothing advice: The park plateau is cooler and wetter than the surrounding lowlands, so visitors should bring warm and wet-weather clothing even in summer.

What to See #

• Mount Kiangarow: Mount Kiangarow is the highest peak in the range and a common target for walkers, offering panoramic views over the plateau and valleys.
• Dandabah village / visitor facilities: Dandabah is the principal visitor hub on the plateau with campgrounds, picnic areas and trailheads into the surrounding forest and lookouts.
• Trails and lookouts: A network of walking tracks and lookouts traverse the park, taking visitors through ancient stands of bunya pines and rainforest gullies.