Sundown National Park, Queensland: Access, walks and camping

Sundown National Park in southern Queensland offers swimming, fishing, camping and the Red Rock Gorge Lookout walk. The southern section around the Broadwater is more accessible than the eastern section around Red Rock Gorge.

Where is Sundown National Park?

Sundown National Park is on the Queensland/ New South Wales border in the Granite Belt Region of Queensland. The main section lies to the west of wine village Ballandean and is realistically only accessible by 4WD.

The southern section is more accessible – you can drive in with a conventional vehicle from Mingoola.

The Broadwater in Sundown National Park

This southern section is home to Sundown National Park’s most appealing attraction – the Broadwater. This is a permanent waterhole, filled by the Severn River, which provides a haven for several bird species.

The Broadwater is a great spot for swimming and fishing.

To get to the Broadwater from Stanthorpe, drive along Texas Road for 62km, then Glenlyon Dam Road for 14km and Permanents Road for 4km until you reach the park entrance.

Sundown National Park walks

The main walk in the rugged eastern section of Sundown National Park is the 500 metre walk to the Red Rock Gorge Lookout. This is a short but fairly steep walk, and is rated Grade 3.

There are two walks near the Broadwater, too. The Permanent Waterhole walk offers a taster over 2km, while the 4.5km Western Circuit takes around two hours and brings better birdwatching.

Sundown National Park camping

Sundown National Park is also a popular spot for camping. There are two main campgrounds in the main section of the park – the Red Rock Gorge camping area and the Burrows Waterhole campground. Both are fairly basic, but do at least have toilets. Those happy to truly rough it can try the Reedy Waterhole camping area, which has no facilities at all.

Most campers will go to the Broadwater camping area, however. Here, there are toilets, showers and wood-fired barbecues. There’s a good chance of seeing eastern grey kangaroos hopping around the campground, too.

For further information, visit the Queensland Government Parks and Forests website.

Other attractions near Sundown National Park include the Ballandean wineries, Girraween National Park and the Ballandean Pyramid.