Main Range National Park Brisbane | Southern Queensland Country

The camping area is a spacious, grassy spot nestled beside Dalrymple Creek. Photo credit: © Jennifer Bartlett

Impressive mountain peaks, escarpments and ridges offer breathtaking views. Photo credit: © Janette Asche

Poplar Flat camping area

This grassy and peaceful camping area, nestled by Dalrymple Creek, is a haven for birds and other animals.

Accessible by

  • Conventional vehicle

Camping area facilities

  • Wood-fired barbecue (BYO wood)
  • Campfires allowed (conditions apply)
  • Toilets (non-flush)
  • Tent camping
  • Caravan camping
  • Camper trailer camping
  • Campervan camping
  • Motor home camping
  • Tent camping beside car
  • Walking

Always check

Set up camp at this popular spot and the soothing sounds of the forest will help you relax and unwind. At dusk, listen to the gently symphony of bell miners as you settle into your camp chair around the fire. Keep an eye on the forest fringes and you might see red-necked pademelons feeding on the grass.

Once night falls, head out into the nearby forest and spotlight for frogs, phascogales, bats, pademelons, wallabies, bandicoots, possums and gliders.

During the day, explore the nearby walks and picnic areas, or stroll along Dalrymple Creek. In spring and summer you’ll hear the harsh and loud ‘wark-wark-wark” call of great barred frogs.

This park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, famed for its ongoing geological processes, evolutionary history, and diversity (especially of rare, threatened and endemic species).

Getting there and getting around

The Poplar Flat camping area is in the Goomburra section of Main Range National Park, about 175km south-west of Brisbane.

  • The camping area is on Forestry Reserve Road, 280km from the park entrance.

Getting to the Goomburra section

  • The Goomburra section can be reached from both the New England and Cunningham highways.
  • From the New England Highway turn off the highway 3km south of Allora onto Inverramsay Road, follow Inverramsay Road, then Forestry Reserve Road east for about 35km to the park entrance.
  • From the Cunningham Highway turn off at Gladfield, 25km west of Cunninghams Gap or 13km east of the Cunningham and New England highway junction, and travel 8km to join Inverramsay Road, then follow Inverramsay Road, and Forestry Reserve Road to the park entrance.

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland, see Queensland.com, and for friendly advice on how to get there, where to stay and what to do, find your closest accredited visitor information centre.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Poplar Flat camping area is open 24 hours a day. Check-in to your camp after 2pm and check-out by 11am on the day of departure.

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Poplar Flat camping area.

Poplar Flat camping area.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

Camping area features: Open, flat, grassy area adjacent to Dalrymple Creek, which is popular with campers attracted to the sunny conditions during the cooler months.
Location: Beside the camping and information stands—it's the first camping area on entering the park.
Access: In most weather the camping area can be reached by conventional 2WD vehicles, camper trailers, caravans and small motor homes.
Number of sites: Open area without separately defined sites. Maximum of 90 people.
Camp sites are suitable for: tent camping beside your car, caravans, camper trailers, (small) motorhomes and large groups. There are no powered sites.
Camp site surface: Grass.
Facilities: Composting toilets, wood barbecues and tap-water.
Open fires: Prohibited except where barbecues are provided (except when fire bans apply). Elevated barbecues and braziers that use heat beads are permitted provided the ground underneath them is protected. Fuel stoves are recommended.
Generator use: Not allowed.
Essentials to bring: Drinking water, rubbish bags, insect repellent, fuel or gas stove and firewood. Read before you visit.

Bookings: book online or learn about our camping booking options. Advance bookings required for holiday periods including long weekends and public holidays.
Mobile phone coverage: Not available.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Main Range safely and camp with care.