About Amamoor
- Getting there and getting around
- Park features
- Camping and accommodation
- Things to do
- Things to know before you go
- Staying safe
- Looking after the park
- Park management
- Tourism information links
- Further information
Getting there and getting around
- Amamoor area parks and forests map (PDF, 137K)*
Turn off the Bruce Highway 20 km south of Gympie and follow the signs to Amamoor township. The forest is 10 km west of Amamoor along the Amamoor Creek Road. Access is suitable for conventional vehicles towing caravans.
When driving on forest roads—expect the unexpected!
- Slow down—allow time to react to unexpected situations and changed conditions. Others share the road—logging trucks, cyclists, walkers, horseriders and wildlife.
- Be courteous—pull over to the left to allow vehicles to pass. For photography and enjoying the scenery, find a safe place to pull over or turn around. Do not stop in the roadway.
- Watch out for curves—stay on your side of the road. Avoid sudden slowing as the vehicle may slide.
- Take extra care on steep and wet roads—shift down a gear. When creek water is across the road, check water depth and road surface before crossing. Water usually covers the Booloumba Creek crossings.
- Obey road signs—speed limits apply.
Warning! Heavy rain can flood creek crossings.
For your safety please observe the following:
- Obey all road closures—roads may be closed due to deep water levels at creek crossings or wet and slippery conditions.
- Flood waters in this area rise and fall quickly and are a hazard to life and property.
- Avoid flooded crossings. Submerged obstacles may pose a hazard. Traffic ahead may have created hidden hazards, such as deep holes. Cross at your own risk. If in doubt, wait it out!
- Always check road conditions and weather forecasts before travelling. For road conditions please visit the RACQ website.
For weather forecasts visit the Bureau of Meteorology website.
Park features
Recreational areas at Amamoor are beside Amamoor Creek. The creek provides important habitat for many animals including the shy platypus and several rare and endangered frogs. The surrounding state forest contains some interesting ironbark and produces some of the best plantation hoop pine in Queensland.
Camping and accommodation
Camping
Two camping areas are provided in Amamoor State Forest—Cedar Grove camping area and Amamoor Creek camping area.
Camping permits for all campsites must be booked in advance, online, over-the-counter or by phone.
- Find out more about camping in Amamoor State Forest.
- Book your campsites online.
- If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.
Other accommodation
A range of holiday accommodation is available in the Gympie area. For more information see the tourism information links below.
Things to do
Waterfall, Amama walk from the Amama day-use area, Amamoor State Forest. Photo: Ross Naumann
Walking
- See Amamoor area parks and forests map (PDF, 137K)*
Use the walking track grade listed with each walking track description to choose walks suitable for your ability and fitness level.
Key to track standards
Use the walking track grade listed with each walking track description to choose walks suitable for your ability and fitness level.
Class 3 track Australian Standards
- Gently sloping, well-defined track with slight inclines or few steps.
- Caution needed on loose gravel surfaces and exposed natural lookouts.
- Average level of fitness and ankle-supporting footwear required.
Class 4 track Australian Standards
- Distinct track, usually with steep exposed inclines or many steps.
- Caution needed on loose gravel surfaces and exposed natural lookouts.
- Moderate level of fitness and ankle-supporting footwear required.
Walks from Amama day-use area
Platypus walk—300 metres return (allow 15 mins) Class 3
The path follows the creek to a viewing platform. Watch the water surface—you may be lucky enough to see platypus.
Amama walk—1.5 km return (allow 40 mins) Class 4
Explore lush rainforest with buttressed trees, vines, ferns and mossy rocks. Along the rainforest-lined creek, look for the teardrop-shaped birds' nests which overhang the creek.
Walks from Cedar Grove camping area
Rainforest walk—1 km return (allow 30 mins) Class 3
A large swimming hole and sub-tropical rainforest featuring large red cedars, figs and a piccabeen palm grove are found here. Along the creek are tall forest oaks.
Cedar Grove hiking trail—4.6 km return (allow 4 hrs) Class 4
A hiking trail branches off the rainforest walk and through open forest and hoop pine plantations. The track crosses Amamoor Creek and returns to the camping area.
Walks from Amamoor Creek camping area
Amamoor Creek hiking trail—2.5 km (allow 2.5 hrs) Class 4
The track meanders through open, eucalypt forest and through forest with an interesting mix of rainforest plants that grow in drier areas on poor quality soils.
Picnic and day-use areas
Picnic facilities are provided beside Amamoor Creek at Amama day-use area. Facilities include barbecues, picnic tables, toilets and tap water. Bring your own fuel stove or clean, milled firewood.
Horse riding and bicycling
Horses and bicycles may be ridden on roads in these forests. A special permit is not required unless it is a commercial activity, an organised group activity or a competitive event.
Read about the horse riding trail networks in this region.
Things to know before you go
Essentials to bring
- Plan your trip carefully, be self-sufficient and ensure your vehicle is in good condition.
- Carry enough food, water, equipment and other supplies for your trip.
- Pack a first-aid kit, sunscreen, insect repellent, sturdy shoes, hat and raincoat.
- Bring suitable clothing. Temperatures in the area soar above 30 degrees Celsius in summer and drop below zero in winter. Nights can be cool at any time.
- Rubbish bins are not provided. Remove excess packaging when you pack for your trip. Bring rubbish bags, and take all recyclables and rubbish with you when you leave.
- Preferably bring and use fuel or gas stoves. If you do wish to use the barbecues provided, bring your own clean, milled firewood, as it is illegal to collect firewood from the forest.
Opening hours
These parks and forests are open 24 hours a day.
Permits and fees
You will need a camping permit if you wish to camp in forests or parks. Fees apply.
- Book your campsites online
- If you cannot book on line, see camping bookings for other options.
Pets
Dogs (on a leash) are permitted only at Amamoor Creek camping area. Dogs are not permitted in any other areas within Amamoor State Forest. Horses may be ridden on roads in these forests. Other domestic animals are not permitted.
Climate and weather
Temperatures in the area exceed 30 degrees Celsius in summer and drop below zero in winter. Nights can be cool at any time. For more information see the tourism information links below
Fuel and supplies
Fuel and supplies are available at Gympie and Amamoor. For more information see the tourism information links below.
Staying safe
Stay on track—tell a responsible person where you are going and when you should return. Wear sturdy shoes. Carry adequate clothing, water and snack food.
Supervise children—natural areas have hazards with which children are unfamiliar—creeks, cliff edges, stinging plants and defensive wildlife.
Human food is not for wildlife—it can cause overpopulation, illness and aggressive behaviour. Pack strong sealable bags or containers to store food and rubbish to keep it away from foraging wildlife.
Water hazards—never dive into creeks or rock pools, as they contain submerged rocks and logs. Water depth is unpredictable. Rock surfaces can be slippery.
Carry a first-aid kit—use repellent on exposed skin and shoes to discourage mosquitoes, leeches and ticks. Remove ticks immediately.
Treat all water—boil water for approximately three minutes to kill most pathogens or use water treatment tablets. Tank water is pumped from the creek and may contain organisms that can cause illness.
Take care with fire—use constructed fireplaces and make sure the fire is out before you leave. Preferably bring a fuel stove.
Avoid food poisoning—store food at appropriate temperatures and out of reach of foraging wildlife.
For more information about staying safe while visiting national parks, please read the guidelines Safety in parks and forests.
Looking after the park
Amama walk, Amamoor State Forest. Photo: Ross Naumann
Help protect our natural resources by leaving no trace of your visit.
Take all your rubbish out of the park. Reduce the rubbish you need to carry out by removing excess food packaging before you leave home.
Creeks near camping and picnic areas feed into the Mary River and on to domestic water supplies. Please keep them clean.
See Caring for parks and forests for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.
Park management
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) manages the camping areas and associated walking tracks. Forest Plantations Queensland manages the majority of the forest in this area.
Tourism information links
For more information about activities, tours and accommodation in this region, contact:
Gympie Tourist Information Centre
- 24 Bruce Highway, Lake Alford, Gympie, QLD 4570
- ph 1800 444 222
- email info@cooloola.org.au
Maroochy Tourism (6th Avenue Office)
- www.maroochytourism.com
- Cnr Melrose Pde and Sixth Avenue, Cotton Tree QLD 4558
- ph (07) 5479 1566 or 1800 882 032
- fax (07) 5479 1761
- email admin@maroochytourism.com
Tourism Sunshine Coast
For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au.
Further information
* Requires Adobe Reader
Last updated 14 October 2011