About Combo Waterhole

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

Parks of the Diamantina Catchment - park maps (PDF, 365K)*

Combo Waterhole Conservation Park is part of the Diamantina catchment area. To help you plan your visit, go to the Parks of Central West Queensland.

Combo Waterhole Conservation Park is just south of Kynuna and 132 km north-west of Winton. Turn south off the Landsborough Highway 13 km south of Kynuna and follow the short drive to the park. You can access the park with a conventional vehicle, however four-wheel drive is recommended. Vehicles are not permitted beyond the car park. Follow the self-guided walking track to Combo Waterhole on foot, discovering the story of Waltzing Matilda.

Even small amounts of rain can make roads impassable so always be prepared and have at least a week’s worth of extra supplies in case of stranding. Check with Queensland Transport or local council offices for current road conditions before your trip.

Wheelchair accessibility

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities in Combo Waterhole Conservation Park.

Park features

Combo Waterhole Conservation Park gets its name from the most famous of the many waterholes found within this 49 ha park. Did the jolly swagman camp by Combo Waterhole? We will probably never know, but the waterholes of this 49 ha park offer a refuge for wildlife in dry times, just as they provided shady picnic spots in 1895 for stagecoach passengers and the residents of neighbouring Dagworth Station.

The Koa Aboriginal people were the first to follow the Diamantina River—a web of life that traverses the land in braided channels—pioneering paths of trade and travel. Explorers followed, then settlers brought sheep and cattle and established a stock route. Cobb and Co. teams trotted close behind. Today visitors can explore the historic stone-pitched overshots and the most readily accessible Mitchell grass downs in the area.

Read more about the nature, culture and history of Central West Queensland parks.

Camping and accommodation

Camping

Camping is prohibited at Combo Waterhole Conservation Park. Nearby Kynuna offers camping facilities.

Other accommodation

There is a range of accommodation in and around Longreach, Winton, Kynuna and McKinley. See tourism information links for further information.

Things to do

Walking

When walking, wear sun protection and sturdy shoes, carry plenty of water, and follow other safety advice.

Combo Waterhole—2.6 km return (allow 1.5 hours) Grade: Easy

Discover the history surrounding this park while you walk along the self-guided walking track to Combo Waterhole. The track begins at the car park and takes you through Mitchell grass downs and across stone-pitched overshots and the Diamantina River's braided channels to this famous waterhole. Please be aware this track floods after rain. Do not attempt to cross the flooded creek.

Picnic and day-use areas

Bring a blanket and picnic in the shade of a coolibah tree once you reach the historic waterhole. Picnic tables and a pit toilet are the only facilities provided. Please take your rubbish with you when you leave—no bins are provided.

Viewing wildlife

Combo Waterhole is a wildlife refuge, particularly in dry times. Birdwatching is particularly good at this park. You may see Australian pranticoles on your drive in. These attractive birds have long legs suited to open country where they feed and nest. Some migrate between Australia and Indonesia or New Guinea. Listen for the tiny weebill's call—surprisingly far-carrying for such a small bird. Rainbow bee-eaters, sacred kingfishers and spotted harriers have all been seen in this park. Many more bird species can be seen and heard along the waterway.

Although many parks in Central West Queensland have Mitchell grass plains, you can walk through them at Combo Waterhole Conservation Park.

Species lists are available from the Wildlife Online web page.

Things to know before you go

Combo Waterhole Conservation Park is close to Kynuna, but you must be self-sufficient and prepared for emergencies.

Essentials to bring

Although not as remote as other Central West Queensland parks, unexpected rain and flooding can cut road access. We strongly suggest you take the following:

Adequate water, food and emergency supplies. Carry at least seven litres of water per person per day and enough emergency food and water for at least seven days in case of stranding.
Fuel stove. No fires are permitted in Combo Waterhole Conservation Park.
Complete first-aid kit. Include sun and insect protection in your kit.
UHF, satellite phone and/or an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). Mobile phone coverage is poor or not available in most areas of Combo Waterhole Conservation Park.
Extra fuel and vehicle repairs. Frequent low gear and four-wheel-drive travel will use fuel more quickly on park drives. You should also bring vehicle repair tools, spare tyres, oil and engine coolant.

Opening hours

Combo Waterhole Conservation Park is open all year round, however wet weather may cause temporary closures. Check park alerts or contact us for information on park conditions and closures.

Permits and fees

Commercial photography permits may be required if you intend to sell any photographs taken of Queensland’s parks and forests. Group activity permits may be required for organised group activities that may interfere with general public use. Contact us for further information.

Pets

Domestic animals are not permitted in Combo Waterhole Conservation Park.

Climate and weather

Visiting is recommended from April to September as summer temperatures reach over 40 °C during the day, and summer rains often cause flooding. Rain can fall at any time of year and flooding can occur up to two weeks after rain elsewhere in the catchment, resulting in unexpected creek rises and road closures.

Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meterology.

Fuel and supplies

The nearest fuel and supplies are at Kynuna (13 km) or Winton (132 km).

Staying safe

This park is remote and rangers may not be on park to help you. You must be self-sufficient and prepared for emergencies.

It is vitally important that you read staying safe in Parks of Central West Queensland.

In an emergency

In an emergency, phone Triple Zero (000), and if this fails try 112. You could also contact the Kynuna Police Station on (07) 4746 8777, or scan UHF channels for local radio traffic.

Looking after the park

Everything in Combo Waterhole Conservation Park is protected, including plants, animals and heritage sites and artefacts. Please appreciate, respect and help care for Combo Waterhole’s outstanding natural and cultural values by leaving things as you find them, and encouraging others to do the same.

Please read looking after Central West Queensland parks.

Park management

Each park in Central West Queensland has unique attributes. They are managed to conserve their natural condition and protect their cultural resources and values.

Longreach Regional Council
www.longreach.qld.gov.au
96a Eagle Street, Longreach
ph (07) 4658 4111
fax (07) 4658 4116
email assist@longreach.qld.gov.au

For information on road conditions contact:

Queensland Transport
www.131940.qld.gov.au
Phone 13 19 40 for 24-hour road reports.

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au

Further information

Contact us

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Last updated 9 January 2012