About Deepwater
- Looking after the park
- 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
Looking after the park
Deepwater National Park is located south of Agnes Water.
From Agnes Water
Note: access from the north is by four-wheel-drive (4WD) only.
At Agnes Water continue along Springs Road for 4 km, then follow the unsealed, sand track to the park's northern boundary. Wreck Rock camping area is 17 km south of Agnes Water. Middle Rock camping area is 14 km south of Agnes Water.
From Bundaberg
Note: access from the south is by four-wheel-drive (4WD) only. Check park alerts before travelling as road conditions can change.
From Bundaberg, take the Rosedale–Seventeen Seventy Road (sometimes signposted as 1770) approximately 58 km to Berajondo. Turn right into Tablelands Road, 500 m before Berajondo. Travel along Tablelands Road for 2.8 km and turn right into Hills Road. Proceed for 19.2 km to a T-junction. Turn right into Coast Road and follow it for 5.6 km. Just before Wartburg, turn left into Fernfield Road. Travel 7.5 km then turn left into Deepwater Road. Follow the road 10.5 km, cross the concrete ford, swing right and then turn immediately left into Wreck Rock Road. From here the park boundary is 2 km, the Wreck Rock camping area turnoff is 5.5 km and Middle Rock camping area a further 3 km.
Wheelchair accessibility
There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities or tracks at Deepwater National Park.
Park features
Deepwater Creek is fringed by tall forests of swamp mahogany, paperbark and cabbage palms. Photo: DERM.
The park's diverse vegetation of coastal scrubs, eucalypt woodlands, wet heaths and sedgelands surround Deepwater Creek and its tributaries. Tannins and other substances leached from surrounding heath plants stain the creek water brown. The creek is fringed by tall forests of swamp mahogany, paperbark and cabbage palms, and is broken in places by shallow sections of reed bed and paperbark forest. In these areas water only flows during the wet season.
Deepwater supports diverse birdlife such as emus, red-tailed black-cockatoos, honeyeaters, brahminy kites and waterbirds. From January to April, turtle hatchlings emerge from the nests, usually at night.
- Read more about the nature, culture and history of Deepwater National Park.
Camping and accommodation
Camping
Vehicle-based camping is permitted at Wreck Rock and Middle Rock camping areas. All tracks in Deepwater are accessible only to 4WDs. Check park alerts for Deepwater National Park before leaving.
Basic facilities are provided at Wreck Rock camping area and there are no facilities at Middle Rock camping area.
You must book in advance to camp in Deepwater National Park as sites are limited. You cannot self-register at the camping areas. Plan well ahead to camp during peak periods such as school holidays—bookings are accepted up to three months in advance.
Camping permits are required and fees apply.
- Find out more about camping in Deepwater National Park.
- Book your camp site online.
- If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.
Other accommodation
There are several privately run bed and breakfasts, lodges and resorts around Deepwater National Park. Hotel, motel, resort, bed and breakfast and caravan park accommodation is available at Agnes Water, Seventeen Seventy, Miriam Vale and Bundaberg. For more information see the tourism information links.
Things to do
Walking
There are no formed walking tracks in Deepwater National Park. Instead visitors can walk along the vehicle-free beach from Wreck Rock or along the access road through the park. Take time to discover Deepwater's plants and animals and to absorb its peaceful atmosphere. Watch for traffic if walking along any roads.
Picnic and day-use areas
A picnic area is situated at Wreck Rock. Picnic tables, untreated tap water and toilets are available. Treat all tap water before drinking or bring your own drinking water. Take a fuel or gas stove for cooking. No bins are provided—take your rubbish with you when you leave.
Boating and fishing
The coastal waters adjacent to Deepwater National Park are within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Please ensure you are aware of the marine park zones and their restrictions before you go boating and fishing. For detailed zoning maps and information visit the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
In camping areas, treat all refuse from fish cleaning as rubbish, and remove it from the park.
On the beach, all refuse from fish cleaning, including offal, scales and unused bait, should be buried at least 30 cm deep, below the high tide line.
Bag and size limits apply. For details of bag and size limits for popular fish species see Fisheries Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation.
Viewing wildlife
Bring your binoculars and a bird field guide to help you identify Deepwater's diverse birdlife. From January to April, marine turtle hatchlings emerge, usually at night, from their nests. Goannas are frequent visitors to the camping areas. Please do not feed the goannas. It can make them sick and encourages them to scrounge around your camp site, making a mess.
- See the description of the park's natural environment for more details about Deepwater's diverse wildlife.
Other things to do
If you swim, remember this beach is unpatrolled and there may be rips and sharks. Beware of marine stingers between November and May. See marine stingers for the latest safety advice.
Things to know before you go
Essentials to bring
- Bring a fuel or gas stove for cooking and test it before you leave home. Campfires are not permitted in camping areas.
- Bring your own drinking water and containers. The only permanent water supply is at Wreck Rock camping area. Where supplied, water is untreated so treat it before drinking.
- Be aware that medical help may be hours away in the event of an accident. Carry a well-equipped first-aid kit.
- Reduce packaging before you leave home. Bring heavy-duty bags or containers to store your rubbish. No bins are provided—take your rubbish with you when you leave.
- Sandflies, mosquitoes and sun are all part of coastal camping so ensure you pack insect repellent, sunscreen and protective clothing (including hats and shoes) to avoid bites, stings and sunburn.
- Bring your camera and binoculars for viewing wildlife. A torch, preferably with a red filter to protect animal eyes, is useful for spotlighting at night.
- Ensure your vehicle is mechanically sound and check park alerts for the latest information on road conditions, particularly after wet weather. Road conditions can change. A 4WD is recommended for all roads.
Opening hours
Deepwater National Park is open 24 hours a day. For your safety, walk in daylight hours only.
Permits and fees
Camping permits are required and fees apply. A camping tag with your booking number must be displayed at your camp site.
- Book your camp site online.
- If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.
Remember: camping fees must be paid before camping overnight. If you wish to extend your stay, you must make another booking.
Pets
Domestic animals are not permitted in Deepwater National Park.
Climate and weather
Deepwater National Park has a mild subtropical climate. The summers can be hot and humid even in the evenings, with a maximum of 33 °C during the day and a minimum of 15 °C at night. Winters are pleasantly mild, reaching a maximum of 26 °C during the day and dropping to a cool 7 °C at night. Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Fuel and supplies
The closest fuel and supplies are available from Miriam Vale, Agnes Water, Baffle Creek and Bundaberg. For more information see the tourism information links.
Staying safe
To enjoy a safe visit to this area, please:
- Drive safely and watch out for the unexpected—slow down to allow time to react to changed road conditions and other park users.
- Abide by warning, advisory and park closure notices. Access to protected areas may not be permitted in wet weather.
- Coastal waters in this area can be treacherous and people have drowned. Strong currents and sharks occur. Beware of marine stingers between October and May. See marine stingers for the latest safety advice. The only patrolled swimming beach is the main beach at Agnes Water.
- Do not feed or leave food for animals—human food can harm wildlife and cause some animals to become aggressive. Keep your food packed away when your camp site is not attended—very determined goannas are common here.
- Always carry drinking water.
- Walk in daylight hours only. If you intend to walk off-track, obtain a topographic map and ask for advice before setting off. Before you leave, tell friends or family where you are going and when you expect to return.
Thefts have occurred in this area. Help stop car crime.
- Lock your car.
- Remove your keys.
- Remove all valuables—this includes garage remotes.
In an emergency
In case of accident or other emergency please:
- Call Triple Zero (000) or try 112 if this fails
- advise the location and nature of the emergency
- stay on the phone until you are told to hang up.
The nearest hospital is in Bundaberg or Gladstone. Mobile phone coverage is not reliable in Deepwater National Park.
For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.
Looking after the park
You can help protect the park by observing these guidelines:
- Please leave all plants and animals undisturbed.
- Keep your vehicle on the tracks. Shortcutting and venturing off the track creates impacts such as erosion and soil hardening. Vehicles are not permitted on beaches.
- Use toilets if available. Otherwise, bury toilet waste at least 15 cm deep and 50 m from tracks, camps and waterways. Carry out disposable nappies and sanitary products.
- When bathing or washing cooking equipment or clothes, always wash at least 100 m from streams and lakes. Waterways should be kept free of all pollutants including soap, detergents, shampoo, sunscreens and food scraps.
- Remember: generators are prohibited in Deepwater National Park’s camping areas.
See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.
Park management
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service manages Deepwater National Park under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 to preserve and present its important natural and cultural values in perpetuity.
The national park will be managed in accordance with the Protected areas in the Agnes Water/1770 area Management Plan (PDF, 43M)*.
Read more about the nature, culture and history of Deepwater National Park.
Tourism information links
Bundaberg West Visitor Information Centre
www.bundabergregion.org
271 Bourbong Street
Bundaberg, Qld 4670
ph (07) 4153 8888
email callcentre@bundabergregion.org
For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au.
Further information
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Last updated 14 February 2012