Tuan State Forest

What's special

Stretching from Tin Can Bay to Boonooroo in the coastal lowlands along the Great Sandy Strait, Tuan State Forest contains some of the most extensive exotic pine plantations in Queensland. The forest also has small coastal wallum remnants along creeks and estuaries. Tuan is a low-key holiday destination for people who love boating and fishing in the adjacent creeks and Great Sandy Strait.

Getting there

Tuan lies between the Tin Can Bay military training area and the township of Boonooroo. The forest is about 20 minutes' drive south-east of Maryborough.

From Maryborough, head towards Boonooroo then take the Cooloola Coast Road. Drive 19km along the Cooloola Coast Road to the Tinnanbar turnoff.

From south Gympie, take the Tincan Bay-Rainbow Beach turn off and follow for approximately 40kms. Turn left on to Cooloola Coast and travel 23kms towards Maryborough to the Tinnanbar turnoff (on the right).

The Log Dump turnoff is 7km along the gravel Tinnanbar road and the Hedleys turnoff is a further 4.7km. The Log Dump and Hedleys camping areas are 1km and 3km off the Tinnanbar Road. Last reliable mobile phone reception is on the Cooloola Coast Road.

A wildflower reserve is along the Tinnanbar Road. All sites are dirt road access and may be inaccessible in wet weather.

Registered vehicles, horses and bicycles may be driven or ridden on formed roads in this forest. A special permit is not required unless it is a commercial activity, an organised group activity or a competitive event.

Conditionally registered vehicles are not permitted. The driver must hold a valid licence to operate the vehicle.

Exploring Tuan

Enjoy the wildflower display late winter and spring. Go birdwatching in the nearby Great Sandy Conservation Park along Tinnanbar Road.

Go canoeing along the creeks. Wear insect protection when canoeing or camping.

Choose from two QPWS camping areas in the forest. Both have water frontage. The Log Dump on Kauri Creek is the only camping area with a toilet. Boat ramp facilities are also available.

Access to Hedleys camping area is by car through private property, or by boat. An additional fee is payable to the owners if entering by road through private property.

Camping permits are required and fees apply.

Book your campsite online
If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.

Campers who want a campfire must bring their own untreated milled timber (e.g. mill off-cuts) and use the fire rings provided, as this reduces the risk of introducing pests and diseases into the park. Do not use bush timber. Visitors are reminded that all plants in the protected area, including dead trees and fallen limbs, are protected by law and therefore cannot be cut or collected.

Firewood and block ice are available from the private residence at Hedleys only.

Bring your own drinking water supply.

Dogs are allowed on leashes.

Take your rubbish with you.