Dandabah Camping Area Bunya Mountains National Park
Positioned as the heart of the visitor hub in the magnificent Bunya Mountains National Park, the Dandabah camping area offers the perfect blend of natural immersion and convenient access to amenities. This is the main and most popular campground in the park, ideal for families, first-time visitors, and those who appreciate the comfort of a hot shower after a long day of hiking. Set amidst towering bunya pines and frequented by a friendly population of wallabies and pademelons, Dandabah provides an unforgettable wildlife experience right at your campsite. The constant presence of brilliantly coloured king parrots and rosellas adds to the vibrant, living atmosphere of this special place.
Unlike the more remote camps in the park, Dandabah’s greatest strength is its location. It is just a short, easy stroll from the main visitor centre, the national park headquarters, a tavern, and two cafes, including one famous for its bunya nut scones. This proximity means a hot coffee or a hearty meal is never far away. The campground itself is the starting point for the two most popular walking circuits: the Scenic Circuit, which winds through stunning rainforest and past waterfalls, and the Bunya Bunya track. With facilities including flushing toilets, coin-operated hot showers, and electric barbecues, it provides a higher level of comfort than other camps in the park. The sites are open and grassy, suitable for a range of setups from tents to small caravans. For a comfortable, convenient, and thoroughly enchanting mountain camping holiday, Dandabah is the definitive choice.
Dandabah Camping Area
Site Information
- Location: The main visitor hub of the Bunya Mountains National Park.
- Site Suitable For: Tents, camper trailers, and small to medium-sized caravans and motorhomes.
- Road Access: Sealed, narrow, and winding mountain road. Check size restrictions before booking.
- Site Surface: Grass.
- Camping Permitted: Yes, a permit is required and must be booked online in advance.
- Maximum Overnight Stays: Check the National Parks website for current limits.
- Number of Un-powered Sites: A number of designated, unpowered sites are available.
Facilities
- Facilities: Flushing toilets, coin-operated hot showers, picnic tables, electric and wood-fired barbecues.
- Picnic Tables: Yes, available throughout the area.
- Potable Water: Yes, available but boiling before drinking is recommended.
- Mobile Phone Coverage: Limited, but some service (mainly Telstra) is available around the village area.
- TV Reception: No.
- Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
- Rubbish Bins: No. This is a pack-it-in, pack-it-out park. All rubbish must be taken with you.
- Open Fires: Permitted only in the designated fireplaces provided. Bring your own clean-milled firewood.
- Generator Use: Not permitted.
- Number of Sites Available: Booking online in advance is essential as this is a very popular site.
Visitor Information
- Essentials to Bring: Coins for showers, clean-milled firewood, warm clothing, and rubbish bags.
- Pet Friendly: STRICTLY NO PETS ALLOWED in National Parks.
- Fishing: No fishing within the national park.
- Short Walks: Excellent. This is the starting point for the most popular walking tracks in the park.
Local Amenities
- Local Pubs:
- The Bunyas Tavern (on the mountain, approx. 200 m)
- Maidenwell Hotel (at the base of the mountains, approx. 35 km)
- Club Hotel, Kumbia (approx. 35 km)
- Places to Eat:
- Poppies on the Hill Cafe (on the mountain, approx. 150 m)
- The Bunyas Restaurant (on the mountain, approx. 200 m)
- Local Attractions:
- Bunya Mountains walking tracks (direct access)
- Bunya Mountains Visitor Centre (approx. 100 m)
- Wildlife viewing (wallabies, pademelons, birds are abundant in this area)
- Local arts and crafts shops (approx. 150 m)
- Nearest Caravan Parks:
- This is the main camping area. Other national park camps are Burtons Well and Westcott.
- Nearest commercial parks are in towns like Dalby or Nanango (approx. 60 km).
- Next Free Camps:
- Maidenwell Rec Reserve (donation, approx. 35 km).
- Nearest Dump Points:
- Dalby, Nanango, or Kingaroy (all approx. 60-70 km).
- Nearest Petrol Station:
- No petrol is available on the mountain. Arrive with a full tank. Nearest is in Maidenwell or Kumbia (approx. 35 km).
- Drinking Water Resupply:
- Available at the campground.
- Nearest Public Toilets:
- Available on-site at the campground.
Seasonal Weather Forecast: Bunya Mountains
- Autumn/Winter (April – September): The days are crisp, clear, and cool to mild, perfect for walking. Nights are cold, with frequent frosts and ideal conditions for campfires.
- Spring/Summer (October – March): The weather is pleasantly warm and much cooler than the surrounding plains. This is the wet season, so expect a higher chance of rain, mist, and afternoon storms, which keep the rainforest vibrant.