Mundubbera

Mundubbera

‘MUST DO’

Auburn River National Park – The 405 hectare national park features caves, rock pools and superb scenery and provides recreational activities including bush walking, swimming and rock climbing.

Mundubbera Regional Art Gallery – comprising of two galleries and foyer. Exhibitions by local and regional artists are held regularly. Open weekdays and Saturday (after hours by appointment).

Mundubbera 7-a-side Cricket – cricket tragics alert – watch out for the February date when teams from all over South East compete in what is becoming a well attended, action packed weekend.

Bicentennial Park- Bicentennial Park is located on the banks of the beautiful Burnett River where the ‘Arthur Dagg Walk’ winds down the riverbank for a closer look at the riverside flora and fauna. View the series of metal Sculptures that represent the natural and human heritage of the area. The Sensory Garden contains plants with distinctive scents and textures and is designed to be enjoyed by everyone including the visually impaired. The park is home to a steam train, a tree grown from a seed gathered from the Lone Pine at Gallipoli and the Heritage Information Centre which contains several displays on early settlement and various local industries. Electric barbecues, toilets and playground facilities are provided.

Museum- The Museum is full of echoes of times gone by. Appreciate the fascinating past of the pioneers of the district. Open on request, the museum houses historical machinery and buildings as well as many local collections.

Jaycee Park- Located 2km from the town centre on the A3 Burnett Highway Country Way, Jaycee Park is home to the famous Black Stump. Driver Reviver operates in the park during holiday periods. A sheltered picnic table, electric barbecue and toilet amenities are provided. A plaque of the history and botany of the Knobby Tree is also located in the park. Approximately 4.5km south of the park you pass the much photographed specimen of this unique ‘Footstep’ or Knobby Tree which dates back to early settlement.

Jones Weir & Apex Ski Area- Jones Weir is located on the Burnett River at Mundubbera. Built in 1951, the weir is stocked with Australian bass, barramundi and yellowbelly. Catfish, eel and spangled perch are also present. It is a scenic site for bird watching and fishing. Platypus and ceratodus, or lungfish, may be spotted.
Apex Ski Area, located 4km from Jones weir along Coonambula Road, is a popular year round recreation facility. Boating, fishing and water skiing all take place on the waters of Jones Weir. Facilities include jetty, barbecue area and toilets. Camping is prohibited.

Meeting Place of the Water’s Mural- Located in Strathdee Street, this eye catching circular mural was painted by Rain Hart in 1997. The mural features the meeting of the Boyne, Auburn and Burnett Rivers and the native fauna and flora found in the area.

Bugs for Bugs Insectary- Operating from the Old Butter Factory, Bugs for Bugs rears beneficial insects for use in biological control programs as an effective insecticide alternative. Weekly tours are available by appointment.

Riverside Motocross Raceway- adrenaline pumping excitement hits Mundubbera during the famous motocross races hosted several times a year. The all weather natural course is located approximately 2km from Mundubbera off Jack Parr Street.

Manar Tourist Park- Manar Park is a working cattle station that offers recreational trail/quad bike riding and four wheel driving. Cabins, camp sites and powered sites for caravans.

NATIONAL PARKS

Auburn River National Park- Auburn River is located about 225km west of Maryborough and 40km south-west of Mundubbera which is just off the A3 Burnett Highway. Travel 13km south along the Mundubbera-Durong Road to the Hawkwood Road intersection. Turn west along the Hawkwood Road for about 20km until you reach the Auburn River National Park turn-off. Drive a further 7km to the park along an unsealed road. Conventional vehicle access is possible. Four-wheel-drive is recommended in wet weather. Stay on the road, as soils are treacherous when wet.

The 405 hectare park features caves, rock pools and superb scenery and provides recreational activities including bush walking, swimming and rock climbing. When the river runs, it cascades over huge salmon coloured boulders and winds through the park, providing habitats for numerous birds, reptiles and mammals. Its banks are lined with bottlebrushes, flowering leptospermum shrubs and stunted figs.

Facilities

A basic camping area, picnic tables, gas barbecue and toilet facilities are provided on the northern bank of the Auburn River in a picturesque bush setting. Camping permits are required and fees apply. Ensure you carry adequate drinking water at all times as the river water is unsuitable to drink. The closest fuel, supplies and alternative accommodation are available in Mundubbera.
Walking

There are no graded walking tracks in Auburn River National Park, only rough footpads. Walks begin from the picnic and camping area. If you intend to bushwalk away from the trails below, obtain a topographic map from the QPWS Mundubbera office and ask for advice before setting off.

The following track classification system is based on Australian Standards –

1. Gorge Lookout — 600m return (Allow about 15 minutes) Class 3
This short stroll boasts impressive views across the river bed. Leave from the end of the carpark and walk the short distance to the unexpected Auburn River gorge. Look for the “Giant’s Chair” from the lookout or for a peregrine falcon’s nest — easily detected because of the telltale signs of “white-wash” marks on the cliff face below a collection of sticks and debris which make up the nest. This is a naturally occurring lookout — there are no handrails. Please supervise children at all times, especially near cliff tops.

2. Riverbed and rockpools — 1.5km return (Allow about 1 hour) Class 5
This is a strenuous walk and should only be attempted by fit walkers. Leaving the picnic and camping area, this rough track winds down the side of the gorge to the river bed, taking you through dry rainforest, eucalypt forest and creek vegetation. Notice the swollen trunks of the dominant bottle trees along the way. Take time to observe the immediate area to ensure you will be able to find the trail on your return. Take care when walking on wet rock surfaces, as they can be slippery.

3. Gorge-top walk — 3.2km return (Allow about 1.5 hours) Class 3 track
Follow the river bed on a gentle walk through open eucalypt forest along the top of the gorge. Rest awhile at the lookouts to take in spectacular views down the river, which flows over a series of cascades to the Auburn River Falls — best seen after heavy rain.