About Byfield

Park features

Byfield National Park covers over 15,000ha. Massive parabolic sand dunes—the oldest reaching 5–6km inland—occupy most of the southern part of the park. In the north, the rugged pinnacles of The Peaks and Mount Atherton dominate the landscape. Byfield national and conservation parks boast outstanding coastal scenery.

These parks conserve large areas of coastal heath growing on low-nutrient dune sands. Tall eucalypt woodlands flourish in sheltered areas and rainforests thrive where there is abundant water. The area also supports many migratory and resident birds.

• Read more about wetlands in the broader Byfield area.

In the state forest, the coastal range rises from the southern and western part of Byfield State Forest while the northern and eastern parts feature large areas of wallum swamp that are inaccessible during the wet season. Pockets of rainforest thrive on the range and along Water Park Creek, a major stream that feeds into Corio Bay. The area has about 7,000ha of exotic pine plantation and 17,000ha of native forest. Byfield State Forest is used for a variety of recreation and commercial activities including camping, picnicking, walking, four-wheel driving, boating and fishing. Commercial activities include stock grazing, beekeeping and harvesting Byfield fern Bowenia serrulata for sale to florists.

Looking after the park

Parks and forests protect Queensland's wonderful natural diversity and scenery. Follow these guidelines to help protect the area's natural and cultural heritage for the future. Please encourage others to do the same.

Take care with fire

Remember, different fire restrictions apply throughout Byfield's camping areas.

• Preferably use a portable gas or fuel stove. This reduces fire danger and eliminates the need for firewood.
• Where permitted, keep fires small, safe and in designated areas. Fires are permitted at:
  • Nine Mile Beach camping areas—in your own fire container only. You must bring your own fire container and take it and all coals home with you. Fire containers must have legs to keep the fire off the ground and sides must be fully enclosed.
  • Water Park Creek, Upper Stony and Red Rock camping areas—in designated fire rings provided.
• Bring only clean, milled timber for firewood. Bush wood from outside the park or forest is not permitted as it can bring disease and pests. Collecting wood and kindling from Byfield parks and forests is also prohibited.
• Always extinguish a fire with water before going to bed or leaving the site to reduce the risk of wildfire.
• Campfires are not permitted during total fire prohibitions (QPWS) or total fire bans imposed by Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES).

Remember to follow the Parks and forest camp fires and cooking guidelines.

Protect our waterways

• Avoid contaminating water. Take water at least 50m away from creeks to wash yourself and your cooking utensils. Do not use detergents, soaps or shampoos in waterways. Bury toilet waste at least 15cm deep and 50m from waterways.
• Practice responsible fishing. Use lures or dead bait as live species may escape and establish a pest population. Comply with size and bag limits to help preserve fish stocks.

Practice low-impact camping

• Use designated camping areas and existing camp sites. Altering or establishing new camp sites can cause long-term damage. Avoid tying things to or draping them over vegetation.
• Keep camping areas hygienic. Use toilets where provided—please do not throw rubbish or chemical waste down them as they will stop working. Where no toilets are provided, bury only non-chemical waste and paper at least 15cm deep and 50m from waterways. Alternatively, bring a portable camping toilet and dispose of toilet waste at home.
• Leave no trace. Leave your camp site cleaner than you found it. Bag all rubbish and take it home for recycling or disposal.
• Keep to designated tracks. Walking or driving off designated tracks damages vegetation that is slow to recover and may damage important cultural sites. Authorised vehicle tracks are clearly indicated by signage throughout the park.
• Limit the spread of weeds and soil pathogens. Ensure your camping gear, boots and tyres are clean and free of seeds, soil and insects (including ants and their eggs) before visiting Byfield.
• Keep wildlife wild. Avoid attracting scavengers, including dingoes, and keep all your food and scraps in animal-proof containers at all times.
• Leave your pets at home. You will protect your pet and native wildlife. Domestic dogs are only permitted at Red Rock and must be on a leash and under control at all times.
• Keep noise and light levels low. You will encounter more native animals during your stay and avoid disturbing other campers.

See caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

Byfield Waste Management Facility (Transfer Station)

Opening hours

Tuesday 2.30pm–5.30pm
Thursday 2.30pm–5.30pm
Saturday 8am–12noon
Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Park management

Managing the Byfield area

Byfield’s parks and forests form part of the last remaining undeveloped areas on the Central Queensland coast. The area is managed with government agencies and local community groups to conserve the natural and cultural values of the area and protect life and property.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is responsible for managing Byfield National Park, Byfield Conservation Park and the native forest and visitor areas of Byfield State Forest.

QPWS jointly manages Byfield State Forest with HQPlantations Queensland which is responsible for commercial forestry operations.

All coastal waters adjacent to the Byfield area, including Corio Bay, are protected marine parks and part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The department is responsible for managing the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park and jointly manages the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA).

Tourism information links

Capricorn Coast Visitor Information Centre
www.visitcapricorn.com.au
Scenic Highway, Yeppoon QLD 4703
Phone: (07) 4939 4888 or 1800 675 785
Email: yeppoon@capricorntourism.com.au

Explore Rockhampton Visitor Information Centre
www.explorerockhampton.com.au
176 Gladstone Road, Rockhampton Qld 4700
ph: (07) 4936 8000
email: tourism@rrc.qld.gov.au

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.