Granite Country & Rock Pools: A Quick Guide to Crows Nest National Park

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I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the area that Crow's Nest National Park is located on. I acknowledge their deep and ongoing connection to Country, and pay my respects to their Elders past and present.

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Crows Nest is very compact national park relatively close to Brisbane that offers surprisingly pretty views over a creek gorge.

With only a couple of short hiking trails and some rock pools, this little gem of a national park is great for a relaxing weekend away or a short stopover on a longer inland road trip.

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CROWS NEST NATIONAL PARK: TIPS FOR YOUR FIRST VISIT

Located just outside the small town of Crows Nest and about 50km from Toowoomba, the national park is a great spot for cooling down in the summer (depending on rainfall).

It also offers some dramatic lookouts over impressive rocky granite country that is reminiscent of places like Sundown National Park and the Scenic Rim.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Crows Nest National Park is great at any time of the year.

Summer can be hot (mid-30°Cs) and potentially dry. But you may also be lucky enough to get enough of the summer rains and storms that the waterfalls flow nicely.

Winter, on the other hand, is on the chillier side but days should be gorgeous and clear.

Depending on the time of year, you may only find semi-stagnant water in the rock pools at Crows Nest.

We camped at Crows Nest in mid-January following a few days of reasonably heavy rain, and found the creek and rock pools flowing enough to be inviting for a swim.

HOW TO GET TO CROWS NEST

Located about 50km north of Toowoomba, the national park is only a few kilometres outside the town of Crows Nest.

So at no point are you exactly far from civilisation. That also means a fair few day visitors but then they also disappear after dark.

From Brisbane, it’s only a 2-hour drive and makes for an easy destination for a weekend camping trip in southeast Queensland.

All roads into and in the national park are sealed so any standard 2WD gvehicle is fine here.

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CAMPING AT CROWS NEST NATIONAL PARK

Though not as tiny as other national parks (Dalrymple National Park near Charters Towers would take the cake for that), Crows Nest has one small camping area, Crows Nest Falls.

There are 13 sites in total, some larger than others. Site #7 would be the pick of the bunch for shade and separation but it’s small and only suitable for a tent or a compact campervan.

The setup of the whole area is a bit weird as the camping area is circular with the toilet block smack bang in the middle. It’s like everyone is sitting around a campfire, except the campfire is the toilet facilities. This results in a decided lack of privacy—your neighbours may be right next to you, much like in a caravan park (albeit a greener one).

Even though you’re so close to town, facilities are basic with compost toilets, shower cubicles for DIY showers and (unfiltered) water available.

To be honest, we didn’t love camping here. It’s probably completely fine if it’s quiet or if there’s one other neighbour across the camping area but the setup is just a bit weird otherwise.

Plus, it was a bit noisy with music blaring from one of the neighbours (my pet peeve), and a new neighbour on the last night deciding to watch TV in his caravan all afternoon and evening. Why you would do that in a national park escapes me.

Remember to pre-book your camping spot and camp responsibly (take your rubbish with you, don’t collect firewood in the national park, etc.).

If you’re short on time, you can just stop by Crows Nest for the day. There are also picnic tables and BBQs in the lovely grassy day-use area.

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A FEW THINGS TO PACK FOR CROWS NEST

Beyond your camping gear, you really don’t need anything special when heading to Crows Nest but a couple of things will come in useful around the rock pools:

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CROWS NEST NATIONAL PARK: WALKS, LOOKOUTS AND ROCK POOLS

Besides hitting the hiking trails and marvelling at the dramatic lookouts, you may also want to take a dip in one of the waterholes to cool off.

What’s more, Crows Nest National Park is home to what feels like a million kookaburras. If you’ve never seen these gorgeous creatures up close, Crows Nest will practically serve them up on a platter for you. Right in the campground. 

You can knock over the walks and lookouts relatively quickly. In fact, you can easily combine the two main walks into one slightly longer hike (about 5km) if you’re short on time. They’re straightforward tracks with a few steps and a short uphill section at the end to Koonin Lookout.

Both walks are connected and start at the day-use area.

CROWS NEST FALLS LOOKOUT LOOP

If walking clockwise, you first walk out to the lookout at Crows Nest Falls.

Unfortunately, you can’t see the falls terribly well (unless they’re gushing and it’s pouring rain) but the view into the waterhole surrounded by steep granite cliffs is quite something.

Don’t be tempted to scramble around here; people have died as signs attest.

On the way back, loop along Crows Nest Creek past Bottlebrush Pool—a lovely spot for a tranquil swim—and Kauyoo Pool, which may or may not have enough water for a splash down depending on recent rain.

And finally, you’ll hit The Cascades.

The Cascades were actually my favourite spot here, both for how the water tumbles over the rocky creek bed and for the chance to cool down and get a waterfall massage at the bottom rock pool.

Even though the campground was fairly busy, plus plenty of day visitors, we somehow had The Cascades and Kauyoo Pool all to ourselves every single afternoon.

If you don’t want to do the whole loop to Crows Nest Falls, you can just walk to the creek and enjoy the cascading falls. There’s a little beach-y area along the creek as well.

KOONIN LOOKOUT

For Koonin Lookout, either follow the same trail as for Crows Nest Falls Lookout, or take the pool loop. Both will get you there, the pool loop is slightly longer.

From Crows Nest Falls, the hike is slightly uphill through open forest but it’s still very family-friendly.

Continue on through forest until you reach a granite outcrop culminating in impressive views over the Valley of Diamonds.

TOP OF THE CASCADES (~0.5KM RETURN)

Not an official walk but a quick side trip leads you to the top of The Cascades.

You hop—or maybe scramble—across Crows Nest Creek just after the fork at the start of the walks by taking the loop track. There are usually some large fallen logs to help you across, or you can just wade through if the creek’s not too deep.

This will take you to the top of The Cascades and offers lovely views down and into the creek gorge. Just be careful, you don’t want to slip here and tumble down.

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WRAPPING UP

Though it’s a tiny national park, we actually really enjoyed Crows Nest (minus the camping area setup, which is just ho-hum unless it wasn’t busy).

It’s great for a weekend away if you don’t mind close quarters. Outside of school holidays and long weekends, Crows Nest National Park is probably super quiet if you come mid-week.

The walks are short but they offer surprisingly interesting scenery for such a small park.

 If you’re keen to camp and explore other spots close to Brisbane, you could head to Gold Coast hinterland for both Springbrook National Park and Lamington National Park. For more rugged granite country, Girraween National Park near Stanthorpe is another excellent option, while the Bunya Mountains are further inland and offer a plateau experience.

Happy exploring,

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