Outback - Experience the Outback - National Parks
National Parks
Queensland's Outback is a special place, full of history and friendly characters who will show the way and extend a friendly hand. Its environment is characterised by the clear night sky embedded with sparkling stars. The red earth shimmers under golden sunsets. Cool billabongs with masses of delicate water lilies attract flocks of colourful parrots that fly in to refresh and seek shade after a long flight. Great herds of prime beef cattle grow fat on Mitchell grass and sheep paw the ground indignantly as they wait their turn to enter the shearing shed.
These are the images of life in the Outback that beckon increasing numbers of city dwellers and overseas visitors in search of the very fabric that was once the over-riding symbol of this great land. Situated on the Diamantina River south-east of Kynuna, Combo Waterholes are believed to be the site that inspired Banjo Paterson to write Waltzing Matilda while on a visit to Dagworth Station in 1895.
Combo Waterhole Conservation Park contains a string of semi-permanent coolibah-lined lagoons in outback Queensland. Combo Waterhole is on one of Queensland's longest rivers, the Diamantina. The park is a wildlife refuge, especially in dry times.
Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park is one of Queensland's most scenic national parks. Situated within the remote north-west Highlands of Queensland, the park features spectacular gorge country and sandstone ranges. The gorge is formed by Lawn Hill Creek which is fed by numerous freshwater springs from the limestone plateau to the west. The magnitude of the sandstone cliffs lining the gorge, its emerald green waters and lush vegetation make it a photographer's delight.
Located within the south-eastern section of Boodjamulla National Park is the World Heritage Area of The Australian Fossil Mammal Site (Riversleigh). Riversleigh was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1994 for its outstanding natural universal values. It is one of the most significant fossil deposits in the world and the richest known fossil mammal deposit in Australia. It has revealed records of Gondwana life forms which existed prior to the break up of this ancient continent. Visit Queensland Walks for detailed information on a range of walks in the Outback region.
