Things to do at Crows Nest National Park

Crows Nest National Park is my all-time favourite secret summer adventure spot. Only a 45-minute drive from Toowoomba, this nature escape holds a cluster of natural waterholes, perfect for families or swimmers retreating from the heat.

What to do:

Swim

As you wander down the sandy paths, a couple of side tracks lead to cool waterholes.

• Cascades is the perfect spot for log balancing and rock scrambling your way down to Kauyoo Pool. Alternatively, you can take the walking track down to its entrance. When the water has been flowing, there’s a lovely waterfall pouring into the shallow pool. Even if it’s been a dry season, the colourful pink marble-looking rocks are stunning to scramble over down to a sandy, dried-up pool bed.

• Bottlebrush Pool is the second main waterhole you’ll cross on the track. Follow the steps down to find plenty of places to sit or chuck your t-shirt while you strip off to take a dip. Bottlebrush Pool is perfect for families with varying water depths for Mum and Dad to stand in or the kids to wade around.

Hike

1. Crows Nest Falls Lookout

   1km down the track from the car park, past Bottlebrush Pool, is Crows Nest Falls lookout. This stunning watering hole is the largest of them all, but is unfortunately closed to swimmers due to terminal cliff jumping accidents. Again, when the water is flowing, the falls are a hidden treat.

2. Koonin Lookout

   If you’re up for a wander, Koonin Lookout is well worth the trek. Follow the undulating 4.5km return trail through the eucalyptus forest to be rewarded with a quiet viewpoint overlooking Crows Nest National Park. For golden skies and solitude, the best time to take in the valley views is dawn and dusk.

3. Valley of Diamonds

   For the “off the beaten path adventurers”, there is a longer day hike from the Crows Nest Falls car park that winds through the Valley of Diamonds to Perseverance Dam. This day hike is a combination of boulder hopping, scrambling and bush bashing.

   • Duration: 7.8km return.

   • Time: 5- 7hrs.

   • Elevation: 280m.

   • Trail: Hard.

   • Please note this trail does not have a maintained path and requires experienced navigational skills. See this example for the trail details

   • Take note, Perseverance Dam is a water reservoir, and although super enticing after a hot walk, it is prohibited to swim in. Depending on the recent rainfall, this circuit may have pools deep enough to dip in along the way.
     
     See the park map here

What will I see?

1. Wildlife
   Crows Nest National Park is home to some cool Australian animals. While rock scrambling, keep your eyes out for Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies and Swamp Wallabies. If you’re lucky and quiet, you may even cross paths with a shy echidna or platypus. And Australian bird life is off the chain.

2. Beautiful Bush
   Crows Nest National Park is scattered with inspiring boulders, a plethora of homey eucalyptus trees from gummy trees to iron arms, bloodwoods and stringy barks.

How to get there:

• Crows Nest Falls is a 156km drive west of Brisbane. Follow directions to Crows Nest town and then follow the National Park signs.

• From Toowoomba, Crows Nest Falls is a 49km drive, around 45 minutes to reach the destination.

• Google Maps pin

What to bring:

1. Sunscreen

2. Water

3. Walking shoes

4. Picnic - there are picnic tables!

Camping:

You can also camp at Crows Nest National Park. Click this link to discover amenities and book your spot!

How to look after the place:

This place is so special! Please pack in and pack out your rubbish. Please use the toilets provided. Please respect the wildlife and bush as this is their home. And as much as you want people to know you were there, please don’t graffiti the trees or rocks. Thank you and enjoy!