Girraween National Park

Girraween National Park is located high on the northern end of the New England Tableland. The 11 700ha park has an average elevation of 900m and is cold in winter, hot in summer. Not far from the Queensland-New South Wales border, it has more in common with cooler southern climes than with most of the Sunshine State. Snow sometimes falls on Girraween. In any year, it's always cold in winter.

The park's eucalypt forests and heathlands support diverse birds, including the rare turquoise parrot and superb lyrebird. Common wombats graze on grassy areas fringing the heath and forest. Seeds in Girraween's drier forests attract insects, birds and mammals. The glossy black-cockatoo uses its beak to crack sheoak nuts to get their seeds.

Girraween's climate has tropical and temperate influences. Summer temperatures are not extreme, with maximums seldom above 30deg. Winter is cold, with average daily temperatures 3-15deg. Heavy frosts occur from April to November, when night temperatures can drop as low as -8deg.

Average rainfall at park headquarters is about 850mm. Most rain falls in summer and early autumn, but winter rainfall is relatively high. Wildflowers bloom in September. Spring is the best time to visit. Bring warm clothing at any time