Spend a long weekend in the Bunya Mountains from Brisbane

Buckle up and hit the road to the Bunyas from Brisbane. Within three hours you’ll have waved goodbye to the hustle and bustle of the city and be ready to be embraced by the unfiltered beauty of the Bunya Mountains.

Of course, all good road trips include a couple of pitstops along the way, so you’ll want to swing by Toowoomba to enjoy the urban cafe culture. Head to Café de Velo for brunch and a coffee - with an extensive breakfast, lunch and vegan menu alongside their cake cabinet you’ll be spoilt for choice.

If you’re looking to stretch your legs, grab your coffee to go and head to Queens Park and enjoy a kaleidoscope of colour as you stroll through the botanical gardens, promising different blooms across each season.

For those who enjoy a cosy cabin rather than camping, check into one of the options via the Bunya Mountains Accommodation Centre.

Whether you’re travelling with a group, heading out on a couple’s retreat or away with the whole family, there’s plenty of chalets, cabins or lodge options to choose from, accommodating all group sizes, each with its own special flare.

If camping under a sea of stars is more your style, pitch a tent at one of the three Bunya Mountains camping areas. Dandabah, is the largest area that can be booked and enjoyed with tents and some caravans. (Note: access to the Bunyas is windy and most prefer to leave their caravan at the base before ascending the summit).

If you’re up for a short walk, Westcott or Burtons are only accessible by foot with a designated carpark close by. Keep in mind that all camping areas must be booked (via phone, online or purchased over the counter) and require a permit.

Whatever accommodation you choose, for the best sunset views, head to the Westcliff Lookout (not far from Westcott campground) and take a moment to sit back and watch as the sun dips below the horizon, turning the sky ablaze with colour.

Before calling it a night, make the most of the clear night skies, perfect for practicing astrophotography. Learn from the very best and book a Bunya Mountains Astrophotography Experience with Donna Glass, an award-winning photographer, and capture images of milky ways and star constellations. While waiting for the perfect balance of dark and stars, keep an eye out for fireflies. Most commonly spotted from October to November shine your flashlight from dusk until dark, and watch as they illuminate the Bunya Mountain trails.

After a morning spent slowing down, it’s time to dial up the adventure and explore more of Bunya Mountains National Park. Lace up your hiking boots and fill your backpack with all the essentials before heading out for an afternoon making memories. You’ll find nine walking trails of varying lengths for a leisurely walk through the Bunya Mountains, suitable for all fitness levels. If you’re up for a bit more of a challenge the eastern rainforest circuits or western tracks will not disappoint. Head out on a four-hour hike along the Barker Creek circuit passing through a variety of terrains from rainforest to grassland and some eucalypt forest. The circuit also splits midway with the opportunity to take a short side track out to Big Falls lookout, gifting a scenic picnic location on the grassy bald above Big Falls overlooking the Barker Creek Gorge.

If a long hike isn’t quite your style, there’s plenty of shorter tracks to choose from, including the four kilometre Scenic Circuit. Beginning and returning to Dandabah picnic area, this walk will have you passing through the bunya pine forest surrounded by mountain scenery, looking for wildlife among the rock pools as well as enjoying the rush of water and misty spray from the Festoon and Tim Shea Falls. Reward yourself after your hike with an afternoon picnic back at the Dandabah area, where you can watch the native wallabies hop around while you indulge in a well-deserved break.

Looking for an authentic experience that pays respect to the traditional custodians of the land? The Bunya Bush University project gifts just that. Located in the Bunya Mountains the ‘in Country’ learning space welcomes everyone to recognise the significance of the land and learn of First Nations customs.

Explore the Bush University’s walking tracks, the sculpture commemorating the songlines, and three rainbow serpent coils with sections for women’s business, men’s business, and the central performance space.

Settle in for the night in the Bunya Mountains Accommodation Centre or your choice of the three national park camping areas.

Before starting the three hour drive back to Brisbane, make one more adventurous stop for a magical waterfall encounter. Follow the Festoon Falls and Mcgrory Lookout trail or the Mcgrory Falls via Pine Gorge trail both beginning from the Dandabah Picnic Area to find the national park’s biggest waterfall.

If you’ve got some extra time up your sleeve a long weekend in the Bunya Mountains only just scratches the surface when it comes to the untouched beauty of the area. Stay a little longer and embrace the slow way of life that allows room for unfiltered moments and raw experiences.