Nature

Vast, ancient, and alive with natural beauty, the Diamantina’s national parks and natural sites showcase the wild heart of Outback Queensland. Covering around 25% of the Shire, these protected landscapes invite you to experience some of Australia’s most extraordinary desert, channel country, and grassland environments.

Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert National Park

Australia’s largest protected area, Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert National Park, stretches beyond the horizon with sweeping red dunes, salt lakes, and endless skies. Explore the famous QAA Line, camp under glittering night skies, and encounter desert wildlife, including dingoes, thorny devils, and wedge-tailed eagles.

A Desert Parks Pass is required to enter Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert National Park, covering 12 months of vehicle entry and camping. Passes are available from the Wirrarri Visitor Information Centre in Birdsville.

Located in the heart of Australia’s driest region, this 3.6-million-hectare park is the country’s largest and one of the world’s best examples of a parallel dunal desert. Its sweeping red dunes span South Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory, showcasing striking landscapes of spinifex grasslands, acacia woodlands, and shimmering salt lakes rich in desert wildlife.

The park is linked to Witjira National Park and is closed from 1 December to 15 March. Vehicles must display a high-visibility safety flag, and visitors should check the latest Desert Parks Bulletin before travelling.

Diamantina National Park

Once a vast cattle station, Diamantina National Park protects one of the most significant inland river systems in Australia. Seasonal floods transform dry channels into a birdwatcher’s paradise, attracting thousands of waterbirds — pelicans, brolgas, ducks, and more. With dramatic jump-ups, open gibber plains, and rich cultural history, this park offers an authentic Outback experience that changes with the seasons.

Astrebla Downs National Park

Astrebla Downs National Park is home to sweeping Mitchell grass plains and rare species such as bilbies. Its wide horizons, golden grasses, and soft light at dusk create unforgettable photographic moments. Remote and unspoiled, it’s one of Queensland’s most important habitats for endangered wildlife.

Cuttaburra Crossing – A Birdwatcher’s Paradise

Just 68 kilometres south of Bedourie, Cuttaburra Crossing is a serene outback oasis that’s a must-visit for nature lovers and birdwatchers. Nestled between Lake Koolivoo and Lake Machattie, this permanent waterhole on Eyre Creek is part of a renowned wetland system, teeming with birdlife year-round.

Visitors can enjoy exceptional birdwatching from dedicated hides along the creek’s banks, easily accessible from the roadside rest area. It’s perfect for photography, wildlife spotting, or simply relaxing in the tranquil surroundings.

Cuttaburra Crossing is a free, dog-friendly campground with toilet facilities and a dump point. It accommodates RVs, camper trailers, caravans, big rigs, and tents — an ideal spot to unwind under the vast Outback sky.

Come and experience the peaceful beauty of Cuttaburra Crossing—where the outback meets the wetlands.

Explore, Discover, Connect

Together, these parks and natural sites form the soul of the Diamantina — a place where nature thrives and time feels timeless. Whether you seek adventure, solitude, photography, or a deeper connection with the land, the Diamantina’s landscapes offer experiences you won’t forget.