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We visited Bald Rock National Park in early October, and spring turned out to be a fantastic time to explore this incredible granite landscape. The weather was mild, wildflowers were blooming, and we even spotted rock orchids clinging to the boulders. If you enjoy hiking, there are several Bald Rock National Park walking tracks that showcase different sides of the park – from steep climbs to quiet granite domes and shady forest trails. Here’s my take on the Bald Rock National Park walking tracks, organised by distance to help you choose which ones to do. Also always keep an eye on the weather as granite can become very slippery when wet.
The best Bald Rock National Park walking tracks
Bald Rock Summit Walk – iconic
- Distance: 2.7 km return
- Time: about 1.5 hours (not including time at the top)
- Difficulty: moderate
The summit walk is the park’s signature experience and definitely the one you shouldn’t miss. The direct route is steep but not as hard as it looks – it’s more impressive than it is difficult. It took us around 40 minutes to reach the top from the car park, and the views over the granite dome and surrounding bushland were breathtaking.
If you only have time for one walk in Bald Rock National Park, make it this one. We combined it with the Bungoona Walk on the way down to make a loop (~1hr45, 5km in total), which added variety.
Bungoona Walk – a nice surprise
- Distance: 5.7 km return
- Time: about 1.5 hours
- Difficulty: easy/moderate
Many visitors see Bungoona Walk as simply the gentler way to reach the Bald Rock summit and avoid the very steep part, but it’s actually a beautiful walk in its own right. The trail winds through granite formations – arches, balancing boulders, and shaded forest pockets – that make you feel like you’re exploring a natural sculpture park. We saw plenty of rock orchids in bloom, and it quickly became one of our favourite walks in the park.
If you are up for the challenge, combine this with the summit walk to make a loop.
Little Bald Rock Walk – quiet and scenic
- Distance: 7.6 km return
- Time: ~2 hours
- Difficulty: easy/moderate (some hills)
From the name, you might think Little Bald Rock is just a smaller version of the main attraction, but it offers a completely different experience. The track leads to another large granite boulder with panoramic views, and the best part is how peaceful it is. We only saw two other hikers that afternoon, and once we reached the top, we had the whole place to ourselves.
It doesn’t have the steep incline or striking colours of Bald Rock, but the views are just as beautiful, and it’s a fun place to explore. If you have more time, you could continue to South Bald Rock and Carrolls Creek Walk.
Other walking tracks in Bald Rock National Park
Border Walk and Bookookoorara Trail (plus lookout detour) – not our favourite
- Distance: around 15 km loop
- Time: about 3.5 to 4 hours
- Difficulty: easy, but scrambling is required to access the lookout
We did the Border Walk as a loop to Bookookoorara Lookout and came back via the Bookookoorara Trail. The lookout itself is worth it – you’ll need a bit of scrambling to reach the best viewpoint – but the walk to get there felt long and uninspiring, mostly along a wide fire trail through the forest. Mountain bikes are allowed on the path, and it might be the best way to explore this part of the park.
If I were to do it again, I’d take the shortest possible route to the lookout instead of the Border Walk.
Fairy Valley Walk – maybe in spring
- Distance: around 9 km return
- Time: about 3 hours
- Difficulty: unsure (sign says “grade 4 easy” which is unusual)
We didn’t end up doing this one but seriously considered it as an alternative return route after visiting Bookookoorara Lookout. It would have added a bit of distance and required walking back to the picnic area along the road. From what I’ve heard, Fairy Valley is best in spring when wildflowers are at their peak. Outside of that season, I’m not sure it adds much variety compared to the other forest walks.
Carrolls Creek Walk – for those with more time
- Distance: 19 km loop
- Time: 8 hours
- Difficulty: easy according to the sign
We didn’t have time for this one, but if we had been staying in Bald Rock National Park longer, we’d have come back from Little Bald Rock via the Carrolls Creek Walk. We read that it provides different viewpoints of Bald Rock and Little Bald Rock. You’ll need a full day to tackle it, and the last part is along the road, but it seems like a great way to see more of the park’s unique granite landscape.
South Bald Rock
South Bald Rock marks the most southern and remote section of Girraween National Park. When we reached Little Bald Rock, we thought about continuing further towards South Bald Rock, but we’d started the walk quite late and were more tempted by the idea of heading back to camp to relax. We were also unsure about the actual distance and difficulty, as information varied: the national park map at the picnic area mentions 14 km return, while we read online that it’s 14 km one way to the South Bald Rock bush camp. We didn’t want to push on and risk feeling frustrated for being so close yet unable to explore properly.
There are no facilities at the bush camp, which is described as a remote stopover for hikers exploring the wider Bald Rock cluster – including West, South and Middle Bald Rocks. We’ll come back one day better prepared and with more time, as it sounds like a great way to discover a quieter side of the park.
Other must-see places nearby for nature lovers
If you’re planning a trip to Bald Rock National Park, it’s worth staying at least a couple of nights to explore the Northern Tablelands region – there’s so much more nearby for nature lovers:
- Boonoo Boonoo National Park – A completely different feel with rivers, waterfalls, and rockpools.
- Basket Swamp Falls – A lesser-known gem to enjoy waterfalls from up close.
- Quoll Headquarters – An inspiring wildlife conservation centre.
Plan your visit to Bald Rock National Park
Bald Rock National Park sits near the NSW–Queensland border, about a 4-hour drive from Brisbane and is one of the national parks close to Tenterfield, just 30km north of the historic town. The main car park and day-use area are at the Bald Rock campground, where most of the walking tracks begin.
Camping is available within the park, with other options nearby if it’s full, or you can stay in Tenterfield for more comfort. Spring and autumn are ideal for hiking. Summer can be hot, especially on the exposed granite with no shade, and winter nights can be freezing. Always check for fire bans before your visit, especially in spring and summer.
