Bellthorpe National Park, QLD.

Stony Creek Day Use Area, Bellthorpe National Park, 

The last place we visited on our Blackdown Tablelands roadtrip was Bellthorpe National Park. There is no camping available but the Stony Creek Day Use Area is well worth the drive in for a picnic. We walked the short distance to the waterhole where we saw a Keelback snake and a Saw-shelled turtle swimming about. Due to the light rain we hadn't taken our zoom lens to the waterhole so we ran back to get the lens but were too late for a photo of the keelback. 

Natural swiming hole in Bellthorpe National Park

We saw some Yellow-faced Honeyeaters and a White-eared Monarch; a bird that usually alludes us.

White-eared Monarch

The weather deteriorated quite quickly so we were only able to stay a short time before we decided it would be prudent to leave as the wind was really picking up. We didn't get far before the road was blocked by a small fallen tree. With a bit of work we were able to remove it from the road and continue on our way.

Details for Stony Creek Day Use Area, Bellthorpe National Park:
Where: D'Aguilar Hwy, turn into Stony Creek Road approximately 5 km east of Woodford, turn into Fletcher Creek Road. Follow the signs to Stony Creek Day Use Area. 
Access: 2WD access. Last couple of kilometers unsealed road.
Facilities: picnic tables, toilets, wood BBQ's (BYO wood).
Prohibited: No Camping. No pets. 
Activities: Swimming. 4 wheel driving. Picnics. Cycling. Horse riding. Short walk to natural swimming hole.