Camp on the NSW–Queensland border near beautiful waterfalls on the South Downs.
Killarney is a small inland town on the Queensland side of the New South Wales–Queensland border. It’s in the South Downs region and is mainly a farming community, but travellers come to check out the spectacular waterfalls nearby: Teviot Falls, Queen Mary Falls, Dagg’s Falls, Brown’s Falls, and Upper Brown’s Falls. Killarney is also at the crossroads of a few roads running through rural Queensland, making it a convenient stopping-off point on road trips, and several national parks are accessible from here: Main Range, Koreelah, Mount Clunie, Mount Barney, Border Ranges, and more. Killarney is small and there’s one caravan park within the town, and another at nearby Queen Mary Falls.
Main Range National Park
Most of the must-see waterfalls around Killarney fall within the Main Range National Park, which is part of the UNESCO-listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. Follow the Falls Drive circuit to visit multiple waterfalls in one trip. There’s a caravan park at Queen Mary Falls, although if you’re travelling with a caravan, secure a site before driving around the park as some of the roads aren’t suitable for caravans.
Condamine Gorge
Australia’s longest river, the Condamine River, starts just outside Killarney, and the Condamine Gorge (also called the Cambanoora Gorge) runs between the source of the river and Killarney. It’s a significant site for local wildlife, including platypus. The road crosses the river many times (and can flood after rain), and there are plenty of hiking, mountain biking, and horse riding opportunities in the gorge. Camp in Killarney or at Queen Mary Falls.
Koreelah National Park
Not far from Killarney but running along the New South Wales side of the state border, Koreelah National Park attracts visitors with its ancient rainforest, swimming holes, walking tracks, birdwatching, and camping at the Koreelah Creek Campground. It’s a remote campground and sites aren’t powered, but there are toilets, an amenities block, picnic tables, and barbecue facilities.
Killarney is in Southern Queensland and experiences a subtropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers. To make the most of your time in Killarney and the beautiful national parks, visit in the spring or autumn, when the weather will likely be fine and warm without being too hot. September is the driest month, so while it might be comfortable for camping, the waterfalls may not be at their best.