4X4 Parks Guide – Janowen Hills Camping & 4WD Park, QLD

Have you been looking for a camping spot beside a flowing creek that’s peaceful, easy to get to and affordable?

Well, Janowen Hills 4WD Park is the place for you. With an abundance of campsites to choose from, it’s easy to camp away from others to make it feel like you’re the only one there.

One of the smaller 4WD parks, it is situated on 1000 acres in the Goomburra Valley in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. This park has to be the most scenic of them all, with hilly terrain, rocky gullies, views from the highest points and well-maintained grassy camping areas serviced with toilets and showers.

One rule with this park, though, is it runs a ‘buddy system’, which means you cannot enter by yourself and you must have another 4x4 with you for four-wheel driving purposes only. The park also runs the Rock It 4x4 Challenge each year, attracting a few hundred people competing and spectating.

There is a playground for those learning the ropes of 4WDing, a mud pit for thrill-seekers (when there’s been rain) and tracks that wind through the creek which, for a short time, can make you forget you’re within a 4WD park as the scenery changes dramatically.

Due to the size of the park, it is easy to complete the map in one weekend, but it’s a great place to get out and have a play around. It’s also nice to have a roaring campfire beside the creek to chill out and take it all in.

This quieter 4WD park still ticks all the boxes and it’s not that far from Brisbane, and sometimes you just need to drive that little bit farther to reach paradise.

TRAVEL PLANNER

Where
Two hours’ drive west of Brisbane, through Cunninghams Gap and about an hours’ drive south of Toowoomba.

Camping
Accessible by 2WD and 4WD, with powered sites for caravans
No motorbikes allowed
Fees paid at the shop, 4km up the road from the park entrance. It stocks basic supplies and camping gear, but is only operational on weekends, public holidays and for limited hours during school holidays

What’s on offer
Dogs allowed.
Open entertainment area for functions, weddings, parties (minimum of 15 required for booking)
No EFTPOS available
Upcoming upgrades include cabins with mains power, air-con and sat TV
Toilet and shower facilities

Trip Standard
The property is on 1000 acres of hilly terrain, with flat campsites along a flowing creek. There are some 80 tracks rated from easy, medium, difficult and extreme, and a buddy system in operation which means you may only enter if accompanied by at least one other vehicle.

How much?
Camping (per night): $12 adult, $7 child (5 to 15), child (under 5) free
4WD fees (camping only): $28 one to eight days (plus applicable camping fees)
4WD fees (day visitor rate): $25 4WD, $15 2WD.

Contacts
JANOWEN HILLS CAMPING & 4WD PARK
1953 Inverramsay Road, Goomburra, QLD, 4362
EMAIL: janowenhills4wdpark@westnet.com.au
PHONE: (07) 4666 6207
FAX: (07) 4666 6207
WEB: janowenhills.com.au