Top tips for visiting Byfield National Park

Written By: 4 Boys and a Caravan

About the author:

We are a full-time travel family of 6, Tom, Aimee and our four boys, Tyler, Lincoln, Jett and Chase. We have been travelling around Australia in our caravan since January 2018. We sold our house in the North Eastern suburbs of Melbourne and almost everything we owned. We wanted to live a more simple, minimalist lifestyle making memories while are kids are young and spending quality time together as a family. Doing all this whilst showing our boys this amazing country we call home.

Byfield National Park is every adventurer’s dream.

Boasting challenging 4WD tracks, stunning beaches, and crystal-clear creeks to explore, this special part of the world will get you off the beaten track to reset, relax and unwind.

Our favourite part of this National Park is taking the journey to 5 Rocks. Why? Well in the words of local musos, Busby Marou, it’s a place to ‘walk and talk for hours and hours, about nothing in particular at all’ – just our cup of tea!

Five Rocks Holiday Rentals put us up for the night so that we could truly discover this remote and stunning location. Their two-level beach house in Stockyard Point was the perfect base to farewell the sun and reflect of our days adventure.

Whether you are day-tripping or overnighting, here are our top tips to make your visit as enjoyable as possible…

Plan, plan, plan

When taking the trip to 5 Rocks, it is important to remove any unwanted stress with some simple planning. Importantly, check the tide times! 5 Rocks is best explored on a low tide and the incoming tide can be fast, quickly encroaching on your setup. Planning your day and being aware of the tide times will ensure your day remains calm and enjoyable.

Travel with friends

The old adage that more is merrier is absolutely true in this case. The journey to 5 Rocks can be tricky at times and travelling with friends will not only provide a fun filled day, but also surround you with plenty of help in case you get stuck. If you are travelling alone however, make sure it is during busier times of the day, as someone will be able to assist if you come across a challenge.

Go prepared

Make sure you have a 4WD with low range capabilities and your recovery gear. You will also need to carry all your food and plenty of water. A tyre pressure gauge is essential to judge the amount of air in your tyres. Depending on conditions the pressure in your tyres can range from 10psi up to 30psi. Also make sure you have a decent compressor to be able to inflate your tyres once you finish on the sand.

Be courteous

The tracks throughout 5 Rocks are tight and you will often be met on busy days with traffic coming the other way. Ensure you drive slowly and give way to let traffic past.

Tackling Big Sandy

Big Sandy is a one-kilometre sand dune that you will have to conquer to enjoy everything that Byfield National Park has to offer.

It pretty much acts as a barrier to the people that are not equipped, and some level of sand driving experience is required.

The sand is extremely thick in places and requires very low tyre pressure to get to the top. We would highly recommend dropping your tyre pressures to 15 PSI maximum, you could even go lower if you wanted to be on the safe side.

The track up Big Sandy is one lane in most places, so communication is critical. There is a sign at the bottom that tells you to use channel 40 to determine if there is anyone else driving up or down so radio up and see if there is anyone else driving down.

One key factor to help you get up is to remember to keep momentum. The moment you lose momentum is when you will find yourself getting stuck in the soft sand.

Reaping the rewards

Now that you have tackled Big Sandy it’s time to continue onto Stockyard Point.

Here you will drive through the small township scattered with little beach houses before you make it out to one of the most rewarding lookouts. The views here are incredible, and it gives you an amazing panorama of 5 Rocks to the north and 9 Mile Beach to the south.

Discovering the nooks and crannies

If you are chasing some more adrenaline, you can take the journey to 5 Rocks Beach which is another track snaking its way through the coastal bushland. Be aware that your car might get a couple of pin stripes from overhanging branches. Remember to keep your tyre pressure low, as it’s easy getting down to the beach, but much harder getting back up.

Think right… vehicles must turn right when entering onto 5 Rocks Beach (there is no public access to the left)

If the thought of pin stripes is not for you, then take the track to 9 Mile Beach instead. The track is a little wider and not as steep. Here you can visit the popular freshwater creek which is an ideal spot for the little ones to splash about safely.

Or if you are keen to ditch the car and get out on foot, there is a variety of walking tracks throughout Byfield National Park. Check out this guide for more details – Byfield parks and forests discovery guide (des.qld.gov.au).

Respect the land

Remember, Byfield is an incredible National Park and the access that is available to the public is amazing.

Please treat and respect this area with the care that it deserves.

Important note: Turtle nesting season is between October and March, so please always observe the beach for wildlife, and help us to protect our nests and increase the chance of survival. If you come across sick, injured or deceased marine animals, please report to the Marine Stranding Hotline – 1300 130 372.

Want more information? Check out Queensland Government’s fact sheet on Byfield National Park, Conservation Park and State Forest.

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