Upper Stony Creek in Byfield National Park from Yeppoon

If you’re searching for a natural swimming hole near Yeppoon, Upper Stony Creek in Byfield National Park is one of the best-kept local secrets. With its crystal-clear waters, shaded picnic areas, and stunning bushland surrounds, it’s the perfect spot to cool off, relax, and enjoy the outdoors in Central Queensland.

The tricky part for first-time visitors is knowing exactly how to get there and what to expect. The access roads can be confusing, and many people wonder about the swimming conditions, facilities, and whether it’s suitable for families or just for those chasing an off-the-beaten-path adventure.

We loved Stony Creek and I can say it’s absolutely worth the trip. In this guide, I’ll cover how to get to Stony Creek, the facilities available, best time to visit, swimming tips, nearby attractions, and everything else you need to know for a safe and memorable day out.

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How to get to Stony Creek in Byfield National Park

Stony Creek in Byfield National Park is a stunning natural swimming spot surrounded by rainforest and granite boulders, making it one of Central Queensland’s best hidden gems.

I recommend taking a 4WD to get there, as the access road can be rough and uneven, especially after rain.

The swimming area is located right beside the Day Use Area (Please see direction Map here), where you’ll also find picnic tables, toilets, and shaded spaces to relax. On the opposite side of the creek, there’s a small off-grid camping area, perfect if you’d like to extend your stay and wake up to the sound of the forest and running water.

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Getting there requires some planning: Stony Creek is about 40 minutes’ drive from Yeppoon or just over an hour from Rockhampton. There are no organised tours or public transport services (at least none currently available), so you’ll need to either drive yourself or hire a vehicle to make the trip.

Once you arrive at the Day Use Area, you can park your car and spend the day enjoying everything this spot has to offer. Swimming in the clear, cool waters is the main drawcard, but you can also pack a picnic, relax on the creek banks, or explore the surrounding walking tracks through Byfield National Park.

With its peaceful rainforest setting and crystal-clear waterholes, it’s an idyllic place to cool off and unwind.

Do you need a 4WD?

A four-wheel drive or high-clearance vehicle is recommended, but in certain conditions is not a necessity. The last cement floodway will often be covered in water. Obviously, this can vary in height from nothing to roughly 20 centimetres depending on rainfall. 

Not only that, but most of the roads toward the end are complete with rocks and sand and might require a low-gear grip. Or at least some skill in driving in those kinds of conditions. 

Either way, if you don’t know how much rainfall has fallen in the past couple of weeks or know the conditions of the roads, A 4Wheel Drive vehicle is your safest bet.

Note: My visit in August was at a depth of only a few centimetres.

What facilities are in the Day use area?

The Day use area has everything you need to meet up with friends or have a family day out. There is a large grass area to lay out your picnic blanket or play some outdoor games with the kids and clean bathrooms.

However I remember there are no bins, so please ensure you take all your rubbish with you. 

Additionally, a few wooden tables are already there to lay out all your food, and a couple of barbeques for cooking. 

Also, be aware that mobile coverage is unreliable, so expect no Phone or Data service. 

Do you need help planning your trip to Queensland? Book a one-on-one consultation call with me, to get your questions answered & personalised help!

Things to do there?

Take a Hike

There are numerous hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels, and it’s a great way to get some exercise and fresh air. I have a more detailed list on these below.

Go Fishing

The creek is home to various fish, including bass, catfish, and trout. 

Have a Picnic

If you are looking for a relaxing activity, then having a picnic is the perfect day trip activity for you. Just don’t forget to bring your own food and drinks, as there are no supplies anywhere near it!

Go Canoeing or Kayaking

For those who want a little more adventure, canoeing or kayaking is a great option. The creek isn’t that long before running into rocks, so don’t stress too much about the kids going too far. Just be sure to follow all safety guidelines while in the water.

Take photographs

Obviously, one of my favourite pastimes and something that helps me bring my blogs to you. Byfield National Park is home to some truly stunning scenery, so make sure to bring your camera along and take some photographs! 

Go birdwatching or find wildlife.

If you love birds, then you will definitely want to go birdwatching, so bring your binoculars! There are over 150 different species of birds that have been spotted in the park, so you are sure to see some fascinating birds during your visit.

Hiking Tracks in the area

The Byfield National Park has so many different places to explore, even if you just want to hang out for the day near beaches or creeks. It has 12 kilometres of coastline, including four beaches. 

There are both 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drives area, so best to check out the Byfield Park Map Here to organise where you want to go.

Venusta Circuit

• Leaves from: Upper Stoney Creek Section
• Grade: Easy
• Distance: 900 metres
• Time: About 20 mins

Stoney Creek Circuit

• Leaves from: Upper Stoney Creek Section
• Grade: Moderate
• Distance: 4.3 Kilometres Return
• Time: About 4 Hours

Banksia Robur Circuit

• Leaves from: Banksia & Sandy Creek Car park
• Grade: Easy
• Distance: 2 kilometres return
• Time: About 1 Hour

Sandy Creek Circuit

• Leaves from: Banksia & Sandy Creek Car park
• Grade: Easy
• Distance: 2 kilometres return
• Time: About 1 Hour

Creek to Coast

• Leaves from: Banksia & Sandy Creek Car park
• Grade: Moderate to Difficult
• Distance: 9 Kilometres one way
• Time: About 5 hours

Stockyard Point Headland

• Leaves from: Five Rocks Visitor Area & Stockyard Point
• Grade: Easy
• Distance: 540 metres return from Stockyard Point
• Time: About 20 minutes

Little Five Rocks Beach

• Leaves from: Five Rocks Visitor Area & Stockyard Point
• Grade: Moderate
• Distance: 1 kilometres return from Five Rocks Visitor Area
• Time: About 1 hour

Little Five Rocks Headland and Beyond

• Leaves from: Five Rocks Visitor Area & Stockyard Point
• Grade: Moderate
• Distance: Unknown
• Time: About 3 to 4 hours

Creek to Coast

• Leaves from: Five Rocks Visitor Area & Stockyard Point
• Grade: Moderate to Difficult
• Distance: 9 kilometres one way
• Time: About 5 hours

Freshwater Creek

• Leaves from: Nine Mile Beach
• Grade: Easy
• Distance: 500 metres return
• Time: About 30 minutes

Orange Bowl

• Leaves from: Nine Mile Beach
• Grade: Moderate
• Distance: 1.45 kilometres Return
• Time: About 1 hour

Queen Mary

• Leaves from: Nine Mile Beach
• Grade: Moderate
• Distance: 4 kilometres Return
• Time: About 2 hours

Stockyard Point access track

• Leaves from: Nine Mile Beach
• Grade: Moderate
• Distance: 2.15 kilometres Return
• Time: About 1 hour

Water Park Point Headland

• Leaves from: Nine Mile Beach
• Grade: Difficult
• Distance: Unknown
• Time: About 4 hours

Fishing Creek

• Leaves from: Sandy Point Section
• Grade: Easy
• Distance: 800 metres
• Time: About 20 mins

Bowenia rainforest Circuit

• Leaves from: Water Park Creek
• Grade: Easy
• Distance: 1.2 Kilometres
• Time: About 30 mins

Where to Stay?

Fixed Accommodation

Yeppoon is the perfect spot for beachside vibes if you’re looking for a quiet, low-key beach town! Whether you want to camp overnight or rent an Airbnb, plenty of options are available. With its iconic views, fishing spots, and wild natives, you can enjoy peaceful beach time. 

➡  Compare prices for Accommodation HERE with Booking.com

For something more luxurious, why not treat yourself by splurging on some beachfront accommodation? Enjoy being within walking distance of cafes, restaurants, ferry rides, and more! 

Camping?

When accessing Stony Creek, you’ll pass the camping area before driving over the creek crossing into the day-use area. It’s a tranquil spot where you can get away from the crowds. The 14 numbered sites are open-plan, set among the pine trees in natural bushland. 

Prices start under $10 per Adult person per night and can be booked under by clicking HERE on QLD parks website. More importantly, booking in advance is always best, especially during school holidays or long weekends. 

Facilities at the Camping sites:

• Toilets
• Individual Fire Rings
• Water ( please treat before drinking)
• Automatic Barbeques ( Situated in Day Use Area)
• Picnic Tables ( situated in the Day use area)
• Campfire Allowed in fire rings only (conditions or restrictions may apply). Bring your own clean, milled Firewood, and fuel stoves are recommended.
• Generators allowed (conditions Apply) and Operated between 8 am to 7 pm with limits of 65 decibels or less.

Best time to visit?

My advice on the best time to visit would be to get as close to the summer months as possible without getting into too much rainfall. My last visit was in August, and the swimming was a little on the freezing side (about 10 degrees). 

Therefore, I think the best months are March/April or October/November, but anywhere between December and February if you can get a less rainy week. 

January / February / March / November / December:

• Average Temperatures – 22 to 30 Degrees Celsius
• Average Rainfall – 50mm to 140mm

April / May / September / October:

• Average Temperatures – 17 to 26 Degrees Celsius
• Average Rainfall – 40mm to 60mm

June / July & August:

• Average Temperatures – 14 to 23 Degrees Celsius
• Average Rainfall – 20mm to 40mm

Wrap up!

Thanks for reading this blog post today on How to get to Stony Creek in the Byfield National Park from Yeppoon. I hope you found the information you were looking for, but if you’re still looking, please check out my other Queensland blogs for inspiration. 

Yeppoon has often been a stop-off point for me when travelling on a road trip from Brisbane to Cairns. This has either been overnight or a few days, but it never disappoints!

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