On your journey through Somerset you will notice the region is surrounded by the rugged D’Aguilar, Conondale and Great Dividing Ranges, providing a sanctuary for wildlife and the perfect place to get back to nature.
Somerset is home to Lakes Somerset, Wivenhoe and Atkinson, along with a range of environmental reserves, national parks and recreational trails. With these wide-ranging habitats of purpose built lakes, natural river systems, native bushland and virtually untouched wilderness areas, there is a chance for everybody to have a natural experience.
NATIONAL PARKS
An outdoor lover’s paradise, Somerset is home to National Parks, state forests and environmental reserves. With the D’Aguilar National Park to the east, Conondale National Park to the north and the Great Dividing Range to the west, Somerset is the perfect central location to explore these environmental wonders and get back to nature.
Camping Permits
Camping permits are required to camp in Queensland National Parks and State Forests.
WILDLIFE SPOTTING
Somerset is a wildlife watcher’s paradise. Regular glimpses of koalas snoozing in the Eucalypt trees, grazing kangaroos in open grasslands, occasional echidnas meandering along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail and rare sightings of the elusive platypus in quiet waterholes are all possible.
BIRDWATCHER’S DELIGHT
Birdlife is abundant throughout the region with many opportunities for birdwatchers to catch a glimpse of the many species found here. Have your binoculars ready when exploring the lakes, Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, parks and reserves as you never know when you might spot that elusive species. Birdwatchers revel in sightings of Black Cockatoos, King Parrots, Rainbow Lorikeets, Pied Cormorants, White-faced Herons, Bush-stone Curlews, Whistling Kites, Australian Pelicans, Wood Ducks and Azure Kingfishers, just to name a few. Grab your bird list from the Kilcoy Visitor Information Centre before exploring Yowie Park to see how many of the hundred bird species, commonly sighted in the park, you can spot.
- Peach Trees Day Use Area, Jimna State Forest
- Brisbane River, Linville
- Yowie Park, Kilcoy
- Kirkleagh Day Use Area, Lake Somerset
- The Spit, Lake Somerset
- O’Shea’s Crossing, Lake Wivenhoe
- Koala Habitat Enhancement Corridor, Toogoolawah
- Lions Park, Esk
- Pipeliner Park, Esk
- Hamon Cove, Lake Wivenhoe
- Logan Inlet Day Use Area, Lake Wivenhoe
- Wivenhoe Hill Trails, Lake Wivenhoe
- Cormorant Bay, Lake Wivenhoe
- Spillway Lookout, Lake Wivenhoe
- Atkinson’s Crossing, Lake Wivenhoe
- Billie’s Bay and Hays Landing, Lake Wivenhoe
- Branch Creek, Lake Wivenhoe
- Northbrook Parkway, D’Aguilar National Park
- Twin Bridges, Fernvale
- Savages Crossing, Fernvale
- Jensen’s Swamp Environmental Reserve, Lowood