Mundubbera - Places to See

Golden Mile Orchard and the Big Mandarin
Visitors to the area often inspect the Golden Mile Orchard. Reputedly the largest citrus orchard in Australia (and the southern hemisphere) it was named the Golden Mile because the trees were planted in rows which were a mile long. The orchard now boasts extensive stands of avocados and grapes as well as the famous Ellendale mandarin and other citrus fruits. In recent times it has been part of a bio-control program which has attempted to manage pests by introducing their natural enemies rather than using harmful chemical sprays. Tours to the Golden Mile can be arranged at the Big Mandarin which also has a lungfish display and another relating to the agriculture in the area.

The lungfish (neoceratodus forsteri) is indigenous to the Burnett and Mary Rivers. It is a bizarre living fossil which can both breathe underwater by means of gills and gulp air into a lung-like sac above water. It cannot, however, survive away from water for any extended period of time.

Auburn River National Park
Auburn River National Park is a rather small (389 ha) and remote reserve for those who enjoy some quiet bush camping. There are some dedicated sites for caravans. The passage of the river has left a legacy of interesting and evolving geological formations, such as the piles of pinkish granite boulders and the interesting rock pools and catracts, amidst environs consisting mostly of open eucalypt forest (chiefly ironbark and forest red gm) and dry bottle-tree scrub. Along the river, leptospermum, callistemon and stunted fig are common. The park retains a few relics from the period in the late 19th century when it was the subject of a brief, and singularly unsuccessful, goldrush.

To get there follow the Mundubbera-Durong Road for 13 km then turn right by the John Petersen Bridge onto the Auburn River/Hawkwood Road. After a further 20 km take the signposted left onto the gravel road and it is 7 km to the camping ground, which has picnic tables, cooking facilities and pit toilets. Two rough trails depart from the campground. One leads through eucalypt forest, dry scrub and creek vegetation to the river (look out for lizards sunning themselves on the river's rocks and be sure to take note of how to get back) and another leads to a lookout over the river. Bring fresh water as there is none on tap and the river water is not potable. A 4WD may be required in wet weather.

Camping permits and further information can be obtained by contacting the Mundubbera office of the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service on (07) 4165 3905. For more information check out: http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/auburn-river/index.html