Weranga Scarps Nature Reserve, Weranga QLD, Easter Camp – 2 April 2026, 2 to 5 nights

EASTER CAMP 2026

Date & time

Easter weekend, 2026.  Arrival from 2pm Thursday 2^nd April, or any day or time thereafter.  Departure no later than 10 am Tuesday 7^th April. 

Leaders

Terry & Sally Johnsen (Contact details will be provided after on-line registration).

Location

357 Forestry Road, Weranga, 70 km south-west from Dalby, or 30 km southeast from Tara. Access is via Surat Development Road between Dalby and Tara.  Further details for accessing the property will be provided before the start of the excursion to those who have registered. (see map below)

Introduction

This compact undeveloped property has been owned by Wildlife Land Fund Ltd since 2021, when it was gifted them by conservation photographer Wayne Lawler.  It supports several vegetation communities in a relatively small area including eucalyptus and angophoras, shrubby and grassy understoreys, Acacias and she-oaks, and dense calytrix heathlands in ephemeral wet areas.

The reserve is home to several threatened wildlife species, including the glossy black-cockatoo, yakka skink, golden-tailed gecko and koala.  More than 127 species of birds have been recorded, including the speckled warbler, hooded robin, various honeyeaters, Pacific Baza and other raptors.  Resident mammals include the yellow-footed antechinus, stripe-faced dunnart, sugar glider, inland brushtail possum, and koala.  Reptiles include the spotted black snake and common scaly-foot. Nine (9) species of frogs have been observed after rain. 

In November 2025 the property was struck by severe storm that brought down trees. No-one lives at this nature reserve, visitors are seldom, and fallen trees and branches remain scattered across the property.  There are no formed walking tracks on the property, and the use of a hiking pole might assist some when walking around the property.

The property received more than 150 mm rain on 8^th and 9^th March 2026 which will have replenished the small dam. This dam is the only permanent water on the property and attracts a good range of wildlife.

Participants must be members of The Queensland Naturalists’ Club Inc.  To become a member, click here: Membership QNC.   Day visitors are welcome as guest members signed up for the day.

Camping

This QNC camp will be the first group to camp on the property, and site preparation (eg: removing fallen branches, raking twigs, trimming overhanging vegetation from the access track) will be required for all camping sites.  It will be bush camping with no facilities, other than the club pit toilet. All campers need to be self-sufficient, especially with water for drinking and washing.

During the recce, 7 camping sites were identified between the Forestry Road access gate and the dam; this included 3 sites suitable for small caravans, and other sites for smaller camper-trailers and tent camping.  There are several quiet locations for those who prefer to leave their vehicle and walk into the bush and find a campsite away from others. 

Bring gardening gloves and a rake for preparing sites for camping.

Overflow camping is available on the “back block”, which is the block adjacent to (on the south-western side) of 239 McKee Road,  4km drive “around the block” from the front blocks at 257 Forestry Road.  Some site preparation will be needed, eg: flattening grass, but there are no fallen trees on this block.

In the event of rain, there will be no vehicle access from the Forestry Road gate to the dam, and everyone will need to camp at the “back block” on McKees Road.

Fees

No camping fees have been requested by the Weranga Scarps property owners, though club members are invited to make a small donation towards the upkeep of this property (eg: maintaining the access road to the dam). 

Alternative accommodation.

1/ The Commercial Hotel, 35 Day Street, Tara, 4421, QLD.

Phone: 07 4665 3214. Email: info@thetara.com.au

Assorted rooms available.

30 minutes’ drive to Weranga Scarps.

2/ Tara Lagoon Parklands, Showgrounds Road, Tara 4421.

30 minutes drive to Weranga Scarps.

Powered and unpowered campsites only.

Contact Tara Lagoon Parklands Caretakers, Tim and Megan on 0475 716 265.

Camping Fees: Powered Site: $11.50 per night. Unpowered Site: $5.50 per night

https://www.wdrc.qld.gov.au/Community-Recreation/Parks-Outdoors/Parks/Tara-Lagoon-Parklands

3/  Lake Broadwater

Powered and unpowered campsites only.

Camping fees: Lake Broadwater Campground $7.50 per person per night, or $30 per family per night.  Wilga Camp Ground fees $7.50 per person per night or $30 per family per night.

Contact Caretakers: 0428 229 282;  lakebroadwater@wdrc.qld.gov.au

https://www.westerndownsqueensland.com.au/stay/caravan-camping/camping-caravanning-in-dalby/

Access: Drive 20km Sth West of Dalby on Moonie Highway, turn into Broadwater Road. The campground is 10km on left hand side.

Projects

The property owners have requested assistance with the collection of assorted litter on the property and placing this in a central location above the dam, for later removal by themselves. 

Assistance with identifying the “home range” of certain wildlife has also been requested.  Details will be provided after registration.

Itinerary

Thursday 2^nd April:  Early campers arrive, prepare access and sites. Exploratory walk to the scarps and across to the previous owner’s campsite. 

Friday 3^rd April: Additional campers arriving. Slow exploratory walks through the 3 front blocks along Forestry Road.  Lunch back at camp. Evening spotlighting. 

Saturday 4^th April: Further exploration at Weranga Scarps.

Sunday 5^th April: Day visit to Lake Broadwater Conservation Area, (past the camp sites, near the Caretakers house).  Take picnic lunch and insect repellent.

Monday 6^th April: Some campers will be leaving.  For those leaving Tuesday, a half-day visit to Tara Lagoon in the morning.  Optional lunch in Tara at the café or hotel. Afternoon free time at Weranga Scarps.

Tuesday 7^th April: Packing up and securing the property prior to departure.

Car-pooling for day visits to Lake Broadwater and Tara will be arranged during camp.

Pictures of the property including possible camping sites can be found here: Weranga Scarps Property Images