Woondum

Woondum National Park protects an area of subtropical rainforest and associated vegetation on the Sunshine Coast hinterland, near Gympie in southeast Queensland. The park lies on the northern edge of the Cooloola region, protecting vegetation communities that connect the Noosa and Cooloola protected areas with the Gympie hinterland. The park preserves subtropical rainforest and dry rainforest in a landscape significantly affected by farming and rural residential development.

The subtropical rainforest supports wildlife including koalas in the eucalypt areas, brush-tailed possums, and diverse rainforest birds. The vine thicket communities attract fruit pigeons and doves. The park contributes to wildlife corridors connecting larger protected areas in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Echidnas and lace monitors forage through the leaf litter.

The park protects subtropical rainforest and dry vine thicket communities, with the characteristic species of the Sunshine Coast hinterland including hoop pines, strangler figs, and various rainforest trees. The vine thicket communities are listed as threatened nationally. Lantana invasion in the rainforest margins requires active management.

The park sits on the geology of the Gympie region, with basalt and other volcanic rocks underlying the productive soils supporting the rainforest. The terrain reflects erosion of the volcanic and sedimentary rocks forming the Sunshine Coast hinterland hills.

Warm subtropical climate with rainfall of 1,200–1,500 millimetres annually. Summer is warm and humid, winter mild. The elevated terrain captures additional rainfall compared to the coastal lowlands.

The Gympie district is part of the traditional country of the Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) people. European settlement from the 1860s–1870s, accelerated by the Gympie gold rush, transformed the landscape with timber-getting and farming.

Woondum National Park was established to protect subtropical rainforest remnants in the Gympie hinterland, contributing to the conservation network of the Sunshine Coast hinterland and Cooloola region.

Walking through subtropical rainforest with birdwatching and wildlife observation. The lush vegetation of the vine thicket is the primary attraction. Day use from Gympie.

Limited day use facilities. Access from Gympie via local roads. 2WD suitable. Gympie provides nearby services.

Weed management, particularly lantana control in the rainforest margins, is the primary conservation challenge. Maintaining connectivity with other protected areas in the Sunshine Coast hinterland is important for wildlife movement.