Jack Smith Scrub Conservation Park is a small softwood scrub north-west of Murgon, named after Jack Smith who donated the park. The area was once a vast dry rainforest, with land clearing for agriculture there are only small pockets remaining. A similar scrub is on nearby Boat Mountain Conservation Park in the Silburns Vine Scrub walk.
Jack Smith Scrub has a 900m circuit walk, Owenia nature walk. It is a tighter walk than Silburns Vine Scrub walk and the track is not as well defined, but still easy to follow. There were a lot of cobwebs across the trail, so a stick to wave ahead of you saves you from the Where Is The Spider dance. The ground is fairly flat with some gentle slopes.
I spotted a quail in the scrub, and some of its scratchings on the trail. Jack Smith Scrub doesn’t appear to be used as often as Boat Mountain, so perhaps the quail were less likely to avoid the trail.
At the entry of the scrub, there is room for a couple of vehicles and a table with bench seats that were just about in shade at 11am. Looking to the south from the scrub is a nice view while having a break.
The walk is not too long taking about 30mins, but it is recommended to take water with you, especially in the hotter months. Insect repellent would be advised as well.
To get there:
From Goomeri, head south on the Bunya Hwy (starts as Burnett Hwy in Goomeri). Turn right into Manyung Rd at the brown sign and continue for 3.6km to Reifs Rd. Turn right, and after 11.4km Jack Smith Scrub is on the right, just before Bellottis and Uptons Rds.
From Murgon, head west along Bunya Hwy, and turn right into Gayndah Rd, passed to Queensland Dairy and Heritage Museum. Follow Gayndah Rd for 11km, turn right into Pringles Hill Rd. Continue along Pringles Hill Rd for 2.4km. Pringles Hill Rd becomes Smiths Rd just after crossing over Bellottis and Uptons Rds. Jack Smith Scrub is less than 200m on the left.
From Boat Mountain Conservation Park, head out from Hebbel Dr and turn left into Daniel Rd. At the end of Daniel Rd, turn right onto Reifs Road, and after 6.1km Jack Smith Scrub is on the right, just before Bellottis and Uptons Rds.
Cost: Free
Hours: Anytime
Toilets: No
Bins: No
Tables: Yes
Seating: Yes, at table
Water: No
Food: No
Wheelchair accessible: No
Pets: No
