As part of Queensland’s Centenary of Parks celebrations, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rangers are hosting four overnight adventures in four central west national parks in August.

The events will start on August 15-16 at Idalia National Park and continue through Lochern, Welford and Diamantina national parks over the following week and a half.

EPA Senior Ranger Andrew Kingston said this was a rare opportunity for people to tour these western parks with rangers, and see areas and wildlife not normally part of the visitor experience.

“At Idalia, participants have the opportunity to spot endangered bridled nailtail wallabies. We will be visiting the enclosure plots so people will get to see what we do to protect this species,” Mr Kingston said.

“At Lochern on August 18-19 and Welford on August 20–21, we’ll be taking people birdwatching at some of the parks’ beautiful waterholes, hosting barbecue dinners and slideshows, and taking tours of some of our historical sites.

“And at the last event, we’ll take people spotlighting to find some very special species on Diamantina National Park. We’ll be looking for dunnarts, hopping mice and two endangered species — kowaris and bilbies.

“On the last days at Diamantina on August 23-24 , we’ll take a closer look at a bilby burrow complex, and will show participants some of our management and monitoring activities under the EPA Pest Arrest program.”

Mr Kingston said the events were as much about people as they were about park management.

“These events are about people coming outback, seeing and learning new things, meeting the people behind the parks and having a fun experience together,” he said.

“We remind people that bookings are limited and these parks are remote.

“We want everyone to enjoy their time, so please book ahead and come well prepared for outback travel.”

To book or find out more, please call the EPA’s Longreach office on (07) 4652 7333 between 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

More information about the Centenary of Parks is at www.epa.qld.gov.au