Russo Nature Park

I’m not really sure when I first noticed the sign on Goodwood Road pointing to Russo Nature Park but recently I remembered it and decided it was a time we go see what was there.

We packed our Wide Bay Kids up for the day and headed off.  This park is located 7 km north of Childers and 20 minutes south of Bundaberg off Goodwood Road…..and what a surprise find it was!

Can I just say we had nothing but whinging and whining before we left home on this adventure. We took 3 kids, 11, 8, and 7 to explore the park, all very resistant at leaving home……to our delight this all this changed as soon as we entered the park!

Being 2 girls who grew up on a farm, and who often jumped the fence and headed into the bush on an adventure we could not believe our kids had never been walking in the bush! How could this be?

As we entered the park each of the kids grabbed a stick. They made a staff, bow and arrow and a gun.  The complaining stopped and we heard things like:

It was heart warming to see them jump in and embrace what was in front of them.

Stockyard Creek greets you at the entrance of the Park and follows you as you explore. We spent most of our time at the widest part of the creek about 200m in and across the bridge.

None of our Wide Bay Kids had ever seen a shallow fresh water creek like this. We took our shoes and socks off and paddled in the water. We saw tadpoles, moss, and water plants. The sound of the running water was tranquil, calming and soothing to our ears, hands and feet.

A picnic table is located near this area in a nice shady spot perfect for enjoying the serenity or having a rest and snack on your way out.

This park consists of 3 very well maintained and signed walking tracks, the lookout, rain forest, and blue gum.  We took both the blue gum and lookout tracks.

This track is only 200m. It winds it’s way through the bush and follows the creek. One of our Wide Bay Kids spotted some water lilies to her delight.

A great wooden seat can be found half way along this track perfect for a rest if you need. This track leads to a huge blue gum tree and a prefect photo opportunity.

This track is 400m and winds its way up to the lookout…….and something that the kids were not really impressed with. A picnic table is located at the top and a couple of wooden chairs are scattered along the path for rest stops.

In hind sight the kids would have been happier just taking the blue gum track and playing in the creek.  I think we should have walked along the lookout track and turned back once it started to climb.

What is there: A few picnic tables and chairs along the walks. The walks are very well signed and the tracks are well maintained. No mozzies, but I’d take insect repellent just in case. If you own a pram with pump up tyres it will handle the main areas of the park but not the gum tree track or the climbing section of the lookout track.

What is missing: Toilets, but this is the bush! When we finished in the park we headed into Childers and hit the heated pool!

Name Russo Nature Park

Location 114 Park Avenue, North Isis

Open 7 days

Directions The park is located 7km north of Childers and 20 minutes south of Bundaberg on the Goodwood Road.  Turn off Goodwood Road at the sign on Stockyard Road and take the first right (about 400m) into Rosemount Drive.  When you come to the T intersection turn right and follow the road around.  The road will end, proceeds across the paddock to where you will see the Park entrance. Find directions to the park here.