Barakula is mainly an open forest of eucalypts and cypress pine. Dogwood Creek runs through the southern part, and the northern part of the State Forest is on a section of the Great Dividing Range. The country is undulating, with stony hills and harder country in the north and west, and also some sandstone ridges and areas of sandy soil. These ridges and more open heaths are very rich in plant life and provide some most interesting wildflower habitats.

If a visit can be made in July to August a spectacular display of wattles can be seen. Over 40 species of acacias are recorded. Just a few of the more spectacular of these are Acacia bancroftii, A. buxifolia, A. amblygona, A. chinchillensis and A. neriifolia. A very rare plant, A. handonis, can be found on a minor firebreak east of the Auburn Road which runs through the forestry. This acacia has been named after Mrs. Val Hando of the Chinchilla Field Naturalists Club, who has been responsible for the extensive work done over many years in recording the plants of the Barakula State Forest. (Going Bush with Chinchilla Nats is a publication edited by Roy and Val Hando and is of great value if visiting this area, also Wildflowers of Southeast Inland Queensland by Val Hando).