AN egg-shaped pile of rocks that will crumble into its environment has cost taxpayers almost $700,000 after being built in a remote section of national park near the Sunshine Coast.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the Department of Environment and Resource Management, under the former state Labor government, quietly commissioned British artist Andy Goldsworthy to create the "not-to-be-missed attraction", in the rugged Conondale National Park.

Strangler Cairn, made from granite and slate from a local quarry, will eventually "blend into its environment" when a strangler fig grows over it.

The Courier-Mail has obtained a briefing note from National Parks to Minister Steve Dickson breaking down the $684,000 Arts Queensland project.

Of that, $330,000 was paid to Goldsworthy, who was flown from Scotland, while the rest went on "production expenses".

This included $50,000 to heli-lift the 30-tonne collection of rocks to the site, about two hours' drive north of Brisbane.

"Labor placed this pile of artfully arranged rocks on an offshoot of a 56km walking track which takes experienced bushwalkers four days to cover," Mr Dickson said.

"They spent well over half a million dollars of taxpayer funds on an international artist to 'enhance' a remote area with art that is designed to eventually disappear."

Opposition arts spokesman Jackie Trad could not say how many people had viewed the monument.

"This is just a diversionary tactic by the LNP Government which is experiencing a loss of public confidence because of their cuts to frontline services and the sacking of thousands of workers," she said.

Originally published as Taxpayers shelled out $700k for rocks