Carnarvon Gorge, Australia Visitor Information
Details About Camping At Carnarvon Gorge In Central Queensland
Dec 19, 2008
Carnarvon Gorge, within the 16,000 hectares of Carnarvon National Park, extends 35 kilometres into the sandstone of the central Queensland highlands. The gorge contains huge cliffs, up to 600 metres high, smaller side gorges with fascinating rock formations and is home to a wide range of flora and fauna.
The elusive platypus, one of only two mammals that lay eggs (monotremes) can be seen in the creeks and waterholes throughout the gorge. The other mammal that lays eggs, the echidna, is also found at Carnarvon Gorge.
Getting To Carnarvon Gorge
Carnarvon Gorge is about 600 kilometres drive from Brisbane. The closest towns are Rolleston, (110 kilometres north), and Injune (155 kilometres south).
From the turn off the Carnarvon Highway, the 45 kilometre drive to the gorge can become impassable after heavy rain due to flooded creek crossings.
Facilities At Carnarvon Gorge
There are three main accommodation options:
1) Takarakka Bush Resort offer cabins and campsites, including power. Basic supplies can be purchased at Takarakka.
2) Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge has cabins and a licensed restaurant.
3) The National Park day-use area is open for camping during Easter and the winter and spring school holidays.
Bush camping is also available (refer below).
The commercial facilities are four kilometres from the start of the main walking track. Also located here are the day use area and Carnarvon Gorge information centre.
Domestic animals are not permitted in Carnarvon National Park.
Walking Tracks At Carnarvon Gorge
The track system at Carnarvon Gorge is very simple. The main track wanders up the gorge, crossing Carnarvon Creek 22 times, from the information centre to Big Bend campsite. Side branches lead off to points of interest.
Three days would be required to hike all the tracks, including the side gorges and Aboriginal art sites.
Some sites are monitored by cameras to prevent vandalism of the Aboriginal artwork.
Half Day Walks At Carnarvon Gorge
The following information on times, track classifications and distances are advised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (www.epa.qld.gov.au).
The tracks are classified under the “Australian Standard For Walking Tracks”.
Baloon Cave Aboriginal cultural trail (1kilometre return 45 minutes Class 2) is a short walk to a small sandstone overhang with Aboriginal rock art.
Mickey Creek Gorge walk (2 kilometre return 1.5 hours Class 3) follows Mickey Creek with narrow side gorges.
Boolimba Bluff walk (6.2 kilometre return 2–3 hours Class 3) gains 200 metres vertical height to a lookout over the gorge and surrounding country. The walk includes ladders, nearly 1,000 steps and is the only track to the top of the gorge.
The Rock Pool is about one kilometre from the commercial facilities and provides a spot to cool off in the heat of the day or at the end of a day’s hiking.
Full Day Walks At Carnarvon Gorge
There are a number of full day walks at Carnarvon Gorge. These longer walks include the Aboriginal art sites that are considered “some of the finest Aboriginal rock art in Australia.”
For detailed information on these full day walks, refer to Day Walks At Carnarvon Gorge.
Overnight Walks And Bush Camping At Carnarvon Gorge
Bush camping can be undertaken at the Big Bend campsite at the end of the 10 kilometre main track. For more information, refer to Hiking And Bush Camping Within Carnarvon Gorge.
Carnarvon Gorge is the ancestral home of the Karingbal and Bidjara people. On the EPA website these traditional owners say:
“Carnarvon Gorge is our country. The spirit of our people is at home here. We welcome you to this place”.
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