Carnarvon Gorge, Carnarvon National Park Guide

Photo: © Michael O’Connor (background); © Qld Govt (Ranger)

Carnarvon Gorge Visitor Centre. Centre. Visitor Gorge Carnarvon

queensland.com queensland.com to help plan your stay. your plan help to Visit beside the track? Satisfy your curiosity by exploring the the exploring by curiosity your Satisfy track? the beside

facilities. accommodation private of range a at What was that bird you saw or the little orchid you spied spied you orchid little the or saw you bird that was What

park the outside just stay can you year the of time any At

a rummaging echidna. rummaging a

qld.gov.au/Camping at advance in well site camp

or insects up snapping fairy-wrens busy squabbling, Ranger Huw Ranger

gear into Big Bend for a bush camping experience. Book your your Book experience. camping bush a for Bend Big into gear You might see whiptail wallabies grazing, apostle birds birds apostle grazing, wallabies whiptail see might You and my fellow rangers, appreciate every day. every appreciate rangers, fellow my and

September–October Queensland school holidays or hike your your hike or holidays school Queensland September–October Enjoy a picnic or cook up a storm on a gas barbecue. barbecue. gas a on storm a up cook or picnic a Enjoy I, that privilege a is parks national spectacular

Gorge camping area during the Easter, June–July and and June–July Easter, the during area camping Gorge

to protect and conserve one of Queensland’s most most Queensland’s of one conserve and protect to

and refresh. refresh. and

Set up your home away from home in the leafy Carnarvon Carnarvon leafy the in home from away home your up Set

without its challenges. However, the opportunity opportunity the However, challenges. its without

rest can you where spots shady cool of plenty has Area

Living and working on a remote national park is not not is park national remote a on working and Living

days exploring Carnarvon Gorge and discover its many secrets. many its discover and Gorge Carnarvon exploring days many sites. The lush and inviting Carnarvon Gorge Visitor Visitor Gorge Carnarvon inviting and lush The sites. many

place that will entice, inspire and recharge you. Spend a few few a Spend you. recharge and inspire entice, will that place your long hot day on the road or after exploring the gorge’s gorge’s the exploring after or road the on day hot long your

relax over a picnic or explore along the creek—this is a special special a is creek—this the along explore or picnic a over relax palms amid grazing kangaroos and chattering birds after after birds chattering and kangaroos grazing amid palms

Enjoy Carnarvon Gorge your way. Tackle an adventurous walk, walk, adventurous an Tackle way. your Gorge Carnarvon Enjoy Rejuvenate in a green oasis beneath tall eucalypts and and eucalypts tall beneath oasis green a in Rejuvenate

Stay a while a Stay Rest and relax and Rest

Carnarvon Gorge where you can go swimming. swimming. go can you where Gorge Carnarvon

water of past ﬂoods, the Rock Pool is the only place in in place only the is Pool Rock the ﬂoods, past of water

or phone 13 19 40. 19 13 phone or Carved from the bed of Carnarvon Creek by the turbulent turbulent the by Creek Carnarvon of bed the from Carved

Photos: Robert Ashdown Ashdown Robert Photos:

qldtraffic.qld.gov.au at conditions road check out, set for fish and turtles, or take a refreshing dip on a hot day. day. hot a on dip refreshing a take or turtles, and fish for yellow-bellied glider (right). glider yellow-bellied

Carnarvon Gorge Visitor Area (above); (above); Area Visitor Gorge Carnarvon watching trees casuarina and ﬁg of shade the in Linger

you Before it! forget ﬂooded, it’s If roads. access cutting

Camping Area (top); Picnicking at at Picnicking (top); Area Camping

from the Carnarvon Gorge Visitor Area Visitor Gorge Carnarvon the from

access for all vehicles. Carnarvon Creek rises rapidly after rain, rain, after rapidly rises Creek Carnarvon vehicles. all for access Gorge Carnarvon in Camping

3.6km or park car Pool Rock from return 400m conditions along the way. The bitumen road to the park allows allows park the to road bitumen The way. the along conditions

Ranger Emma Ranger Carnarvon Gorge is remote so expect some challenging challenging some expect so remote is Gorge Carnarvon Rock Pool Rock M

heading out at night spotlighting. spotlighting. night at out heading

south-east of Emerald. Emerald. of south-east

Ashdown Robert right): to (left Photos the Mickey Creek car park. car Creek Mickey the

241km and Roma of north 246km Rockhampton, of west

beautiful surroundings. Whether Whether surroundings. beautiful

Mickey Creek Gorge walk (right) walk Gorge Creek Mickey

the country with care and respect. and care with country the

from 1.5km ends track formed The crossings. creek on south- 450km Brisbane, of north-west 740km approximately

(left); Creek Carnarvon Exploring viewing opportunities in these these in opportunities viewing

Photographer Duncan McDermant, 1978 McDermant, Duncan Photographer

cultural heritage place and ask that you explore explore you that ask and place heritage cultural needed is caution and slippery are track the of sections cliffs rising above the distant tree-line. Carnarvon Gorge is is Gorge Carnarvon tree-line. distant the above rising cliffs

Enjoy the many great wildlife wildlife great many the Enjoy

enjoy the scents of the bush. the of scents the enjoy

can look for swamp wallabies resting from the heat. Rocky Rocky heat. the from resting wallabies swamp for look can Feel the excitement build as you drive across plains towards towards plains across drive you as build excitement the Feel

Aboriginal people have with this signiﬁcant signiﬁcant this with have people Aboriginal

and tranquillity enter the spirit. Breathe deeply and and deeply Breathe spirit. the enter tranquillity and

where walking changes to an off-track adventure. Here you you Here adventure. off-track an to changes walking where Getting to the Gorge the to Getting

We acknowledge the long and ongoing connection connection ongoing and long the acknowledge We great rivers. great Hasten slowly in this wild place. Let the feeling of peace peace of feeling the Let place. wild this in slowly Hasten

Wander along Mickey Creek and into narrow side-gorges side-gorges narrow into and Creek Mickey along Wander the aptly-named ‘Roof of Queensland’, the source of many many of source the Queensland’, of ‘Roof aptly-named the

3km return from Mickey Creek car park car Creek Mickey from return 3km out onto the rugged plateaus of the Great Dividing Range— Dividing Great the of plateaus rugged the onto out

senses and nurture your spirit discovering the wealth of cultural and natural treasures of this very special park. park. special very this of treasures natural and cultural of wealth the discovering spirit your nurture and senses Mickey Creek Gorge Creek Mickey

87km Carnarvon Great Walk. Wind up towering slopes and and slopes towering up Wind Walk. Great Carnarvon 87km K

Venture deep into cool, lush side-gorges, their subtly-coloured walls carved by water and time. Awaken your your Awaken time. and water by carved walls subtly-coloured their side-gorges, lush cool, into deep Venture answer the call of adventure and trek some or all of the the of all or some trek and adventure of call the answer

views over the luscious green gorge below a lookout or or lookout a below gorge green luscious the over views watching visit at dusk or dawn. or dusk at visit watching strewn Carnarvon Creek reveal a splendid scene, new plant or amazing animal. animal. amazing or plant new scene, splendid a reveal Creek Carnarvon strewn

narrow side gorges on longer walks. Soak up the magniﬁcent magniﬁcent the up Soak walks. longer on gorges side narrow you might spy an elusive platypus. For the best wildlife wildlife best the For platypus. elusive an spy might you

white sandstone cliffs envelop a creek-side oasis. Let every twist and turn of boulder- of turn and twist every Let oasis. creek-side a envelop cliffs sandstone white

beneath towering sandstone walls and deep inside cool cool inside deep and walls sandstone towering beneath Creek. Look for turtles basking in the sun, and if you’re quiet, quiet, you’re if and sun, the in basking turtles for Look Creek.

Take an unforgettable journey deep into a spectacular steep-sided gorge, where towering towering where gorge, steep-sided spectacular a into deep journey unforgettable an Take

banks on short walks or discover hidden wonders tucked tucked wonders hidden discover or walks short on banks Spot lots of wildlife from the shady banks of Carnarvon Carnarvon of banks shady the from wildlife of lots Spot

1.5km return from the Carnarvon Gorge Visitor Area Visitor Gorge Carnarvon the from return 1.5km waters of Carnarvon Creek as you stroll along its shady shady its along stroll you as Creek Carnarvon of waters Carnarvon Gorge Carnarvon

Delight in the dazzling colours reﬂected in the sparkling sparkling the in reﬂected colours dazzling the in Delight Nature Trail Nature

Take your time exploring deep into Carnarvon Gorge on foot. foot. on Gorge Carnarvon into deep exploring time your Take

Welcome to Welcome

Short walks Short foot on Venture

Queensland National Parks

Further information Longer walks F Wards Canyon Remote hiking Explore respectfully 9.2km return Pack your hiking gear and take on the remote sections of Unfortunately, some cultural sites within national parks qld.gov.au/NationalParks A The main gorge walking track Be enticed into cool and inviting Wards Canyon on a hot the Carnarvon Great Walk linking the Carnarvon Gorge have been damaged through deliberate or natural means, Criss-cross Carnarvon Creek as it winds 9.7km to the qld.gov.au/Camping day. Climb the short, steep track winding through spotted and Mount Moffatt sections of Carnarvon National Park. with some rock art ruined or even completely destroyed. Carnarvon tranquil waters of Big Bend. Explore side-tracks leading to gums, past a small waterfall and into a beautiful side-gorge, You’ll need 6 to 7 days, good preparation and high-level Help us work with the local Aboriginal peoples to protect qld.gov.au/ParkAlerts narrow, hidden gorges and timeless rock art sites. This track sheltering the world’s largest fern, the king fern Angiopteris bushwalking and navigational experience. For your safety, this precious heritage. When visiting rock art sites please (access, closures and conditions) is mostly flat, although you must step from rock to rock Gorge evecta. These impressive green ‘dinosaurs’ have strong links complete a bushwalking advice form and leave a copy with remember the art is very fragile and can be permanently qldnationalparks Scan to check across the creek and some side-tracks are steep. someone responsible before you depart. Organise your park alerts with the ancient flora of Gondwanan origin. damaged if touched—even by accident. Enjoy a close look, camping permit at qld.gov.au/Camping and purchase a map Carnarvon At Big Bend the graded track system ends and the remote but please remain on boardwalks where provided. @QldParks; #QldParks before you head out. Check online at parks.des.qld.gov.au/ hiking trail of the Carnarvon Great Walk begins. G Art Gallery parks/carnarvon-great-walk for more details. National Park This brochure is also available online 10.8km return at qld.gov.au/ParkBrochures C Boolimba Bluff Nurture your spirit gazing at over 2000 engravings, ochre Pack the essentials 6.4km return stencils and free-hand paintings adorning the 62m long Guided adventures • Plenty of drinking water—walking up the exposed gorge Discover what lies above the cliff line. Scale the steep slopes sandstone walls of this significant Aboriginal site. The Art Treat yourself and enhance your Carnarvon Gorge adventure. can be hot and thirsty work. and be rewarded with views out towards distant ranges at Gallery contains some of the best examples of stencil art in Guided tours are offered by commercial operators—just • First-aid kit—you never know when you might need it. Boolimba Bluff, towering 200m above Carnarvon Creek. Australia. search on the Internet for Carnarvon Gorge guided tours. Walk through spotted gum woodland, rainforest scrub and • Sunscreen, hat, appropriate clothing and good stands of budgeroo in the early morning rays to best enjoy H walking shoes. d To Emerald Cathedral Cave l Roa Other top spots to visit enta the gorge’s most diverse and only lookout track. • Strong plastic bags or containers to remove your rubbish. opm Dawson 18.2km return vel If you enjoy Carnarvon Gorge, why not visit some other De Highway n This massive wind-eroded overhang sheltered Aboriginal No bins are provided. so wonders in Carnarvon National Park—it covers nearly aw D Moss Garden To Tambo D people for thousands of years. Admire the panorama of rock 3,000km2 of some of Central Queensland’s wildest scenery. • Satellite phone, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Rolleston 7km return imagery adorning its walls—reflecting the rich cultural life Mt Cungelella To Dip your toes into the spring-fed waters of the Nogoa River, topographic map, navigation equipment and sterilisation Beneath tree ferns straining for sunlight, a small waterfall of those who gathered here. Playfair Road C Biloela Road Buckland a winding its way through a broad, picturesque valley beneath tablets if taking on the remote sections of the Carnarvon Road r tumbles over a rock ledge into a pool of reflections. Here n Ka Ka a craggy sandstone outcrops at Salvator Rosa. Drive 168km Salvator r v water dripping constantly from the sandstone sustains a I Boowinda Gorge Great Walk. Rosa Mundi Carnarvon o n from Springsure or 135km from Tambo via Mount Playfair

lush, green carpet of mosses, ferns and liverworts. National Park • Camera for recording the wonderful memories of your To Tambo D 18.4km return Road. 4WD is required. e r Mount v Warr ive e Rock-hop into a sculpted side-gorge 100m upstream of unforgettable visit to this awesome park. eg R Moffatt l o o E Relax at the peaceful camping spot near Bunbuncundoo p Amphitheatre Cathedral Cave. The ﬁrst kilometre of this boulder-strewn

Carnarvon k m e

k Gorge e e Springs in Ka Ka Mundi where more than 30km of remote e r gorge is the most spectacular with its sculpted walls of r n 8.6km return e t r e C a C v sandstone escarpments and plateaus dominate the i l y Discover a secret oasis. Hidden inside the gorge walls is moss covered sandstone. la R l R d hu t o n a n skyline. Drive 130km south-west of Springsure. a a Emergency! g o a a 60m deep chamber gouged from the rock by running n d o S H a 4WD is recommended. r There is limited mobile phone reception at Carnarvon a water. This is a place for quiet contemplation—the towering J Big Bend—end of main walking track M stone walls and natural skylight create an awe-inspiring Venture by 4WD to explore Mount Moffatt where sandstone Gorge. A pay phone is provided near the Carnarvon 19.4km return Womblebank atmosphere within. monoliths tower above a carpet of open woodland. Gorge Visitor Centre. Call Triple Zero (000) on the Scale Visit a natural pool nestled beneath looming sandstone walls 0 30 60km Basalt-crested plateaus form a backdrop to this subtle but To Roma Injune in Carnarvon Creek. Rest here in the shade of large spotted pay phone or your satellite mobile phone. spectacular landscape at the headwaters of the Maranoa gums and watch catﬁsh and turtles swim in the calm waters of River. Drive 220km north of Mitchell or 160km north west the upper reaches of Carnarvon Creek. A composting toilet and of Injune. picnic table are provided. You can camp here all year round. Access roads to all sections of Carnarvon National Park except Carnarvon Gorge have unsealed sections which are ©State of Queensland 2019. Boolimba Bluff is the perfect spot to capture Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, a great photo of the rising sun splashing colour slippery when wet and can become impassable after heavy Department of Environment and Science. along the gorge’s white cliffs. rain. Take care to avoid stock on unfenced roads and leave BP2173 May 2019. Printed on eco-friendly paper to save energy and resources. Ranger Garrett gates as you ﬁnd them.

Photos: (cover) Robert Ashdown © Qld Govt; (back) © Robert Ashdown Ashdown © Robert Photo: © Qld Govt Ashdown Robert Photo:

Photo: © Michael O’Connor (background); © Qld Govt (Ranger)

Carnarvon Gorge Visitor Centre. Centre. Visitor Gorge Carnarvon

queensland.com queensland.com to help plan your stay. your plan help to Visit beside the track? Satisfy your curiosity by exploring the the exploring by curiosity your Satisfy track? the beside

facilities. accommodation private of range a at What was that bird you saw or the little orchid you spied spied you orchid little the or saw you bird that was What

park the outside just stay can you year the of time any At

a rummaging echidna. rummaging a

qld.gov.au/Camping at advance in well site camp

or insects up snapping fairy-wrens busy squabbling, Ranger Huw Ranger

Gorge camping area during the Easter, June–July and and June–July Easter, the during area camping Gorge

to protect and conserve one of Queensland’s most most Queensland’s of one conserve and protect to

and refresh. refresh. and

Set up your home away from home in the leafy Carnarvon Carnarvon leafy the in home from away home your up Set

without its challenges. However, the opportunity opportunity the However, challenges. its without

rest can you where spots shady cool of plenty has Area

Living and working on a remote national park is not not is park national remote a on working and Living

Stay a while a Stay Rest and relax and Rest

Carnarvon Gorge where you can go swimming. swimming. go can you where Gorge Carnarvon

water of past ﬂoods, the Rock Pool is the only place in in place only the is Pool Rock the ﬂoods, past of water

or phone 13 19 40. 19 13 phone or Carved from the bed of Carnarvon Creek by the turbulent turbulent the by Creek Carnarvon of bed the from Carved

Photos: Robert Ashdown Ashdown Robert Photos:

qldtraffic.qld.gov.au at conditions road check out, set for fish and turtles, or take a refreshing dip on a hot day. day. hot a on dip refreshing a take or turtles, and fish for

yellow-bellied glider (right). glider yellow-bellied

Carnarvon Gorge Visitor Area (above); (above); Area Visitor Gorge Carnarvon watching trees casuarina and ﬁg of shade the in Linger

you Before it! forget ﬂooded, it’s If roads. access cutting

Camping Area (top); Picnicking at at Picnicking (top); Area Camping

from the Carnarvon Gorge Visitor Area Visitor Gorge Carnarvon the from

access for all vehicles. Carnarvon Creek rises rapidly after rain, rain, after rapidly rises Creek Carnarvon vehicles. all for access Gorge Carnarvon in Camping

3.6km or park car Pool Rock from return 400m conditions along the way. The bitumen road to the park allows allows park the to road bitumen The way. the along conditions

Ranger Emma Ranger Carnarvon Gorge is remote so expect some challenging challenging some expect so remote is Gorge Carnarvon Rock Pool Rock M

heading out at night spotlighting. spotlighting. night at out heading

south-east of Emerald. Emerald. of south-east

Ashdown Robert right): to (left Photos the Mickey Creek car park. car Creek Mickey the

241km and Roma of north 246km Rockhampton, of west

beautiful surroundings. Whether Whether surroundings. beautiful

Mickey Creek Gorge walk (right) walk Gorge Creek Mickey

the country with care and respect. and care with country the

from 1.5km ends track formed The crossings. creek on south- 450km Brisbane, of north-west 740km approximately

(left); Creek Carnarvon Exploring viewing opportunities in these these in opportunities viewing

Photographer Duncan McDermant, 1978 McDermant, Duncan Photographer

Enjoy the many great wildlife wildlife great many the Enjoy

enjoy the scents of the bush. the of scents the enjoy

Aboriginal people have with this signiﬁcant signiﬁcant this with have people Aboriginal

and tranquillity enter the spirit. Breathe deeply and and deeply Breathe spirit. the enter tranquillity and

where walking changes to an off-track adventure. Here you you Here adventure. off-track an to changes walking where Getting to the Gorge the to Getting

Wander along Mickey Creek and into narrow side-gorges side-gorges narrow into and Creek Mickey along Wander

the aptly-named ‘Roof of Queensland’, the source of many many of source the Queensland’, of ‘Roof aptly-named the

3km return from Mickey Creek car park car Creek Mickey from return 3km

out onto the rugged plateaus of the Great Dividing Range— Dividing Great the of plateaus rugged the onto out

87km Carnarvon Great Walk. Wind up towering slopes and and slopes towering up Wind Walk. Great Carnarvon 87km K

views over the luscious green gorge below a lookout or or lookout a below gorge green luscious the over views

watching visit at dusk or dawn. or dusk at visit watching strewn Carnarvon Creek reveal a splendid scene, new plant or amazing animal. animal. amazing or plant new scene, splendid a reveal Creek Carnarvon strewn

white sandstone cliffs envelop a creek-side oasis. Let every twist and turn of boulder- of turn and twist every Let oasis. creek-side a envelop cliffs sandstone white

Take an unforgettable journey deep into a spectacular steep-sided gorge, where towering towering where gorge, steep-sided spectacular a into deep journey unforgettable an Take

1.5km return from the Carnarvon Gorge Visitor Area Visitor Gorge Carnarvon the from return 1.5km

waters of Carnarvon Creek as you stroll along its shady shady its along stroll you as Creek Carnarvon of waters Carnarvon Gorge Carnarvon

Delight in the dazzling colours reﬂected in the sparkling sparkling the in reﬂected colours dazzling the in Delight Nature Trail Nature

Take your time exploring deep into Carnarvon Gorge on foot. foot. on Gorge Carnarvon into deep exploring time your Take

Welcome to Welcome

Short walks Short foot on Venture

Queensland National Parks

n Ka Ka a craggy sandstone outcrops at Salvator Rosa. Drive 168km Salvator r v water dripping constantly from the sandstone sustains a I Boowinda Gorge Great Walk. Rosa Mundi Carnarvon o

n from Springsure or 135km from Tambo via Mount Playfair

Carnarvon k m e

k Gorge e e Springs in Ka Ka Mundi where more than 30km of remote

e r gorge is the most spectacular with its sculpted walls of r n 8.6km return e t r e C a C v sandstone escarpments and plateaus dominate the i l y Discover a secret oasis. Hidden inside the gorge walls is moss covered sandstone. la R l R d hu t o n a n skyline. Drive 130km south-west of Springsure. a a Emergency! g o a a 60m deep chamber gouged from the rock by running n d o S H a 4WD is recommended. r There is limited mobile phone reception at Carnarvon a water. This is a place for quiet contemplation—the towering J Big Bend—end of main walking track M stone walls and natural skylight create an awe-inspiring Venture by 4WD to explore Mount Moffatt where sandstone Gorge. A pay phone is provided near the Carnarvon 19.4km return Womblebank atmosphere within. monoliths tower above a carpet of open woodland. Gorge Visitor Centre. Call Triple Zero (000) on the Scale Visit a natural pool nestled beneath looming sandstone walls 0 30 60km Basalt-crested plateaus form a backdrop to this subtle but To Roma Injune in Carnarvon Creek. Rest here in the shade of large spotted pay phone or your satellite mobile phone. spectacular landscape at the headwaters of the Maranoa gums and watch catﬁsh and turtles swim in the calm waters of River. Drive 220km north of Mitchell or 160km north west the upper reaches of Carnarvon Creek. A composting toilet and of Injune. picnic table are provided. You can camp here all year round. Access roads to all sections of Carnarvon National Park except Carnarvon Gorge have unsealed sections which are ©State of Queensland 2019. Boolimba Bluff is the perfect spot to capture Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, a great photo of the rising sun splashing colour slippery when wet and can become impassable after heavy Department of Environment and Science. along the gorge’s white cliffs. rain. Take care to avoid stock on unfenced roads and leave BP2173 May 2019. Printed on eco-friendly paper to save energy and resources. Ranger Garrett gates as you ﬁnd them.