Carnarvon Gorge National Park – stunning rocky landscapes & tranquil rock pools
Description
Carnarvon Gorge National Park is a stunning natural wonder located in Central Queensland, Australia. With its towering sandstone cliffs, picturesque waterfalls, and diverse flora and fauna, like emus, brumbies, wallabies, kangaroos, and goannas.
The park offers visitors an unforgettable outdoor experience.
One of the most popular activities in the park is hiking the many nature trails and walking tracks that wind through the gorge, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
With over 20 km of trails to explore, there is something for every level of hiker, from easy walks through lush rainforests to challenging treks up steep cliffs. Along the way, people can also enjoy the park’s diverse bird species, including the iconic wedge-tailed eagle and the colorful rainbow lorikeet.
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The best time to visit the park is during the cooler months of Easter, June, and July, which also coincide with the Queensland school holidays, making it an ideal destination for families.
There are two sections of the park: Carnarvon Gorge (this is where the main walk is), and Mount Moffatt.
Carnarvon Creek winds in the middle of the gorge, between high cliffs. The main gorge walk follows the gorge at the bottom, alongside the high cliffs. From the main walk, there are sidewalks that lead to amazing places.
In addition to its stunning natural beauty, Carnarvon Gorge National Park is also steeped in history and culture. The park is home to numerous ancient Indigenous rock art sites, which provide a fascinating insight into the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Visitors can take guided tours of the rock art sites and learn about the traditional ways of life of the local Indigenous people. Along the trails, you can find Aboriginal art painted on sandstone overhangs like ochre stencils, rock engravings, and freehand paintings. Aboriginal people have a long and continuing connection with the gorge.
The park is also home to a range of camping and accommodation options, making it easy for visitors to spend a few days exploring the natural beauty and cultural history of the region.
If you look for a challenge you can attempt Carnarvon Great Walk which takes between four and six days, depending on your speed and fitness. The walk is a loop that starts and ends at the visitor area.
Weather
The weather in Carnarvon Gorge National Park could be really harsh in winter or summer.
Winter is very cold with, on average, 8 nights below zero in July, so if you decide to camp you have to be really prepared with your clothing, and sleeping equipment.
In the summer months, the temperatures reach 35 degrees, so if you go for a long walk, you need to take enough water, a hat, sunscreen, and adequate clothing.
Carnarvon Gorge Average Temperatures and Rainfall
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 24 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 27 | 30 | 32 | 33 | Max |
| 20 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 19 | Min |
| 86 | 88 | 63 | 40 | 31 | 33 | 29 | 25 | 26 | 48 | 71 | 88 | Rain mm |
| 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Rain days |
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Carnarvon Gorge National Park is between March and May as well as between September and November.
Walking in these months is very pleasant as there is not too cold or too hot.
If you consider challenging the Carnarvon Great Walk plan it in these months. Start hiking early in the morning to avoid the afternoon heat.
If you prefer cold weather, plan your trip in June or July, but expect the temperatures at night may drop below zero.
Access & how to get there
Carnarvon Gorge Section
The main entrance to Carnarvon Section is located 152 km north of Injune, 252 km north of Roma or, if you coming from Emerald it is 240 km. For those who live in Brisbane, it is a 720 km drive.
After you take the Carnarvon Gorge turn-off to the west, there is only a 45 km stretch to do by Wyseby Road.
Carnarvon Highway (the road between Roma and Emerald) is fully sealed and Wyseby Road is a good condition bitumen and gravel road. Occasionally, the road may be closed after heavy rain as the creek levels increase rapidly.
The last stop to get fuel or do car repairs is in Rolleston or Injune.
Mount Moffatt Section
The best way to get to the Mount Moffatt section is from Mitchell via Womblebank Station. It is a 220 km drive and after the station, the road is unsealed and may be impassable after rain.
High clearance 4WD is recommended for this section as many attractions are only accessible by 4WD.
Accommodation
Camping – Carnarvon Gorge Section
Sandstone Park
2WD Access
Fire Pit
Toilets
No Power Sites
No Showers
Tent, Camper Site
Caravan Sites
Dogs Allowed and kennels for hire
Located 5 km from Visitor Area and 2 km before the Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge. The road to Sandstone Park is sealed.
The park is pet friendly and kennels are available for hire on a half-daily or daily basis.
Carnarvon Gorge Camping Area
2WD Access
No Fires
Toilets
No Showers
Tent, Camper Site
Caravan Sites
No Dogs Allowed
Located at the doorstep of Carnarvon Gorge National Park, right where the Visitor Area and the start of the main walk are.
Camping – Carnarvon Great Walk
There are 5 camping areas in which you can stay only for 2 nights at each camping area. Water is available in all camping areas.
Big Bend Camping Area
Accessed by walking
No Fires
Toilets
No Showers
Tent
No Dogs Allowed
Located 10 km away from Visitor Area and can be reached by following the main gorge walk.
This campground is often used as a first-night stop by hikers who take the Carnarvon Great Walk.
Gadd’s Walkers’ Camp
Accessed by walking
No Fires
Toilets
No Showers
Tent
No Dogs Allowed
Located amongst shady ironbarks, 15 km from Big Band Camping Area and 16 km from West Branch Walkers’ Camp.
West Branch Walkers’ Camp
Accessed by walking
No Fires
Toilets
No Showers
Tent
No Dogs Allowed
Located in open grassy woodland, 16 km from Gadd’s Walkers Camp and 17 km from Consuelo Camping Zone.
It is also possible to start Carnarvon Great Walk from this campground.
Consuelo Camping Zone
Accessed by walking
No Fires
Toilets
No Showers
Tent
No Dogs Allowed
Located high on the ‘Rooftop of Queensland’, 17 km from West Branch Walkers’ Camp and 14 km from Cabbage Tree Camping Zone.
The campground is placed on the edge of Consuelo Tableland, at 1000 meters above sea level.
Cabbage Tree Camping Zone
Accessed by walking
No Fires
Toilets
No Showers
Tent
No Dogs Allowed
Located in a eucalypt forest with giant cycads. It is 14 km from Consuelo Camping Zone.
Book your camping spot online via Queensland National Parks
Camping – Mount Moffatt Section
Dargonelly Rock Hole Camping Area
4WD Access
Fires
Toilets
No Showers
Tent, Camper Trailer
Off-Road Caravan Sites
No Dogs Allowed
Large camping ground located at the bank of Marlong Creek. Accessible by high-clearance 4WD. You can even bring your off-road caravan.
Top Moffatt Camping Area
4WD Access
Fires
Toilets
No Showers
Tent, Camper Trailer
No Dogs Allowed
Located beside the Maranoa River. Nested in a shady woodland with spectacular views.
Rotary Shelter Shed Camping Area
4WD Access
Fires
Toilets
No Showers
Tent
No Dogs Allowed
Located 1000 meters above sea level on the edge of the range with stunning views over the surrounding countryside.
Book your camping spot online via Queensland National Parks
Caravan Parks and Resorts
Takarakka Bush Resort
2 WD Access
Campfire
Power Sites
Cafe Shop
Tent & Cabins
No Dogs Allowed
Takarakka Bush Resort is located right at the creek and only a 5-minute drive from the mouth of the gorge. The resort is open all year round.
They offer various accommodations including studios, cottages, cabins, Taka safari tents, and powered/unpowered camping sites.
If you are lucky you can spot a platypus in the creek.
Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge
2 WD Access
Swimming Pool
Campfire
Power Sites
Cafe Shop
Tent & Cabins
No Dogs Allowed
It is the closest Carnarvon Gorge accommodation – it’s closest to the park entrance.
Lodge offers safari-style cabins and a fully licensed restaurant.
Walks
Most of the walks in the Carnarvon Gorge Section go off the main gorge walk. All walking distances are calculated from the Visitor Area.
Carnarvon Great Walk starts from The Big Bend where the remote hiking trail begins.
Mickey Creek Gorge Walk
Mickey Creek Gorge walk is located before the entrance to the gorge. This 3 km walk leads you to a narrow side gorge where you can see delicate orchids, lush ferns, and brilliant green mosses.
The sunlight does not penetrate the dense vegetation so you can enjoy the cool surrounding while walking.
Mickey Creek Gorge is a promise to what you can expect from other Carnarvon Gorge walks!
Rock Pool Walk
It is a short, 600 meters walk from the Rock Pool car park, and a 3.6 km walk from the Visitor Area.
This is where you can have a dip, relax and have a picnic in the shade of fig and casuarina trees. If you are quiet and lucky you may spot a platypus.
The main gorge walk
The main gorge walk winds at the bottom of the Carnarvon Gorge and ends at the Big Bend.
This 10 km trail is mostly flat, but occasionally you have to step from rock to rock or go across a shallow or dry creek.
There are short, sidewalks that go off the main trail and lead to the most beautiful attractions of the gorge.
It is recommended to start walking very early as it takes time to complete the sidewalks where you want to spend some time and enjoy it for some time.
Boolimba Bluff
Bulimba Bluff is the shortest route to view Carnarvon Gorge from the top of the cliff.
It is a 6.4 km walk that goes via spotted gum woodland, and rainforest scrub, and later ascends sharply where you have to take various steps and ladders to finally get to the top of the cliff.
We recommend doing Boolimba Bluff in the morning and going back to Takarakka Resort. Take proper rest and do one of the short walks in the late afternoon like Takarakka Lookout (a short walk accessible from the resort), Rock Pool, or Mickey Creek.
Moss Garden
Welcome yourself to a little oasis amongst the cliffs.
This 7 km return walk will get you to a place where water is dripping from the small waterfall over a rock ledge making a lush and green carpet of mosses.
Make sure you stay and relax for a few minutes before venturing into the next attraction.
Amphitheatre
Next on the list, 8.6 km away, is the Amphitheatre.
This is where you find 60 meters deep chamber gouged from the rock by running water. The towering walls and the sunlight coming from the ceiling make it a magnificent place!
Wards Canyon
9.2 km away from the Visitor Area you find Wards Canyon.
There is a short, steep track to get there, but you will be rewarded with a small waterfall, and a beautiful side gorge and you find the world’s largest King Fern, which remembers the ancient flora of Gondwanan.
Art Gallery
Some tourists get to Carnarvon Gorge to just see the Art Gallery which is accessible by an 11 km return walk.
This spiritual place has over 2000 engravings, ochre stencils, and freehand paintings. They are all located on 62 meters of the sandstone wall.
The Art Gallery represents the best examples of stencil art in Australia.
If you want to visit all sidewalk attractions we recommend finishing day one at the Art Gallery and coming back to your accommodation. You can walk to the Cathedral Cave and Boowinda gorge the next day by taking a direct route by the main walk.
Cathedral Cave
Located an 18 km return walk from the Visitor Area.
It is a huge eroded shelter, where Aboriginal people lived in the past.
Boowinda Gorge
Located right after the Cathedral Cave, only 100 away.
It is a spectacular gorge with sculpted walls of moss-covering sandstone.
The Big Bend – end of the main gorge walk
The Big Bend is a camping area but also a great stop where you can lunch at a picnic table and use the toilet.
Right there, there is a natural pool situated beneath the sandstone cliffs of Carnarvon Gorge. You can watch catfish or turtles swim in the water.
This is normally the last stop for daily walkers. If you want to explore more you have to go beyond The Big Bend and take Carnarvon Great Walk.
Carnarvon Great Walk
It is an 87 km walk that goes in a loop starting from Visitor Area. It is also possible to enter the trail from West Branch Walkers’ Camp.
There are 5 campgrounds located along the trail, on average 12 to 17 km away from each other.
Camping permits are required and fees apply. The permit tag and booking number have to be displayed at your campsite.
Whilst the national parks website says the walk can be completed within 6 to 7 days, the fit walkers can do it within 3 to 4 days.
The natural way of doing this walk is to walk in the morning and stay for a night at each camping area. This way you have enough time to prepare your meal, relax and enjoy nature in the afternoon.
Download Carnarvon Great Walk topographic map
Our Experience & Tips
At the end of March, we decided that finally, we need to visit Carnarvon Gorge National Park as we had heard so much about it.
In total we spent 4 days in the gorge, staying at Takarakka Bush Resort. The resort is located around the creek where you can spot a platypus (we were not lucky).
The easiest place in Queensland to spot a platypus is Eungella National Park.
We walked every day trying to visit all the key places during our stay, and I think we succeeded.
We did not go beyond Wards Canyon, but that’s ok. We will finish it off the next time.
Nell was bravely holding the big water bottle and she never complained. We tried to take it easy and always be back at the resort when the big heat came.
This way we could enjoy the afternoons, either splashing in the creek or going for the Takarakka Lookout.
We wish we could have had more time as we did not go to the Big Bend, Cathedral Cave, and Boowinda Gorge.
Carnarvon Gorge National Park is a magical place we can recommend it to anybody.
Next time we want to challenge ourselves with Carnarvon Great Walk. Stay tuned!
Have you been to Carnarvon Gorge, maybe you did The Great Walk?
Please leave a comment below.
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