For an adventure holiday and a true taste of Australian bush, step no further than Carnarvon Gorge, in Queensland's Central Highlands.
Lush tropical side gorges, tranquil waterfalls, an abundance of birds and animals, and curious Aboriginal rock art await the visitor.
Carnarvon Gorge Great Walk
Until 2009, only 25 kilometers of the Carnarvon National Park could be explored and only overnight camping allowed was at Big Bend, about 10 kilometers from Carnarvon National Park's visitor information center. However the opening, in mid 2009, of Carnarvon Gorge Great Walk presents experienced hikers with a real challenge: an 86-kilometer loop of graded hiking trail linking Carnarvon Gorge and Mount Moffatt sections of the Carnarvon National Park. Hikers pass through steep-sided gullies, carved by water over millions of years, past ancient cycads left behind by time, through open eucalypt woodland, gradually climbing 1,200 meters above sea level to 'the roof of Queensland', the Consuelo Tableland, and then back through open forest to the main park entrance.
The hike takes up to seven days, with four designated camp sites along the route. With strict control on visitor numbers entering the far-flung park areas, pre-arrangement is necessary. Online permits and booking can be arranged through Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
Booking.com
Half-Day Walks in Carnarvon Gorge
Short hikes remain the more popular choice and still carry a sense of adventure. Most hiking trails start along a common main track, leaving from the park ranger's office. Popular choices include Moss Garden, Ampitheatre, Art Gallery and Boolimbah Bluff.
Moss Garden is quite 'otherworldly'. Just 3.5 kilometers from the main park entrance, the track is rated 3 on the Australian Bushwalking Track Standards, with moderate fitness required for short steep section. Water constantly drips from the great sponges that are the surrounding sandstone cliffs, creating a cool, moist, dark microenvironment, lush with ferns and moss. A small waterfall tumbles into an icy rock pool.
The Ampitheatre is wondrous: a 60 meter deep chamber gouged by water, hidden with the walls of a gorge. Just 4.3 kilometers from the main park entrance, access is gained by climbing a metal ladder up to a mere crack in the gorge.
TsiTsikamma, in the heart of the Eastern Cape's Garden Route, is a place of staggering beauty incorporating ancient forests and special marine protected areas.
The Art Gallery is a significant Indigenous site is 5.4 kilometers from the main park entrance. A sandstone wall about 60 meters long is adorned with ancient ochre stencils, engravings and freehand drawings. 'Secret women's business' is illustrated at one end.
Boolimbah Bluff is a steep Class 4 climb, including stairs and steps, to a 200 meter vantage spot above Carnarvon Creek. It's a magnificent way to welcome the morning.
Shorter Walks Around Carnarvon Gorge
Aboriginal art can be viewed at Baloon Cave, just 500 meters from the roadside, 2.5 kilometers before the national park visitor area. Useful interpretative signs along the trail and at the cave provide insight and understanding for the independent traveler.
The Rock Pool, about two kilometers before the national park visitor area, is the only designated swimming spot. The cool water of Carnarvon Creek is a welcome respite after a day's exploring. Turtles may share the rock pool.
Where to Stay at Carnarvon Gorge
Camping in the Carnarvon Gorge National Park's day-use area is only allowed at Easter, and during winter and spring Queensland school holidays. Takarakka Bush Resort provides powered camping and caravan sites and safari-style permanent tents. Telephone 61 7 4984 4535. Email: takarakka@takarakka.com.au. Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge has timber and canvas safari cabins. Telephone 61 7 4984 4503. Email info@carnarvon-gorge.com
How to Get to Carnarvon Gorge
Carnarvon Gorge is about 750 kilometers north-west of Queensland's capital, Brisbane; the nearest major centers being Roma 200 kilometers south or Emerald, 135 kilometers north; the nearest petrol station more than 100 kilometers away. Self-drive is the most common way of getting to Carnarvon Gorge. Some of the road is unsealed.
Some outback adventure tours include Carnarvon Gorge in their itinerary.
The nearest airports are Emerald (135 kilometers north) or Roma (200 kilometers south), requiring car hire to complete the journey.
Getting to Carnarvon Gorge can be an adventure in itself, with endless kilometers of dry flat barren land giving way to majestic colored sandstone cliffs; a taste of what waits to be explored whether by experienced hikers looking for a week-long challenge or by those with energy or time for a few hours' wonder. Booking.com
Lush tropical side gorges, tranquil waterfalls, an abundance of birds and animals, and curious Aboriginal rock art await the visitor.
Carnarvon Gorge Great Walk
Until 2009, only 25 kilometers of the Carnarvon National Park could be explored and only overnight camping allowed was at Big Bend, about 10 kilometers from Carnarvon National Park's visitor information center. However the opening, in mid 2009, of Carnarvon Gorge Great Walk presents experienced hikers with a real challenge: an 86-kilometer loop of graded hiking trail linking Carnarvon Gorge and Mount Moffatt sections of the Carnarvon National Park. Hikers pass through steep-sided gullies, carved by water over millions of years, past ancient cycads left behind by time, through open eucalypt woodland, gradually climbing 1,200 meters above sea level to 'the roof of Queensland', the Consuelo Tableland, and then back through open forest to the main park entrance.
The hike takes up to seven days, with four designated camp sites along the route. With strict control on visitor numbers entering the far-flung park areas, pre-arrangement is necessary. Online permits and booking can be arranged through Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
Booking.com
Half-Day Walks in Carnarvon Gorge
Short hikes remain the more popular choice and still carry a sense of adventure. Most hiking trails start along a common main track, leaving from the park ranger's office. Popular choices include Moss Garden, Ampitheatre, Art Gallery and Boolimbah Bluff.
Moss Garden is quite 'otherworldly'. Just 3.5 kilometers from the main park entrance, the track is rated 3 on the Australian Bushwalking Track Standards, with moderate fitness required for short steep section. Water constantly drips from the great sponges that are the surrounding sandstone cliffs, creating a cool, moist, dark microenvironment, lush with ferns and moss. A small waterfall tumbles into an icy rock pool.
The Ampitheatre is wondrous: a 60 meter deep chamber gouged by water, hidden with the walls of a gorge. Just 4.3 kilometers from the main park entrance, access is gained by climbing a metal ladder up to a mere crack in the gorge.
TsiTsikamma, in the heart of the Eastern Cape's Garden Route, is a place of staggering beauty incorporating ancient forests and special marine protected areas.
The Art Gallery is a significant Indigenous site is 5.4 kilometers from the main park entrance. A sandstone wall about 60 meters long is adorned with ancient ochre stencils, engravings and freehand drawings. 'Secret women's business' is illustrated at one end.
Boolimbah Bluff is a steep Class 4 climb, including stairs and steps, to a 200 meter vantage spot above Carnarvon Creek. It's a magnificent way to welcome the morning.
Shorter Walks Around Carnarvon Gorge
Aboriginal art can be viewed at Baloon Cave, just 500 meters from the roadside, 2.5 kilometers before the national park visitor area. Useful interpretative signs along the trail and at the cave provide insight and understanding for the independent traveler.
The Rock Pool, about two kilometers before the national park visitor area, is the only designated swimming spot. The cool water of Carnarvon Creek is a welcome respite after a day's exploring. Turtles may share the rock pool.
Where to Stay at Carnarvon Gorge
Camping in the Carnarvon Gorge National Park's day-use area is only allowed at Easter, and during winter and spring Queensland school holidays. Takarakka Bush Resort provides powered camping and caravan sites and safari-style permanent tents. Telephone 61 7 4984 4535. Email: takarakka@takarakka.com.au. Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge has timber and canvas safari cabins. Telephone 61 7 4984 4503. Email info@carnarvon-gorge.com
How to Get to Carnarvon Gorge
Carnarvon Gorge is about 750 kilometers north-west of Queensland's capital, Brisbane; the nearest major centers being Roma 200 kilometers south or Emerald, 135 kilometers north; the nearest petrol station more than 100 kilometers away. Self-drive is the most common way of getting to Carnarvon Gorge. Some of the road is unsealed.
Some outback adventure tours include Carnarvon Gorge in their itinerary.
The nearest airports are Emerald (135 kilometers north) or Roma (200 kilometers south), requiring car hire to complete the journey.
Getting to Carnarvon Gorge can be an adventure in itself, with endless kilometers of dry flat barren land giving way to majestic colored sandstone cliffs; a taste of what waits to be explored whether by experienced hikers looking for a week-long challenge or by those with energy or time for a few hours' wonder. Booking.com
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