Over millions of years, water has eroded a deep and dramatic gorge system within the layers of soft, white sandstone – creating majestic cliffs that change colour with the movement of the sun. Carnarvon Creek flows all year, giving life to a luxuriant growth of ferns, palms, shrubs and trees.
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Things to Experience
Walking Take a hike to explore the natural beauty of this rugged wilderness. A minimum of three days is recommended to walk the tracks, explore the side gorges and visit Aboriginal cultural sites.
Remote Walking Pack your hiking gear and take on the remote sections of the Carnarvon Great Walk. You’ll need six to seven days, good preparation and high-level bush walking experience to complete this amazing journey.
Rock Art on sandstone overhangs are a fragile reminder of Aboriginal people’s long and continuing connection with the gorge. These ochre stencils, rock engravings and freehand paintings are some of the finest Aboriginal rock imagery in Australia.
Wildlife Opportunities for birdwatching are plentiful. More than 170 bird species inhabit or visit the park. A night walk with a torch can reveal gliders, possums and bush stonecurlews. Catch a glimpse of platypus, possums and other creek life on an early morning stroll along the one kilometre Nature Trail.
Picnic Areas At the entrance to Carnarvon Gorge, a large, grassy picnic area is set amongst towering eucalypts and cabbage palms. Wheelchair accessible toilets and tables, gas barbecues and drinking water are available.
Swimming Take a refreshing dip in the Rock Pool, carved from the bed of Carnarvon Creek by the turbulent waters of past floods. It is the only place designated for swimming.
Guided Tours and Talks Enhance your Carnarvon Gorge adventure with a guided tour by one of the commercial operators.
Scenic Flight Treat yourself to a scenic flight and take in the magnificent views of Molyamber Gorge.
Rewan Memorial On your way into Carnarvon Gorge, visit the Rewan Memorial, erected to honour the lives of the Australian and US soldiers who were aboard a Dakota C-47 aircraft that broke up in a violent storm
in 1943.
Other Top Spots to Visit Carnarvon National Park has three other sections. Take a four-wheel-drive adventure to Salvator Rosa, Ka Ka Mundi (accessed via Springsure) and Mount Moffatt (accessed via Injune).
- Salvator Rosa Rocky sandstone crags and spires dominate the skyline. Enjoy crystal clear springs and colourful wildflower displays. Camp under the timeless night sky next to the Nogoa River.
- Ka Ka Mundi Drive though the undulating sandstone country and discover stately bottle trees emerging from silver brigalow forest. Camp by the springs and watch abundant birdlife.
- Mount Moffatt Enjoy spectacular views from the Consuelo Tableland, the highest plateau in Queensland.
Visitor Centre The visitor centre is open 8am to 4pm, seven days a week.
Access Carnarvon Gorge is located between Injune and Rolleston. The 45 kilometre access road is fully sealed and classed as an all-vehicle road. No fuel is available after leaving Injune or Rolleston.
National Park Camping at the gorge is only available during Easter, June-July and September-October school holidays. Camping permits are essential and bookings must be made in advance online with Queensland National Parks. Privately-run accommodation is available nearby year round – find more information here.
For further information, maps, walks and camping permits, visit queenslandnationalparks.com.au
Popular sites
Mickey Creek Gorge Wander along Mickey Creek and into narrow side gorges where the walking track becomes a rock-hopping adventure.
Boolimba Bluff Gaze out to distant ranges at Boolimba Bluff, which towers 200 metres above Carnarvon Creek. This is the only formed lookout track from the gorge and passes through a diversity of habitats.
Art Gallery Over two thousand engravings, ochre stencils and freehand paintings adorn the 62-metre-long sandstone walls of this significant Aboriginal site.
Moss Garden Water drips constantly from the sandstone walls of the Moss Garden, supporting a lush carpet of mosses, ferns and liverworts.
Nature Trail Grab your camera and get up close to the local wildlife along the banks of Carnarvon Creek.
Amphitheatre Hidden inside the walls of the gorge is a 60-metre deep chamber, gouged from the rock by running water.
Boowinda Gorge Rock-hop into this sculpted side gorge, 100 metres upstream of Cathedral Cave.
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