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Carnarvon National Park is situated at the southern end of the "Central Highlands" region and is at the edge of Queenslands sandstone belt. It contains spectacularly eroded sandstone outcrops, cliffs and gorges. The park is a watershed for a large portion of Australia's river systems. The Nogoa, Comet, Maranoa and Warrego Rivers all have their headwaters here. The Nogoa and Comet head north and east to join the Fitzroy River and the Warrego and Maranoa Rivers head south and west to join the Murray Darling system.
Carnarvon National Park has four separate sections, each with it's own unique landscape, plants and animals. Each area can be accessed and visited in isolation or explored as a complete trek.
1. Mt. Moffatt section
2. Carnarvon Gorge section
3. Ka Ka Mundi section
4. Salvador Rosa section
1. Mt Moffatt
Mt Moffatt is the southern most section of the Carnarvon National Park and is home to some of the most spectacular sandstone formations in Australia. The Duchess or Looking Glass, The Chimneys, Lot's Wife and Marlong Arch are some of the must see formations.
The gravel road into Mt Moffatt is rough but can be traversed by 2WD vehicles in dry weather, with a lot of care, as far the Dargonelly Rock Hole and West Branch camp areas.
The two other camp areas are at the Rotary Shelter Shed and the old Homestead Site. Access to these areas and all other tracks in the park are 4WD only. The tracks, including the road back to Injune can become impassable for days after heavy rain so make sure you have enough food, water and time to stay put for an extra few days.
Mt. Moffatt was home to the Nuri and Bidjara Aboriginal peoples for around 20,000 years and they have left a legacy of art works throughout the park. The most significant art site is Kennif Cave but it is now closed to the public. Shifting rock formations have put the cave roof in danger of collapse. Kennif Cave is named after the Kennif brothers, Patrick and James. They were turn of the 20th century bushrangers, who used the cave as a hide out. Near the cave is the Murder Site; where the brothers allegedly killed a constable and station manager sent out to arrest them; and the Incineration Site; where evidence suggests they burnt the bodies before packing the remains into the constables saddlebags and sending his horse back to town.
The park rises to 1150m above sea level and affords spectacular views over the surrounding country from the Top Shelter near the Rotary Shed campground. The track past the Top Shelter Shed takes you down to the Peawaddy Gorge, the Mahogany Forest and the head of Carnarvon Creek, famous for the creation of Carnarvon Gorge.
There are no tracks from Mt Moffatt to the Carnarvon Gorge, Ka Ka Mundi or Salvador Rosa sections.
2. Carnarvon Gorge
This is the most well known and visited section of the park. 2WD vehicles and caravans can access the park in dry weather but the roads can become impassable after rain.
Camping is only permitted in the park during Easter and the winter and spring Queensland School holidays. Early bookings are a must for these times.
Alternatively there is a privately run bush resort and a wilderness lodge less than 5km from the park. There is a farmstay 57km away on the sealed Carnarvon Highway that offers an option for travellers with caravans who don't want to tow over the rough gravel roads.
Carnarvon Gorge boasts some of Australia's best Aboriginal rock art. A visit to either Baloon Caves (500m walk) the Art Gallery (1/2 day walk) or Cathedral Caves (full day walk) is a must. Spring feed Carnarvon Creek and the gorge is home to over 150 birds and native animals. Remnant rainforest grows in the sheltered side gorges. Over 20km of walking tracks allow access to waterfalls, lookouts, rock art sites and other park features. Some of the tracks, like Battleship Spur, are challenging and should only be attempted by fit, experienced bush walkers.
There are no direct roads from Carnarvon Gorge to the Mt Moffatt, Ka Ka Mundi or Salvador Rosa sections.
3. Ka Ka Mundi
Isolated Ka Ka Mundi is a direct contrast to the busy Carnarvon Gorge section. The camp ground at Bunbuncundoo Springs has no amenities or supplies including drinking water. Campers need to be totally self-sufficient with food, water and fuel to last for their stay plus a reserve. 2WD vehicle access is possible but not recommended. The roads become impassable after rain.
The Ka Ka Mundi section protects areas of brigalow scrub and other native vegetation. Rainforest patches grow along the base of sandstone cliffs, drawing moisture from the many springs that dot the cliffs. The area is a haven for a variety of native animals including swamp wallabies, wallaroos and king parrots.
4. Salvador Rosa
Heavily eroded sandstone outcrops are a stunning feature of the Salvador Rosa section of Carnarvon National Park. Places to visit include Spyglass Peak and The Eye of The Needle. This section is extremely remote with few facilities. Make sure you are totally self sufficient and have enough fuel, food and water plus a reserve in case wet weather hits.
2WD vehicle access is possible to the camp ground but not recommended. A 4WD is vital in the park.
Major Mitchell camped in Salvador Rosa on his way to the Gulf of Carpentaria, and a self guided trail through the park takes in his camp site and other features of this section.
Fuel Supplies
Mitchell, Injune, Rolleston, Springsure, Tambo
Fuel Required
4cyl LPG 245litres, 6cyl ULP 213litres - fuel used based on data stored in
TrekFuelBest time to visit
April to September. Winter mornings can be cold and frosty and Summer days are extremely hot. Roads become impassable after wet weather.
Permits
Camping permits are available from self-registration stations or from Qld National Parks & Wildlife.
Roma – 46224151
Springsure – 49841716
Emerald – 49824555
Supplies/Facilities
Most facilities at Mitchell, Injune, Rolleston, Springsure, and Tambo. Basic supplies, but no fuel, at Takarrakka Bush Resort, Carnarvon Gorge.
General
Take sufficient drinking water, food, fuel, and spare parts, especially if you intend going into the more remote sections of the park. A good first aid kit should be part of your camping equipment. The longest distance with no fuel is 524km from Springsure to Tambo and does not include side trips beyond the camp grounds in the Ka Ka Mundi and Salvador Rosa sections. There is no mobile phone coverage in the park. Camp sites are limited at some locations so book early for long weekends and during school holidays.
Spectacular scenery, isolation, bird watching, Aboriginal rock art, swimming, natural bushland.
Carnarvon National Park sits astride the Consuelo Tableland and Great Dividing Range. It's basalt topped mountains and weathered sandstone outcrops hide an array of different ecosystems. Natural grasslands on Marlong Plain, Brigalow scrub and Bonewood at Ka Ka Mundi, rainforest in Carnarvon Gorge and mahogany forest at the head of Carnarvon Creek provide habits for more than 50 different types of mammals more than 60 different reptiles and over 160 different bird species. This area truly is a nature lover's paradise.
Aboriginal peoples have inhabited the Carnarvon National Park for around 20,000 years. They've left a wealth of significant art work through the park. Early European exploration began with Major Thomas Mitchell's visit to the area in 1846. The following year Edmund Kennedy explored the area in greater detail.
The whole region south of Carnarvon National Park is cattle grazing country while broad acre farming is encroaching from the Springsure district to the north. Parts of Carnarvon National Park where grazed as cattle runs as the old Homestead site at Mt Moffatt and the cattle yards near Bunbuncundoo Springs testify.
We need new driving notes for this trek note. See our
How to Submit a Trek Note page.
| From Section to Section |
Distance |
| Injune to Mt Moffatt |
191km |
| Mt Moffatt to Carnarvon Gorge |
333km |
| Carnarvon Gorge to Ka Ka Mundi |
305km |
| Ka Ka Mundi to Salvator Rosa |
196km |
| Salvator Rosa to Tambo |
198km |
| Distance from start |
Distance between points |
Description |
| Trip Meter (km) |
| 0 |
0 |
Injune |
| 191 |
191 |
Mt Moffatt Ranger Station via Womblebank. Signposted from Injune. |
| 370 |
179 |
Return to Injune via Westgrove Station then head north on the
Carnarvon Highway. |
| 480 |
110 |
Turn left onto bitumen road at the signposted Carnarvon Gorge turn
off. |
| 524 |
44 |
Carnarvon Gorge Visitor Area. |
| 568 |
44 |
Return to Carnarvon Highway. Turn left to Rolleston. |
| 629 |
61 |
Rolleston - follow signs to Springsure |
| 699 |
70 |
Springsure - follow signs towards Tambo on the Dawson Developmental
Road. |
| 751 |
52 |
Turn left onto Buckland Road. Follow signs to park. (Alternatively
straight on to Salvator Rosa or Tambo 194km) |
| 829 |
78 |
Bunbuncundoo Springs. |
| 907 |
78 |
Backtrack to the Dawson Developmental Road then turn left towards
Tambo. (Alternatively turn right to return to Springsure 52km) |
| 971 |
64 |
Turn left at the signposted Salvator Rosa turn off. (Alternatively
straight on to Tambo) |
| 1025 |
54 |
Salvator Rosa camp ground via Cungelella. |
| 1079 |
54 |
Backtrack to the Dawson Developmental Road then turn left towards
Tambo. (Alternatively turn right to return to Springsure 114km) |
| 1181 |
102 |
T junction. Turn left to Tambo. (Alternatively turn right to Alpha
121km) |
| 1223 |
42 |
Tambo on the Matilda Highway |
| Outback & Regional |
| 1. Queenslands Outback |
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Scale 1:2,000,000 3rd Edition
Featuring the outback byways including the Matilda Highway and the Adventure Way plus lots of tourist information such as national park facilities and descriptions, town facilities, and camping areas. Points of interest are noted and an events diary helps you decide when you would like to visit. With numerous photographs and descriptive text, this is the most comprehensive coverage of Outback Queensland ever. |
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| Camping Guides |
| 2. Camping In Southern and Central Queensland |
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| $12.95 |
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This product is Out of Print
2003 6th Edition Author Martin & Roy Bowerman
Probably a little known, low cost publication but when we opened up this book we were suprised to see that it contains excellent information specifically targetting where to go camping in Central and SE Qld focussing on 4WD locations. It's a great buy for anyone wanting to explore this part of Queensland. |
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Full Description |
| Dimensions 275 x 203 x 9mm
ItemID E709 Weight 303grams
Shipped from ExplorOz
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| Travel Guides |
| 3. Explore Queenslands Parks and Forests |
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| $29.95 |
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This product is Out of Print
2003 Edition Author Harmon-Price, Pamela
This book features more than 200 national parks, conservations parks, State forests, forest reserves, recreation areas and resources reserves.
Each park/forest entry has a brief description of the park/forest, things to do there, track names, how to get there, addresses for more information and permits if needed and a facilities list. |
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