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Expedition National Park
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Expedition National Park

Difficulty: Trek rating 3 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 3 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 3 of 5 - Click for details   Suitable for: 4WD Bike 
Expedition NP is a truly isolated wilderness park. It is only 350km from Highway 1 and 550km from Brisbane, yet it's quiet possible to have this 110,000 hectare park all to yourself, even on weekends. It's main attraction is the unique Robinson Gorge.
StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesTaroom
Trek
FinishRolleston
Distance308.78 kmMinimum Days1
Average Speed69.06 km/hrDriving Time4 hr 28 min
Article By: Chris & Debbie   Updated: 19 Dec 2007
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 Description

Whether travelling from Rolleston or Taroom, the trek into Expedition National Park is as interesting as the park itself. It truly is a case of the journey being every bit as enjoyable as the destination.

Expedition National Park straddles the Expedition range between Rolleston, Bauhinia Downs and Taroom and is largely inaccessible, except by properly equipped and experience bushwalkers. However there are two camp sites on the eastern side of the park, near Robinson Gorge, and both of these are accessible by 4WD. There is no access for conventional vehicles or low clearance trailers and caravans.

Spotted Gum campsite, near the northern end of Robinson Gorge, has no facilities while Starkvale Creek campsite has pit toilets and a rainwater tank. There are self-registration stations at both camp-grounds. Starkvale is closer to the gorge proper and is the jump off point to the "Cattle Dip" an aptly named section of Robinson Gorge. The gorge starts off as a wide shallow depression near Spotted Gum camp-ground then narrows and deepens towards its southern end to form this Cattle Dip, a 6m wide and up to 100m high chasm with a permanent water hole in the bottom.

A clearly defined, 2km long, walking trail from Starkvale camp-ground leads to a lookout over the gorge. An offshoot from this trail leads down into the gorge. It is steep in places and requires a scramble over rocky outcrops. Before exploring the bottom of the gorge make sure you take notice of where the trail ends as this is the only exit from the gorge. Once in the gorge it is possible to walk all the way down to the Cattle Dip. There is a 1.5km 4WD track followed by an easy 400m walk to a lookout over the Cattle Dip and no trip to Robinson Gorge would be complete without seeing it.

 Interactive Route Map

TaroomLake Murphy Conservation ParkStarkvale Creek CampgroundIron PotLake KolingngolFairfieldBauhiniaRolleston
Taroom
Taroom has services that are open 7 days. It is situated on the banks of the Dawson River. A check with the local Police if attempting the Taroom-Roma road as it is a seasonal road that is impassable after rain.
Features: Populated PlaceService Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Camp Free Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Cemetery,Grave Site Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Police Station Medical Services
Position: 149.7998ºE   25.6393ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Lake Murphy Conservation Park
Distance: 31.29km
Average Speed: 59.99km/h
Lake Murphy Conservation Park
Lake Murphy Conservation Park and Lake Murphy provides a seasonal refuge for waterbirds. The lake fills only when the nearby Robinson Creek overflows and has been dry five times in the past two centuries. Visitors can camp or picnic near the lake.
Features: National Parks,ReservesCamp Fee
Position: 149.6524ºE   25.4874ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Starkvale Creek Campground
Distance: 60.62km
Average Speed: 50.27km/h
Starkvale Creek Campground
From Starkvale, there is a track that leads to a lookout over Robinson Gorge. To get there, you turn off the same track to reach the only access into the gorge along a steep and rough trail for approximately 20 minutes. In the gorge itself, there are no trails.
Features: Populated PlaceToilet Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Camp Fee Point of Interest
Position: 149.1884ºE   25.3056ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Iron Pot
Distance: 101.1km
Average Speed: 69.27km/h
Iron Pot
iMapPlot Database Merge - Population - mispopp.shp
Features: Populated Place
Position: 149.1628ºE   24.8559ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Lake Kolingngol
Distance: 15.8km
Average Speed: 74.53km/h
Features: Water Body,River,Stream,Falls
Position: 149.2184ºE   24.7525ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Fairfield
Distance: 2.18km
Average Speed: 77.21km/h
Fairfield
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Populated Place
Position: 149.2284ºE   24.7353ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Bauhinia
Distance: 23.05km
Average Speed: 74.27km/h
Bauhinia
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Populated PlaceFuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Resort,Motel
Position: 149.2911ºE   24.5695ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Rolleston
Distance: 74.73km
Average Speed: 77.87km/h
Rolleston
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Populated PlaceFuel Water Supply Toilet Food,Shopping Resort,Motel
Position: 148.6291ºE   24.4664ºS (GDA 94)

Route Control

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 Permits

Camping permits are available from self-registration stations at Lake Murphy; Starkvale Creek and Spotted Gum camp-grounds. Permits are required to camp anywhere in the park and fees apply. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your campsite. Camping permits can be obtained from the self-registration shelter on arrival or from the QPWS Roma office or QPWS Taroom office.

QPWS Roma

36 Quintin Street, Roma
PO Box 98, 1 Roma QLD 4455
Phone: (07) 4622 4266
Fax: (07) 4622 4151

QPWS Taroom

41 Miller Street, Taroom
PO Box 175, Taroom QLD 4420
Phone: (07) 4627 3358
Fax: (07) 4627 3448

You can also pre-book campsites by phoning the QPWS Roma office or QPWS Taroom office. Bookings are not available online.

 Things to See & Do

Starkvale Creek Campground   
Populated Place Toilet Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Camp Fee Point of Interest
From Starkvale, there is a track that leads to a lookout over Robinson Gorge. To get there, you turn off the same track to reach the only access into the gorge along a steep and rough trail for approximately 20 minutes. In the gorge itself, there are no trails. Only experienced walkers should hike along the gorge to the 'Cattle Dip'.
Lake Murphy Conservation Park   
National Parks,Reserves Camp Fee
Lake Murphy Conservation Park and Lake Murphy provides a seasonal refuge for waterbirds. The lake fills only when the nearby Robinson Creek overflows and has been dry five times in the past two centuries. Visitors can camp or picnic near the lake. Shady, grassy campsites are provided. Take your own drinking water supply and remove your rubbish from the park.
Taroom   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Camp Free Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Cemetery,Grave Site Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Police Station Medical Services
Taroom has services that are open 7 days. It is situated on the banks of the Dawson River. A check with the local Police if attempting the Taroom-Roma road as it is a seasonal road that is impassable after rain. This road is being upgraded at the moment to at least a single laned sealed road.
Lake Kolingngol   
Water Body,River,Stream,Falls 
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Scenery, solitude, bird watching, native fauna and flora, natural bushland, 4x4 tracks, bushwalking, camping.

 Preparation

You need to be totally self-sufficient. Take sufficient drinking water, food, fuel, and spare parts plus a reserve in case you get stuck. Be prepared to repair punctures.

Make sure someone responsible knows where you are going and knows your itinerary. It is quite possible to be the only one in the park, even on a weekend. A good first aid kit should be part of your camping equipment.

The longest distances with no fuel is 128km to Taroom or 116km to Bauhinia Downs store on 4WD tracks and unformed roads. Allow for extra fuel consumption.

There is no mobile phone coverage in the park. It is possible to pick up the Channel 2 repeater in Taroom from some of the higher ground.

All the roads have black soil areas and may become impassable after wet weather. Listen to weather forecasts on ABC radio (747am). If general rain is forecast for the Central Highlands get out before the rain starts or wait in the park until after the roads dry out.

Travelling as part of a group is recommended.

Fuel Supplies & Usage

Fuel SymbolTaroom, Bauhinia, Rolleston Diesel4cyl 34 litres * ULP4cyl 50 litres LPG4cyl 62 litres
6cyl 48 litres6cyl 56 litres6cyl 54 litres
8cyl 50 litres8cyl 51 litres
Usage is averaged from TrekFuel (* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

March to October. Winter mornings can be cold and frosty and summer days are extremely hot. Roads become impassable after wet weather.

Closest Climatic Station

Brigalow Research Stn
Distance from Trek Mid Point 64.31km E
 JanFebMarAprMayJun JulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C 33.732.631.829.0 25.322.121.823.8 27.230.231.633.2
Mean Min. °C 20.920.618.815.1 11.57.96.57.5 10.814.817.619.7
Mean Rain mm 94.9101.244.844.8 49.430.030.528.0 32.464.283.4105.2
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Services & Supplies

The following locations have various services and supplies: Taroom, Bauhinia, Rolleston

 Camp Sites & Accomodation

Starkvale Creek Campground   
Populated Place Toilet Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Camp Fee Point of Interest
From Starkvale, there is a track that leads to a lookout over Robinson Gorge. To get there, you turn off the same track to reach the only access into the gorge along a steep and rough trail for approximately 20 minutes. In the gorge itself, there are no trails. Only experienced walkers should hike along the gorge to the 'Cattle Dip'.
Lake Murphy Conservation Park   
National Parks,Reserves Camp Fee
Lake Murphy Conservation Park and Lake Murphy provides a seasonal refuge for waterbirds. The lake fills only when the nearby Robinson Creek overflows and has been dry five times in the past two centuries. Visitors can camp or picnic near the lake. Shady, grassy campsites are provided. Take your own drinking water supply and remove your rubbish from the park.
Taroom   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Camp Free Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Cemetery,Grave Site Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Police Station Medical Services
Taroom has services that are open 7 days. It is situated on the banks of the Dawson River. A check with the local Police if attempting the Taroom-Roma road as it is a seasonal road that is impassable after rain. This road is being upgraded at the moment to at least a single laned sealed road.
Bauhinia   
Populated Place Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Resort,Motel
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Rolleston   
Populated Place Fuel Water Supply Toilet Food,Shopping Resort,Motel
No description entered. Enter description or photos.

 Environment

The area is part of Queenslands sandstone belt. It has hot summers and summer storms can brew up quite quickly from a previously cloudless sky. The winters are cool and dry with cold nights and frosty mornings.

The bottom of Robinson Gorge has large numbers of wattles, grevilleas and cabbage tree palms. There are ferns and mosses in the shady areas. Both rock and whiptail wallabies live in the gorge. Cattle tracks in the creek beds bare testament to the parks early cattle station days.

The area on top of the gorge is dry eucalypt forest with spotted gum, box and apple tree in abundance. Cycad, she-oak and wattle can also be found.

There is an abundance of bird-life in and around the camp-grounds. Look for king parrots, pale headed mountain parrots and rainbow lorikeets feeding on nectar or fantails chasing insects. Be prepared for a kookaburra wake up call at daylight.

In Autumn watch out for clouds of pale green butterflies sucking moisture from cow pats on the Taroom track.

 History

Aboriginal peoples inhabited this area for thousands of years before European exploration and aboriginal art sites have been reported in the park. The sites are unmarked so keep a keen eye out. National Parks and Wildlife ask that if you do spot any art sites please don't disturb them.

The Ludwig Leichhardt expedition passed through here in 1844 on their way to Darwin. They camped here and at Lake Murphy Conservation Park, 100km to the south east, near Taroom. The eastern part of the national park was originally part of Glenhaughton Station and became a national park in 1953.

 Driving Directions

Time
Direction
Distance
Taroom to Lake Murphy Conservation Park 31.29 km NW 319° 31 min
Lake Murphy Conservation Park to Starkvale Creek Campground 60.62 km NW 293° 1 hr 12 min
Starkvale Creek Campground to Iron Pot 101.1 km N 357° 1 hr 27 min
Iron Pot to Lake Kolingngol 15.8 km NE 26° 12 min
Lake Kolingngol to Fairfield 2.18 km NE 28° 1 min
Fairfield to Bauhinia 23.05 km N 19° 18 min
Bauhinia to Rolleston 74.73 km W 280° 57 min
Taroom to Rolleston 308.78 km     4 hr 28 min
Distance is GPS recorded driving distance (not straight line), Direction is straight line from start to end, Time is calculated from actual GPS driving data.

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