Lawn Hill and Adels Grove

Hi Bruce,

Lawn Hill is a marvellous place and well worth any "pain" you might experience in getting there.

We were there 4 years ago. Took the Yelvertoft/Thorntonia road that turns off the Barkly Highway about 70km east of Camooweal. Maps show this as unsealed but in fact it was sealed up to the intersection with the Gregory Downs/Camooweal road. We turned off the Gregory Downs road to go in via the Riversleigh fossil site. That road is quite OK provided you drive to the conditions, but does have a number of creek crossings and sharp bends, so you need to take it carefully. We were not towing at that time, but let the tyres down to soften any corrugations.

The fossil site is quite interesting, and came into perspective when we followed up with a visit to the Mt Isa fossil centre later on.

The Lawn Hill Gorge is spectacular especially if seen from the water. There were canoes for hire which these novice paddlers were able to mange and enjoy a truly memorable experience. There are a couple? of places where you have to pull the canoe out of the water to get around a waterfall, but again its all part of the experience. We paddled right up to the head of the gorge, navigating between the pandanus. The water is warm and shallow and good for a swim especially at the far end.

Having done the canoe, there are a number of walks both in the gorge and around the rim which are well worth doing as the scenery is quite spectacular.

We stayed at Adeles grove (which is a few km from the Lawn Hill gorge but the drive in is very scenic) using our own camping gear. Had a look at the permanent tents and they looked fine. Close to some good swimming spots too.

We drove out via the Lawn Hill/Century Mine access road which was corrugated until the turn off to the mine. After that it was wide and well maintained. At Gregory Downs there are excellent campsites at the river.

Would we go to Lawn Hill again - yes definitely. It compares very well with the Kimberley, Pilbara etc. It is scenic, accessible and there are good walks and activities there.

Cheers,

Val.

Hi Bruce, Lawn Hill, Majic! The Rim walk is spectacular. The canoe ride is amazing. The camp areas are in 2 different places in Adeles Grove, down the bottom in the actual Grove. We found this to be too stuffy & camped up in the top section which was more open & breezy. Amenities were good up top, don't know about the bottom ones. There were some really good, well separated camp sites up top. There is also anothercamping area supplied by the Park but not as good. Years ago, the back road was basic 4wd and very scenic. Carnarvan Gorge was lovey but is very different to Lawn Hill. We did the Riverslie Fossils and the display in the Isa. It was worth seeing. The onsite tents Look great but in a very busy area. Just below them is the natural swimming area and a natural spa. (sort of) Freezing but fantastic. This was yrs ago it may be different now but it will remain as one of our favourite spots. Take care. Bye, Sally.

Happy New Year,Bruce,Lawn Hill is quite worth the trip the comparison between it and Canarvon gorge in qld,there is none.
I can't answer the Qs though as i went in from Gregory Downs.
I stayed in the NP camp ground.
Did not get to Riversleigh as i was in a Motor home.
I did see the Fossil display at Mt Isa & it was worth the look.
I walked the walks at the gorge & was not disapointed.
Hope this helps.

Cheers,


Bob.

Everything already said about Lawn Hill, you really won't regret going in. I thought Riversleigh was pretty ordinary. If you're already going past then of course worth at stop, but certainly not worth a special visit.

On our trip to Lawn Hill some vans were squeezing in even though the rangers weren't that happy. However it is a very tight squeeze as site are set up for tenting mainly. Plus the dust was appalling, people just would not go slow. Most at fault were the guys just sight seeing, why you'd want to drive around the camp ground beggars me but they did. Was almost one fight when one guy drove flat out even with the speed bumps. The dust just hung like a cloud most of the day and night. So Adels Grove for just the dust is better, but dearer.

We went to Lawn Hill 3 years ago and Carnarvon Gorge twice in the past decade.
Have to allow at least 3 days at each, if not 4-5. We will be back to both places again some day, they are great.
Though difficult to compare places you visit more than 20 year apart, but I much preferred Lawn Hill over the larger Katherine Gorge.
The better road was via Gregory Downs, it was a gravel super highway.
Any road now a days nearby to a major mine is in good condition.

The road via Riversleigh to Camooweal we found more interesting but a bit ordinary in places, but we had no worries in a Pajero towing a CT loaded with a family and would travel it again.
The only problems I had on that road was when we were past by vehicles travelling the opposite way too fast which threw up rocks. One was a Police Troopy the other a convoy of 4WDs on single lane bitumen

Adel's Grove facilities were fine, certainly seen plenty or worse caravan parks. In July swimming in the river was great.

Riversleigh Fossil site was good however we went on a guided tour from Adel's grove, which enabled us to understand it and the surrounding countryside a lot more. We were glad we spent the dollars so we could "see lot more"

Some people we were camped next to in the Diamantina Lakes last July had just come back from there, they also really enjoyed their time at Kingfisher which we didn't get to.
Like the Nike add, "Just do it"

Agree with all the positive comments. Just go there, you won't be disappointed. We stayed down in the grove as there was plenty of shade. Nobody has mentioned the bar. Great place to spend a bit of time after a walk in the gorge. Would definitely stay at Adel's Grove. Agree with previous comments about Lawn Hill camping area.

Try this. It has the latest information from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Lawn Hill and Riversleigh ROCK!

DERM Riversleigh webpage

Hi Bruce,

We visited Lawn Hill NP and Adels Grove in October 09 for about 5 days. Without repeating Ray's comments, camping in Adels Grove was better in our view than at the NP, the Grove facilities were fine. The bar and shop came in handy.
We came in via Cloncurry & Gregory Downs and we support John & Val's comments about how to handle the road in.
The sightseeing, swimming & caneoing at Lawn Hill is certainly worth the trip but is different to Carnarvon. Caneoing up LH gorge is a must.
Permanent tents at Adels Grove look fine and overlook the swimming hole. Meals are served at the bar/cafe.
We did not visit Riversleigh. Instead, we visited Dinosaur attractions around Winton.
Have a great trip.

Thanks everyone. Your comments have been very helpful.

Bruce M