Carnarvon Gorge National Park QLD

With the recent rain in the area I would be checking with the Ranger to see if the road into Carnarvon Gorge National Park is in fact open.

Cheers Kev

Hi Clint and Chell

Further to suggestions about road conditions of access road, report indicates caution due to water on the road.

Road Report

I take it you are planning on taking your caravan to the Takarakka caravan park? They should know the condition of the access road when you ring to book. Booking is usually necessary, and we were lucky to get a really good big site (the one recommended to me by another caravanner) without booking, but only for two nights. We would have stayed three nights if it was available for longer. Not all camp sites are suitable for big rigs.

Rain may however affect access to the walks in the gorge, as this involves crossing the creek at the start of the walks and about 23 more times in the day walk. Checking with park rangers would also be wise.

I cannot comment on the roads you ask about, as we came from the north last year.

Motherhen

The Dawson Hwy is ok so long as you take it carefully - very uneven bitumen which bounces the vehicles about a bit if you travel too fast. However towing a 28 ft van I doubt you would be doing that. Theres one fairly short steep climb along the way from memory.
We towed our van across that way a few months ago - only 18 ft but heavy at 2 1/2 tonne.

My sister and husband are also leaving Bundy today and travelling that way with their 25 ft van today. They drive it pretty regularly. Theres a great overnight free camp on the banks of the river just west of Moura a few kms if you are looking for somewhere like that.

The road into Takkarakka has a couple of creek crossings on the dirt and gets pretty slippery after rain, and the road can be closed pretty quickly so check with the resort before you leave Rolleston.

Carnarvon Gorge is a fantastic place to explore and bushwalk and the resort is great.

Cheers

Heather

Hi Clint,

28ft is a big van and I see you are towing it with a patrol.

About 2 kilometers after you reach the gravel on the way in, there is the biggest creek crossing. With the recent rain you will need 4WD and most likely low to get through this one towing the van. It has a very tight RH bend , the apex of which, is right at the crossing. You will not want to meet another vehicle here so I would suggest a quick recon and a guide in the crossing to warn of other vehicles.

If you are coming through Injune do not fill up at the BP but turn east at this junction and get fuel at the independent depot. Much cheaper.

Hi Clint and Chell,

You are much better off staying at Takkarakka rather than doing the drive in and out each day from Rolleston, I reckon. That is if you plan on doing any of the walks.

So long as you take it slowly over the creek crossings you should be ok - and if the road is closed its just a matter of waiting a few hours probably until it dries out a bit. While we were there it was closed one morning after rain during the night and then reopened after lunch sometime. The big problem was that some vehicles were worried about not being able to get out and they packed up and left early, before the road was closed, and it chopped the surface around a lot. They were not 4WD tow vehicles so would have had more difficulty than you and one got bogged and had to be towed out. That complicated it all for those waiting to get in.

As I said previously, phone ahead to the resort and they will let you know the condition of the road on the day if there has been recent rain.

Regards,

Heather