Carnarvon Gorge - QLD

The rugged 16,000ha Carnarvon Gorge section of Carnarvon National Park is the most popular destination in Queensland’s central highlands. Remnant rainforest flourishes in the sheltered side-gorges while endemic cabbage tree palms Livistona nitida, ancient cycads, ferns, flowering shrubs and gum trees line the meandering main gorge. Grassy open forest grows on the cliff tops. The park’s creeks attract a wide variety of animals including more than 173 species of birds.

Aboriginal rock art on sandstone overhangs is a fragile reminder of Aboriginal people’s long and continuing connection with the gorge. Some of the finest Aboriginal rock art in Australia, including ochre stencils, rock engravings and freehand paintings, can be seen at Baloon Cave, the Art Gallery and Cathedral Cave.


Excellent camping grounds, hot showers, communal camp fire, some supplies at information centre and restaurant with bar just down the road a couple of kms. Plenty of walking tracks and you would need to be prepared for 3 to 5 days here to have a reasonable look around. The return walk (without side tracks) is about 24km to Big Bend and return, right at Big Bend there is an interesting walk for photographers between rockfaces - I didn't wander up this rock-gorge and I missed out. You need to take plenty of drinking water because it is a long hike, especially if you also do one or two of the the side gorges which are all very interesting - one is like walking into a fridge, which is great on a hot day.