Salvator Rosa - Carnarvon NP

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesBunbuncundoo Springs
FinishTambo
DifficultyDifficulty 2.5/5
Suitable For4WD 
Distance299.1 km
Minimum Days2
Average Speed48.49 km/hr
Travel Time6 hrs 10 mins
Page Updated: 11 Jun 2008

Description

Salvator Rosa is another remote section of the Carnarvon National Park. Two camping areas, located on either side of the access road, are provided, and are on the banks of the crystal clear water of the spring fed Nogoa River. Although new wheel chair access composting toilet facilities are provided the park remains mainly undeveloped.

The park is mostly eucalypt woodland and open forest but with many spectacular eroded sandstone outcrops and formations. A four wheel drive is needed after leaving the camp grounds, and crossing the river, to follow a sandy track. This track closely follows the river and it’s tributary, Louisa Creek, taking in the many walking and viewing areas such as Spyglass Peak, Belinda and Mitchell springs and the remains of the stock yards left by Major Mitchell, with a total round trip of 18 km’s.

The 400m walk to Spyglass Peak leads past a long stone outcrop that looks like a man made rampart with spy holes and arrow slits. The track leads to the base of the peak, where a 10 meter diameter hole can be seen at its summit, you should allow plenty of time to explore around this area.

Further along the track you come to Belinda Springs with crystal clear water flowing from under a small rock ledge. Together with Mitchell springs, millions of litres of water continuously pour into Louisa Creek. At the end of the track leads to a locked gate, walk beyond this gate past the Mitchell Springs to the remains of Major Mitchell’s yards where he would rest and feed his horses during his expeditions through area.

How to Use this Trek Note

  • To download this information and the route file for offline use on a phone, tablet, headunit or laptop, go to the app store and purchase ExplorOz Traveller. This app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage and the EOTopo webpage.

TIP

ExplorOz Traveller now features the NEW EOTopo 2023 mapset!

Environment

Salvator Rosa, at the Western edge of central Queensland’s sandstone belt, contains deeply eroded rock formations. Most of the park is open forest, eucalypt woodland and acacia scrub. In winter to early spring the country is ablaze with flowering acacias and wild flowers.

History

This area was named by Thomas Mitchell, after the Neapolitan 17th Century artist, Salvator Rosa, who portrayed the same rugged mountainous terrain in his paintings that Mitchell seen in the landscape.
Thomas Mitchell passed and repassed through this area between July and September 1846, in search of a route form Sydney to Port Essington (Darwin). Mitchell set up his base camp at the spring-fed oasis he discovered, which is now known as, Major Mitchell Springs.

TrekID: 159

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP

Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.
You need to be totally self-sufficient. Take sufficient drinking water, food, fuel, and spare parts plus a reserve in case the roads become impassable after rain.

Make sure someone responsible knows where you are going and knows your itinerary. There is no mobile phone coverage and it is quite possible to be the only one in the park. A good first and kit should be part of your camping equipment. The longest distance with no fuel is roughly 135km to Tambo.

Fuel Usage

DieselULPLPG
4cyl 42 litres4cyl 48 litres4cyl 60 litres
6cyl 46 litres6cyl 54 litres6cyl 53 litres
8cyl 46 litres8cyl 50 litres
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

April to September. Winter mornings can be cold and frosty and summer days are extremely hot.

Closest Climatic Station

Tambo Post Office
Distance from Trek Mid Point 59.82km W
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C34.933.832.429.124.921.621.223.527.430.933.234.8
Mean Min. °C20.419.917.512.78.14.93.65.19.013.717.019.1
Mean Rain mm81.077.558.236.934.428.427.118.721.334.647.070.1
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Bunbuncundoo Springs to Buckland Rd & Glentana Rd
Driving: 44.66 km
Heading: 20°
Avg Speed: 48.08 km/hr
EST Time: 55:43
Buckland Rd & Glentana Rd to Dawson Dev Rd & Cungelella Rd
Driving: 48.31 km
Heading: 282°
Avg Speed: 79.04 km/hr
EST Time: 36:40
Dawson Dev Rd & Cungelella Rd to Views
Driving: 12.96 km
Heading: 224°
Avg Speed: 82.15 km/hr
EST Time: 09:27
Views to Albeni
Driving: 5.55 km
Heading: 188°
Avg Speed: 64.05 km/hr
EST Time: 05:11
Albeni to Cungelella Rd & Mount Playfair Rd
Driving: 4.96 km
Heading: 181°
Avg Speed: 75.64 km/hr
EST Time: 03:56
Cungelella Rd & Mount Playfair Rd to Cungelella
Driving: 13.99 km
Heading: 123°
Avg Speed: 78.78 km/hr
EST Time: 10:39
Cungelella to Nogoa River Campground
Driving: 15.31 km
Heading: 169°
Avg Speed: 46.39 km/hr
EST Time: 19:48
Nogoa River Campground to Spyglass Peak Parking
Driving: 2.48 km
Heading: 213°
Avg Speed: 21.78 km/hr
EST Time: 06:49
Spyglass Peak Parking to Spyglass Peak
Driving: 0.07 km
Heading: 68°
Avg Speed: 21.78 km/hr
EST Time: N/A
Spyglass Peak to Spyglass Peak Parking
Driving: 0.07 km
Heading: 248°
Avg Speed: 21.78 km/hr
EST Time: N/A
Spyglass Peak Parking to Belinda Spring
Driving: 1.97 km
Heading: 152°
Avg Speed: 27.34 km/hr
EST Time: 04:19
Belinda Spring to Major Mitchell Springs
Driving: 4.4 km
Heading: 197°
Avg Speed: 13.76 km/hr
EST Time: 19:11
Major Mitchell Springs to Mitchell's Yards
Driving: 0.13 km
Heading: 186°
Avg Speed: 24.21 km/hr
EST Time: 00:19
Mitchell's Yards to Major Mitchell Springs
Driving: 0.13 km
Heading:
Avg Speed: 24.21 km/hr
EST Time: 00:19
Major Mitchell Springs to Belinda Spring
Driving: 4.4 km
Heading: 17°
Avg Speed: 13.76 km/hr
EST Time: 19:11
Belinda Spring to Spyglass Peak Parking
Driving: 1.97 km
Heading: 332°
Avg Speed: 27.34 km/hr
EST Time: 04:19
Spyglass Peak Parking to Nogoa River Campground
Driving: 2.48 km
Heading: 33°
Avg Speed: 21.78 km/hr
EST Time: 06:49
Nogoa River Campground to Cungelella
Driving: 15.31 km
Heading: 349°
Avg Speed: 46.39 km/hr
EST Time: 19:48
Cungelella to Cungelella Rd & Mount Playfair Rd
Driving: 13.99 km
Heading: 303°
Avg Speed: 78.78 km/hr
EST Time: 10:39
Cungelella Rd & Mount Playfair Rd to Mount Playfield Rd & Mount Playfair Access
Driving: 32.75 km
Heading: 218°
Avg Speed: 58.47 km/hr
EST Time: 33:36
Mount Playfield Rd & Mount Playfair Access to Long Waterhole
Driving: 41.03 km
Heading: 255°
Avg Speed: 77.08 km/hr
EST Time: 31:56
Long Waterhole to Landsborough Hwy & Mount Playfield Rd
Driving: 23.19 km
Heading: 275°
Avg Speed: 88.98 km/hr
EST Time: 15:38
Landsborough Hwy & Mount Playfield Rd to Tambo
Driving: 8.99 km
Heading: 282°
Avg Speed: 73.76 km/hr
EST Time: 07:18
  • Drive northwest on A2/Landsborough Highway. Continue on A2. for: 8.78 km time: 06:48
  • Make a right U-turn at Star Street onto A2/Arthur Street. for: 0.21 km time: 00:30
Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

Go bird watching around the water courses and springs with herons, finches, honeyeaters and sacred kingfishes. Watch out for the rather cheeky kangaroos and birds around the camp. Climb around the sandstone range near the campsite and explore the many small caves found in the eroded sandstone hills at Major Mitchell’s camp. There are plenty photographic opportunities especially catching sunrise or sunset over the park’s Buffs, and Spires, try to catch the sun setting through Spyglass Peak.

Facilities

Where to Stay

Camping areas are provided on the bank of the Nogoa River. You must be totally self sufficient, bring plenty of food and water with extra supplies in case of being stranded after rain. Take a fuel stove for cooking.

Services & Supplies

Wildflowers

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