7 Day Carnarvon Gorge Camping Tour
Carnarvon Gorge National Park is set deep in the Central Highlands in Queensland’s sandstone belt. Walk, drive, hike and camp in the park's four sections and be captivated by the diverse landscapes and rich wildlife of the Sandstone Wilderness.
Spend days immersing yourself in Carnarvon Gorge. Marvel at the vastness of the Amphitheatre, the cool quiet of Mickey Creek Walk, and the prehistoric life in Wards Canyon. Let the world-renowned Art Gallery whisper stories of ancient cultural connections. Climb the gorge walls and watch the pastel-pink dawn tones dance across the creamy sandstone cliffs on the Boolimba Bluff Walk.
Read about the walks, however, see below for the suggested itinerary for our 5 day tour.
Nature Walk 1.5km
Grab your binoculars, camera and field guide and explore the shady banks of Carnarvon Creek on this short walk from Carnarvon Visitors Centre. To make the most of your experience, walk during the early mornings and late afternoons when wildlife is most active.
Tread quietly and you might see a turtle basking in a patch of sunlight, or a shy platypus cruising on the water’s surface. Find somewhere quiet to sit and watch some of park’s many bird species in action—there’s no shortage of brilliant birdwatching opportunities. After the sun has set, spotlight for yellow-bellied gliders as they glide between the trees.
Boolimba Bluff 6.4kms
Discover what lies above the gorge’s cliffs on this challenging walk to Boolimba Bluff, 200m above Carnarvon Creek. Not for the faint-hearted, you’ll climb a series of ladders and 300 steps to reach your final destination, but the views across the gorge are more than worth it.
Branching off the Main Gorge Walk, this walk leads through a diverse range of landscapes before the ‘big climb’. Learn about the geology of the gorge and Boolimba Bluff from signs at the lookout.
Mickey Creek Walk 3kms
Wander along Mickey Creek then squeeze, clamber and rock-hop your way into Mickey Creek Gorge. It’s so narrow in places you can touch both sides with outstretched arms.
Delicate orchids, lush ferns and brilliant-green mosses adorn the colourful walls and floors of this picturesque gorge. Sunlight only penetrates for a short time so the gorge is equipped with its own natural air conditioning—a welcome reprieve on a hot, sunny day! Explore every nook and cranny as you twist around boulders and hop across the trickling creek beneath the towering walls. Timid swamp wallabies live here…so keep your eyes peeled!
Rock Pool Walk 600m
Near the gorge entrance, enjoy a refreshing dip in the park’s only designated swimming area. Walk the short track to the Rock Pool, carved from the bed of Carnarvon Creek, and find the perfect place to beat the midday heat.
Relax with your picnic in the shade of fig and casuarina trees. As the shadows lengthen and the heat of the day dissipates, take a stroll down to the rock pool. If you’re quiet and still you might just spot a shy platypus coming out to feed, or a timid turtle popping its head above the surface.
Main Gorge Walk 18.2kms
Choose your own adventure as you follow Carnarvon Creek into the heart of the main gorge. Under towering cliffs, discover fern-filled side gorges, ancient sandstone formations, breathtaking geological structures and important Aboriginal rock art sites.
Cathedral Cave
Walk the extra distance to visit Cathedral Cave, the largest and most spectacular cultural site off the Main Gorge Track. This massive, wind-eroded overhang sheltered Aboriginal people for thousands of years. Along the way read the signs to understand more about the rich cultural life of those who gathered here.
Gaze in awe at paintings, stencils and engravings adorning the sheer white sandstone walls. Some of the artwork is thousands of years old, while others were created here a mere 200 years ago. Pause to consider how much or how little has changed since the first marks were left here by unknown hands.
Wards Canyon
A short steep climb through towering spotted gums leads past Lower Aijon Falls to the entrance of this beautiful side gorge off the Main Gorge Track. When you pass through the opening you'll feel like you've stepped back in time. King ferns—the world’s largest— mingle with slender tree ferns and other lush gorge vegetation. With links to ancient Gondwanan flora, the king ferns are the ‘green dinosaurs’ of this landscape.
Spend some time in this naturally air-conditioned spot and watch the water trickle over vivid orange and green algae-coated rocks. Before you leave, read about the Ward brothers who made this area their seasonal home.
Art Gallery
Step back in time, and into an ancient culture, when you immerse yourself in this spectacular display of Aboriginal rock art.
This easy walk branches off the Main Gorge Track and leads to a 62m-long sandstone wall featuring 2000 engravings, ochre stencils and free-hand paintings adorning the sandstone walls. This is one of Australia’s finest examples of stencil art. See if you can find boomerangs, hands, feet, stone axes, shields, nets and an assortment of animal tracks.
Discover the fascinating stories behind these images and gain respect for the ancient connections the Bidjara and Karingbal Aboriginal people have with their country.
Moss Garden
Discover a welcome respite from the heat of the day in this side gorge, branching off the Main Gorge Track. Turn off the main track and climb into a sheltered side gorge, a haven of rainforest, moss-covered rocks and soaring cliffs.
At the end of the boardwalk your reward awaits! At the Moss Garden, a small waterfall cascades over the sandstone ledge, collecting in a clear pool, lined with colourful rocks and water-carved boulders. Elegant tree ferns create delicate shadows on the carpet of lush mosses, liverworts and ferns. Spend a while here, soaking up the cool atmosphere before tackling the return journey.
Amphitheatre
Discover splendid natural architecture, created over tens of thousands of years by running water in this side branch off the Main Gorge Track. Scale a tiered ladder and walk through a narrow crevice revealing a 60m chasm hidden deep inside the gorge. You’ll feel like you've just stepped into Tolkien's Middle-earth!
Moss and ferns blanket the sandstone floor to create a surreal atmosphere, offering relief from the heat of the day. Keep your eyes and ears open to discover some of the enormous diversity of plants and animals that live in the gorge. This is a place for quiet contemplation—the towering stone walls and natural skylight create an awe-inspiring atmosphere.
ITINERARY - 7 DAY CARNARVON GORGE CAMPING & BUSH WALKING TOUR
Day 1
6:00-6:30am Pick up from Gold Coast locations and head up the mountain to Toowoomba for morning tea at Picnic Point. We will travel along the Warrigo Highway stopping at places of interest and Lunch along they way.
Camping tonight at farmstay camping ground near Chinchilla where we will enjoy a nice hot dinner and camp fire.
Drive time approx. 5 hours
Meals: L,D
Day 2
We start the day with a cooked breakfast before packing up the camp and driving via Roma to Carnarvon Gorge stopping at places of interest along they way.
We will set up camp at Takarakka Bush Resort and Caravan Park, home for the next 3 nights.
Drive time approx 5 hours
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3 Suggested Itinery
9:00am Carnarvon Visitors Centre, Nature Walk, Coffee
10:00am Boolimba Bluff Walk approx. 2 hours
12:30pm Lunch
2:00pm Mickey Creek Walk approx. 1 hr
3:00pm Rock Pools for a swim
4:30pm Back to Tarkarakka Resort
Meals B,L,D
Day 4 Suggested Itinery
8:00am Main Gorge Track to Cathedral Cave visiting Wards Canyon
and Art Gallery on the return walk approx. 8 hours
Meals B,L,D
Day 5 Suggested Itinery
9:00am Main Gorge Track to Amphitheatre visiting the Moss Garden on
return walk approx. 4 hours
Meals B,L,D
Day 6
7:00am Leave Takarakka Resort for the drive back to Chinchilla for our final night camp.
Drive Time 5 hrs
Meals B,L
Day 7
8:00am Our final big breakfast before packing up the camp and heading back to the Gold Coast by 4:00pm, stopping at places of interest and lunch along the way.
Drive time approx 5 hours
Meals B,L
The above is a guide only and may vary.
7 Day Carnarvon Gauge Camping Tour
$790 pp includes most meals, camping gear, 3 person tent per person, swag, chair,camping fees and all transportation for 7 days.
Tours leaving May and June 2021, contact us for the dates.
25% deposit required at time of booking balance 7 day prior to departure.
Spend days immersing yourself in Carnarvon Gorge. Marvel at the vastness of the Amphitheatre, the cool quiet of Mickey Creek Walk, and the prehistoric life in Wards Canyon. Let the world-renowned Art Gallery whisper stories of ancient cultural connections. Climb the gorge walls and watch the pastel-pink dawn tones dance across the creamy sandstone cliffs on the Boolimba Bluff Walk.
Read about the walks, however, see below for the suggested itinerary for our 5 day tour.
Nature Walk 1.5km
Grab your binoculars, camera and field guide and explore the shady banks of Carnarvon Creek on this short walk from Carnarvon Visitors Centre. To make the most of your experience, walk during the early mornings and late afternoons when wildlife is most active.
Tread quietly and you might see a turtle basking in a patch of sunlight, or a shy platypus cruising on the water’s surface. Find somewhere quiet to sit and watch some of park’s many bird species in action—there’s no shortage of brilliant birdwatching opportunities. After the sun has set, spotlight for yellow-bellied gliders as they glide between the trees.
Boolimba Bluff 6.4kms
Discover what lies above the gorge’s cliffs on this challenging walk to Boolimba Bluff, 200m above Carnarvon Creek. Not for the faint-hearted, you’ll climb a series of ladders and 300 steps to reach your final destination, but the views across the gorge are more than worth it.
Branching off the Main Gorge Walk, this walk leads through a diverse range of landscapes before the ‘big climb’. Learn about the geology of the gorge and Boolimba Bluff from signs at the lookout.
Mickey Creek Walk 3kms
Wander along Mickey Creek then squeeze, clamber and rock-hop your way into Mickey Creek Gorge. It’s so narrow in places you can touch both sides with outstretched arms.
Delicate orchids, lush ferns and brilliant-green mosses adorn the colourful walls and floors of this picturesque gorge. Sunlight only penetrates for a short time so the gorge is equipped with its own natural air conditioning—a welcome reprieve on a hot, sunny day! Explore every nook and cranny as you twist around boulders and hop across the trickling creek beneath the towering walls. Timid swamp wallabies live here…so keep your eyes peeled!
Rock Pool Walk 600m
Near the gorge entrance, enjoy a refreshing dip in the park’s only designated swimming area. Walk the short track to the Rock Pool, carved from the bed of Carnarvon Creek, and find the perfect place to beat the midday heat.
Relax with your picnic in the shade of fig and casuarina trees. As the shadows lengthen and the heat of the day dissipates, take a stroll down to the rock pool. If you’re quiet and still you might just spot a shy platypus coming out to feed, or a timid turtle popping its head above the surface.
Main Gorge Walk 18.2kms
Choose your own adventure as you follow Carnarvon Creek into the heart of the main gorge. Under towering cliffs, discover fern-filled side gorges, ancient sandstone formations, breathtaking geological structures and important Aboriginal rock art sites.
Cathedral Cave
Walk the extra distance to visit Cathedral Cave, the largest and most spectacular cultural site off the Main Gorge Track. This massive, wind-eroded overhang sheltered Aboriginal people for thousands of years. Along the way read the signs to understand more about the rich cultural life of those who gathered here.
Gaze in awe at paintings, stencils and engravings adorning the sheer white sandstone walls. Some of the artwork is thousands of years old, while others were created here a mere 200 years ago. Pause to consider how much or how little has changed since the first marks were left here by unknown hands.
Wards Canyon
A short steep climb through towering spotted gums leads past Lower Aijon Falls to the entrance of this beautiful side gorge off the Main Gorge Track. When you pass through the opening you'll feel like you've stepped back in time. King ferns—the world’s largest— mingle with slender tree ferns and other lush gorge vegetation. With links to ancient Gondwanan flora, the king ferns are the ‘green dinosaurs’ of this landscape.
Spend some time in this naturally air-conditioned spot and watch the water trickle over vivid orange and green algae-coated rocks. Before you leave, read about the Ward brothers who made this area their seasonal home.
Art Gallery
Step back in time, and into an ancient culture, when you immerse yourself in this spectacular display of Aboriginal rock art.
This easy walk branches off the Main Gorge Track and leads to a 62m-long sandstone wall featuring 2000 engravings, ochre stencils and free-hand paintings adorning the sandstone walls. This is one of Australia’s finest examples of stencil art. See if you can find boomerangs, hands, feet, stone axes, shields, nets and an assortment of animal tracks.
Discover the fascinating stories behind these images and gain respect for the ancient connections the Bidjara and Karingbal Aboriginal people have with their country.
Moss Garden
Discover a welcome respite from the heat of the day in this side gorge, branching off the Main Gorge Track. Turn off the main track and climb into a sheltered side gorge, a haven of rainforest, moss-covered rocks and soaring cliffs.
At the end of the boardwalk your reward awaits! At the Moss Garden, a small waterfall cascades over the sandstone ledge, collecting in a clear pool, lined with colourful rocks and water-carved boulders. Elegant tree ferns create delicate shadows on the carpet of lush mosses, liverworts and ferns. Spend a while here, soaking up the cool atmosphere before tackling the return journey.
Amphitheatre
Discover splendid natural architecture, created over tens of thousands of years by running water in this side branch off the Main Gorge Track. Scale a tiered ladder and walk through a narrow crevice revealing a 60m chasm hidden deep inside the gorge. You’ll feel like you've just stepped into Tolkien's Middle-earth!
Moss and ferns blanket the sandstone floor to create a surreal atmosphere, offering relief from the heat of the day. Keep your eyes and ears open to discover some of the enormous diversity of plants and animals that live in the gorge. This is a place for quiet contemplation—the towering stone walls and natural skylight create an awe-inspiring atmosphere.
ITINERARY - 7 DAY CARNARVON GORGE CAMPING & BUSH WALKING TOUR
Day 1
6:00-6:30am Pick up from Gold Coast locations and head up the mountain to Toowoomba for morning tea at Picnic Point. We will travel along the Warrigo Highway stopping at places of interest and Lunch along they way.
Camping tonight at farmstay camping ground near Chinchilla where we will enjoy a nice hot dinner and camp fire.
Drive time approx. 5 hours
Meals: L,D
Day 2
We start the day with a cooked breakfast before packing up the camp and driving via Roma to Carnarvon Gorge stopping at places of interest along they way.
We will set up camp at Takarakka Bush Resort and Caravan Park, home for the next 3 nights.
Drive time approx 5 hours
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3 Suggested Itinery
9:00am Carnarvon Visitors Centre, Nature Walk, Coffee
10:00am Boolimba Bluff Walk approx. 2 hours
12:30pm Lunch
2:00pm Mickey Creek Walk approx. 1 hr
3:00pm Rock Pools for a swim
4:30pm Back to Tarkarakka Resort
Meals B,L,D
Day 4 Suggested Itinery
8:00am Main Gorge Track to Cathedral Cave visiting Wards Canyon
and Art Gallery on the return walk approx. 8 hours
Meals B,L,D
Day 5 Suggested Itinery
9:00am Main Gorge Track to Amphitheatre visiting the Moss Garden on
return walk approx. 4 hours
Meals B,L,D
Day 6
7:00am Leave Takarakka Resort for the drive back to Chinchilla for our final night camp.
Drive Time 5 hrs
Meals B,L
Day 7
8:00am Our final big breakfast before packing up the camp and heading back to the Gold Coast by 4:00pm, stopping at places of interest and lunch along the way.
Drive time approx 5 hours
Meals B,L
The above is a guide only and may vary.
7 Day Carnarvon Gauge Camping Tour
$790 pp includes most meals, camping gear, 3 person tent per person, swag, chair,camping fees and all transportation for 7 days.
Tours leaving May and June 2021, contact us for the dates.
25% deposit required at time of booking balance 7 day prior to departure.