Carnarvon National Park

Introducing Carnarvon National Park

Carved out over millions of years by a creek running through sandstone, this rugged national park features dramatic scenery and numerous Aboriginal rock paintings and carvings. Carnarvon Gorge is an amazing oasis, with river oaks, flooded gums, cabbage palms, moss gardens, deep pools and platypuses in the creek. Standing on the valley floor, the sheer 200m rock walls towering above are simply humbling.

For most people, Carnarvon Gorge is the Carnarvon National Park, because the other sections – including Mt Moffatt, Ka Ka Mundi and Salvator Rosa – are quite ­inaccessible.

Coming from Rolleston the road is bitumen for 70km and unsealed for 25km. From Roma via Injune and Wyseby homestead, the road is good bitumen for about 215km then unsealed and fairly rough for the last 30km. After heavy rain, both these roads can become impassable.

The entrance road leads to an information centre (4984 4505; 8-10am & 3-5pm) and scenic picnic ground. The main walking track also starts here, following Carnarvon Creek through the gorge, with detours to various points of interest. These include the Moss Garden (3.6km from the picnic area), Ward’s Canyon (4.8km), the Art Gallery (5.6km) and Cathedral Cave (9.3km). Allow at least a whole day for a visit. Basic groceries and ice are available at Takarakka Bush Resort.

You cannot drive from Carnarvon Gorge to other sections of the park, although you can reach beautiful Mt Moffatt via an unsealed road from Injune (4WD necessary).

Last updated: May 21, 2009