12 Best Carnarvon Gorge Walks in the National Park
If you’re dreaming of an Outback adventure that blends rugged landscapes with hidden oases, Carnarvon Gorge National Park in Central Queensland is one of the state’s true gems. But, it’s no surprise that travellers often ask: what are the best hiking trails, and how do you make the most of a trip here?
The challenge for first-time visitors is knowing where to start. With a network of trails ranging from short walks to the epic full-day Main Gorge track, planning your hikes can feel overwhelming. Having explored Carnarvon Gorge twice before, I can confidently say it’s worth every step.
In this complete guide, I’ll share the top Carnarvon Gorge Walking trails, accommodation, the best time of year to visit, and tips to help you plan your trip. That way, you’ll know exactly what to expect and can focus on soaking up the beauty of this spectacular national park.
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Carnarvon Gorge Walks on the Main Track (7 Sites)
The Main Carnarvon Gorge walking trail in runs from the Visitor Centre to Big Bend, with a total of 9.7 kilometres one way (19.4 return). Along the way, you’ll discover little side trails and unbelievable sites you can explore, which are all mentioned below.
Overall, this means tackling the Main Gorge hike is an all-day feat and well worth the experience. However, you might not know that the track can be split into small treks, making it more manageable for everyone.
As a whole, the Main Gorge track is classed as Grade 3 to 5 (but mostly 3), which is relatively flat and easy to walk (but sometimes over rocks). However, know that the detours and some of the side tracks are more difficult. I would recommend ankle-supporting hiking boots, but good closed-in shoes will be fine too.
The QLD parks website has a simple 1 page PDF map of the Main Gorge Hike, and you can access that here.
Admire 26 hectares of Palms, Ferns, cycads, towering sandstone cliffs, amazing wildlife, and vibrant coloured lush forest. As well as Rock art signifying the connection with the Aboriginal people. Below are the different sites you can see!
1. Moss Garden
One of the biggest highlights of Carnarvon Gorge and a popular one to visit as the first detour off from the Main Track. There are several stairs and up and down sections to get to the Moss Garden. In the end, you’re presented with a boardwalk alongside a mossy cliff edge and a small cascading waterfall and rockpool.
Notice the temperature change in this section and a nice place with seats to take a break. If you wanted to break up the Main Gorge Track, we did the Moss Garden and the Amphitheatre (mentioned below), which only took us about 4 to 5 hours(with lots of photo stops).
Via off the Main Gorge Track
- Distance: 1.2 kilometres return
- Time: 30 Mins
Distance From The Info Centre:
- Distance: 7 kilometres return.
- Time: 3 Hours Return
- Difficulty: Grade 3
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2. Amphitheatre
Access to the Amphitheatre is with aluminium stairs up into the canyon. You walk along and open up into your private Oasis garden and rock walls reaching high above.
The echo off the rock walls here is amazing, so give your singing skills a go. Marvel in the years of creation from running water and debris forming the 60 metre chasm.
Via off the Main Gorge Track
- Distance: 1.2 Kilometres
- Time: 30 Mins
Distance From The Info Centre:
- Distance: 8.6 kilometres return.
- Time: 3-4 Hours Return
- Difficulty: Grade 3
3. Wards Canyon
There is a steep climb to the entrance of Wards Canyon. Lots of Ferns and plenty of gorge vegetation. Another cooler spot on your travels through the Main Track of the Gorge. Sit and watch the water go by and learn about how it was named.
Via off the Main Gorge Track
- Distance: 540 metres return
- Time: 20 Minutes return
Distance From The Info Centre:
- Distance: 9.2 kilometres return.
- Time: 3-4 Hours Return
- Difficulty: Grade 3
4. Art Gallery
This is where your going to find the lovely display of Aboriginal Rock Art. With 2000 engravings, ochre stencils and paintings placed on the sandstone walls, left behind by the Bidjara and Karingbal Aboriginal People.
Via off the Main Gorge Track
- Distance: 600 metres return
- Time: 20 Minutes return
Distance From The Info Centre:
- Distance: 10.8 kilometres return.
- Time: 3 -4 Hours Return
- Difficulty: Grade 3
5. Cathedral Cave
Almost to the end of the track and the largest cultural site of the National Park. This overhang sheltered the Aboriginal people for thousands of years. A lot more paintings and art here too, going back thousands of years.
Distance From The Info Centre:
- Distance: 18.2 kilometres return.
- Time: 5-6 Hours Return
- Difficulty: Grade 4
6. Boowinda Gorge
This is a unformed track you can continue to follow as much as you are able to. Walk through as you explore this amazing chasm of Moss, ferns and narrow, slot Canyon passages.
Distance From The Info Centre:
- Distance: 18.4 kilometres return.
- Time: 5-6 Hours Return
- Difficulty: Grade 4
7. The Big Bend
This is the end of the line, or at least for the Main Gorge track in Carnarvon Gorge National Park. This is also your first camping spot if your intended to complete the Great walk. There is a natural waterhole with beautiful sandstone walls. This was one spot I did run into a lot of Mosquito’s, so be prepared with your insect repellent.
Distance From The Info Centre:
- Distance: 19.4 kilometres return.
- Time: 7-8 Hours Return
- Difficulty: Grade 4
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Additional Walking Tracks (5 Sites)
The Main Gorge Track is not the only hiking in Carnarvon Gorge National Park. In fact, some of these other sites are just as amazing. Here, you can explore more gorges, sweeping views across the countryside, and the rock pools.
8. Boolimba Bluff
This is one way to get the heart started in the morning. The Boolimba Bluff just briefly starts on the main gorge track, but quickly detours into an extreme amount of stairs which never seem to end. The views are amazing at 200 metres above the gorge floor and even better for sunrise.
I would plan Boolimba Bluff hike for a single day, than making it part of your Main Gorge Track. It may be short but it’s tougher than the Main Gorge track.
Distance From The Info Centre:
- Distance: 6.4 kilometres return.
- Time: 2-3 Hours Return
- Difficulty: Grade 4
9. Rock Pools
This walk can be completed starting at the Information centre (3.6 klm Return), or a shorter distance from the Rock Pool Car park. This is the only swimming area allowed in the National Park, but be prepared for it to be a bit chilly.
Guessing the summertime is better to visit for swimming, but not sure I would be tackling the other walks in the area at the same time. Picnic table are provided so you can relax here with a few drinks or lunch.
From The Rock Pool Car park:
- Distance: 600 Metres return.
- Time: 20 Minutes Return
- Difficulty: Grade 3
10. Mickey Creek
It’s really hard to gauge distance and time on this one into the Slot Canyons. Both have a formed track area, but calculations and maps have been pinned to stop there. The unformed section of both Warrumbah and Mickey creek are not to be missed and do recommend you keep going after the sign “Formed track ends here”.
If your a photographer, then you might need a tripod here. The slot canyon rock walls are narrow and there is very little light in here.
From Mickey Creek parking Area:
- Distance: 3 kilometres return
- Time: About 2 hours return for both (Mickey Creek & Warrumbah), going past the signs
- Difficulty: Grade 3 – But a lot of rock hopping and climbing past the signs, so could be a Grade 4 at this section
11. Warrumbah Gorge
Starting at the car park, you’ll take a leisurely 1.1km stroll along the creek, enjoying the beauty of the surrounding area. Once you reach the signposted gorge, the real adventure begins. Get ready to rock hop and crisscross the creek, walking ledges and squeezing through small crevices.
And just when you think you’ve hit a dead end, you’ll come face to face with walls on both sides. Don’t let it intimidate you – with determination, you can keep walking and exploring even further into the gorge.
12. Nature Trail
If your very quiet, this is where you might get a chance to see a platypus in the wild. Dusk and dawn are a good time for this!
Distance From The Info Centre:
- Distance: 1.5 kilometres return.
- Time: 30 Hours Return
- Difficulty: Grade 3
How to get to Carnarvon Gorge National Park?
Carnarvon Gorge is located in Central Queensland (Please see location map here) about 9 Hours drive North-West of Brisbane and 3 hours North of Roma. There are sealed roads all the way there, which makes it easier to get there with a two-wheel drive vehicle.
From Brisbane to the National Park
It’s easy enough to drive north-west from Brisbane with plenty to see on the way there. It will take roughly 8 to 9 hours but you will go through Toowoomba, Dalby, Chinchilla, and Roma.
It’s all on sealed roads now so you only need a two-wheeled drive vehicle.
Toowoomba holds the start of your Outback life experience with activities like the Cobb and Co Museum, Art Galleries, Carnival of Flowers, Botanic Gardens, and the Jondaryan Woolshed. Dalby, Chinchilla & Miles are your small country towns with a laid back atmosphere.
Finally, Roma is your last major town for petrol and supplies, but don’t forget to pass by Roma’s largest Bottletree with a girth of 9.5 metres. Injune is along the way and only 2 hours from Carnarvon National Park, this is your last option for Fuel and supplies.
Fly to Roma & Drive to the National Park
Your second option would be to fly from Brisbane to Roma with Qantas and hire a car from there.
It takes about 1 hour in flight time, but extra for check-in and transfer. From Roma, you will still need a car which you can hire from the Airport, although it’s a 3-hour journey to get to the National Park.
Where to Stay – Camp or Cabin?
Camping
There are currently two places you can book to camp at Carnarvon Gorge, which are close by:
- Big4 Carnarvon Gorge Holiday Parks ( Formally Takarakka Bush Resort) has both powered and unpowered sites available from $45 to $55 per night for 2 people. Rates are applied for peak and off-peak so best to check when you have your dates ready.
- Sandstone Park is your next option but a little further to drive into the National Park, but with 360-degree views.. The cost would be roughly $42 per night for 2 people (Extra adults $18pp) and all the sites are unpowered. This is an awesome spot for night sky viewing and astrophotography
Cabins and Fixed Accommodation
Cabins, Studios, En-suite Safari Tents, and Cottages are available at Big4 Holiday Parks . Take into account that it’s an isolated location, so the cost is pretty high starting at $136 per Night (Shared Bathroom) to $289 per night for 2 people.
Another option would be staying in the small town of Rolleston. It’s 1 hour away from the National Park and a good option for some cheaper fixed accommodation at the Hotel/Motel or Caravan Park.
We found it very comfortable staying in a Caravan Park Ensuite Cabin for $110 per night (cheaper room with Shared facilities). I must admit that the hours drive after a full day hiking was tough to stay awake.
You might want to take that into consideration if booking here.
Great News! The Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge has finally reopened after a fire in November 2018. I stayed in a tented cabin on my first visit and it was very nice. These are the closest accommodations to the start of the Main gorge walk and prices start at $260 Per night with a minimum two night stay.
Best time to visit?
It’s recommended to visit Carnarvon Gorge National Park during, or after the Dry season or wintertime. This is anytime between May and September with less rainfall compared to the rest of the year. My latest visit in August had very cool mornings (10 degrees) but the hike was very comfortable and not that hot. An added bonus having a reasonable water level and making the creek crossing easier.
Summertime and high rainfall tend to flood the creek and make it a little difficult to make it over the creek crossings on the Main Track (also block the roads on the way in).
My first visit in April was a month after some heavy rainfall, which unfortunately washed out some of the tracks. This made it difficult to find the creek crossings and closed off detour tracks like the Amphitheatre.
FAQ’s
How many days do you need there?
I think that three days would be an ideal amount of time to explore Carnarvon Gorge National Park. This involves a hiking itinerary of:
- Day 1 – Main Gorge Track.
- Day 2 – Mickey Creek & Warrumbah Gorge.
- Day 3 – Boolimba Bluff and the Rock Pools.
Obviously, this would be suitable for people that are used to longer multi-day hikes. Although, if you can spare more time, you could take it easy and split it up over a week.
My First visit was over three days, and my second visit was only one day. Sometimes I feel this was a little too quick, but you should know your limits and how much you or your group can handle.
What should you wear?
Layers are key when it comes to clothing and since winter is the best time to visit, the morning can get very cool, and you’ll need to take them off after you get hiking. Not only that, but the gorges, moss garden, and other areas are in the shade and will be a few degrees cooler than the rest of the trail.
Therefore, long pants and light jackets are a must to keep you warm when the sun goes down and the temperature drops, allowing you to stay out as long as possible. Make sure also to pack a hat so your head is protected from the Australian sun.
Are there toilets?
Yes, there are toilets at the Visitor Centre, and you’ll find modern and well-maintained facilities. However, there’s a composting toilet located on the Main Gorge Track before the amphitheatre.
Do you need a permit?
No, you don’t need a permit to enter the National Park. However, if you want to spend the night or camp out, you must book into one of the area’s caravan parks and obtain a camping permit.
If you plan on completing the Great Walk, make sure you follow all local regulations and keep in mind that no open fires are allowed (other than at designated sites).
Is there drinking water?
Yes, you can find potable water at the start of the Main Gorge Track near the Tourist Information Centre. I suggest that you carry all the water you might need for your entire journey, as there’s no guarantee of having access to more along the way.
Is there phone Service?
Unfortunately, mobile reception is inconsistent and should not be relied on – although it has improved over the years between my first visit and second.
Wrap up!
Thanks for reading this blog post today on the best Carnarvon Gorge Walks & Sites in the National Park. I hope you found what you were looking for, but if you’re still researching please find some other inspiring Queensland Articles HERE to help.
