Carnarvon Gorge Great Walk

Carnarvon Gorge Great Walk
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This 6-7 day journey links the Carnarvon Gorge and Mount Moffat parks while staying at five walker’s camps along the way. This is a challenging and rewarding walk and a great way to explore the park in full. It is recommended you have some previous experience with multi-day hikes before attempting this walk because you’ll need to be completely self-sufficient. The campsites only offer water taps and shelters. Anything else you’ll need to bring along. You’ll be rewarded with plenty of wildlife, stunning Aboriginal art and will reach some lofty heights – including the ‘Roof of Queensland’ at 1232 metres above sea level.

The walk is closed from the start of November to the end of February due to the summer heat.

1. Carnarvon Gorge to Big Bend

Visit the Moss Garden, Ward’s Canyon, Art Gallery and Cathedral Cave. Head along the iconic gorge and start off your journey with a comprehensive walk. Offering you cool havens in the otherwise scorching gorge with the side trips; this track features great views, top-notch rock art and some strangely peaceful moments in unique places. The gorge itself is stunning enough to justify the heat and effort, but the side trips diversify the experience greatly.

2. Big Bend to Gadd’s

Visit the Battleship Spur, a humongous meandering gorge that looks absolutely captivating from the 1000-metre-high Battleship Spur, as it was carved out by some mighty being. As you ascend from Big Bend campsite along Boowinda Gorge, the relatively narrow Boowinda Gorge will show you its picturesque sandstone walls. The rays of sunlight hitting the walls at different angles make them look even better.

3. Gadd’s to West Branch

This walk takes you to the West Branch campsite via the third section of the 87 km Carnarvon Great Walk, crossing multiple creeks (usually dry) along the way. Don’t forget to look back at the stunning gorge as you traverse the sandy & arid lands of Carnarvon Park.

4. West Branch to Consuelo

Explore the Consuelo Tableland and the Mahogany Forest along the way. This is the longest section of the walk, and it is relatively green due to the environmental conditions. You’ll be getting great looks at Mount Moffatt along with the mountain ranges to the west. The aforementioned Mahogany Forest is made up almost exclusively of silver top stringybark trees.

5. Consuelo to Cabbage Tree

Consuelo Tableland is home to Heavenly, Foley’s and Ferntree springs, which are spread throughout the tableland, naturally concealed. These springs were once utilized by the Aboriginal people of the time as well as the stockmen that came afterwards.

6. Cabbage Tree to Carnarvon Gorge

Visit Jimmy’s Shelf and Devil’s Signpost and enjoy the lovely views of Mount Acland and beyond. This track features scenic cliffs and impressive rock formations as well. The Demon’s Ridge combined with the Bulknaoo Cliffs can impress and challenge you at the same time.