For some time we have looked forward to travelling to Carnarvon Gorge located in the Carnarvon National Park, 8 hours drive north west from Brisbane, Queensland. It is a long car trip, we overnight-ed at Moura before eventually arriving at the Takarakka Bush Resort and Caravan Park (which also has camper trailer and tent camp sites).
Camping at Takarakka Bush Resort and Caravan Park, busy but very well run
The resort is a little world unto itself, there is plenty to do around camp plus a small creek behind the camp with platypus.
Creek behind the camp with platypus, difficult to see and harder to photograph.
The landscape is beautiful, a small lookout behind the camp is ideal for enjoying sunsets.
Sunset at Takarakka.
Evening sunlight
Takarakka Resort is a short bike ride to the Carnarvon Gorge Visitor Area. This is also a campground during school holidays. From here the popular gorge walks start.
Carnarvon Gorge visitor centre
The walks are beautiful, weaving between huge rock escarpments, with multiple crossings of Carnarvon Creek. The track passes through palm groves, forests and open scrub.
Creek crossing Carnarvon Gorge
There are some narrow, deep sections off the main track
There are some very steep sections to lookouts
There are many attractions to visit. An experienced bush walker advised: first walk to your most distant destination, then call in to the others on the way back as your energy levels allow!
There are many hiking options from easy to multiple day… if you are very keen.
In addition to the natural environment, there are indigenous art rock art sites.
Carnarvon Gorge rock art
A beautiful destination, worth the effort to visit. For the really keen, there is a rugged 90k Carnarvon Great Walk through the National Park. This is a wilderness area, definitely for the experienced walker.
Rugged, harsh, majestic… and beautiful.