Featuring Carnarvon Gorge National Park
Chances are you’ve heard of Carnarvon Gorge National Park QLD, a breath-taking slice of vast rocky outcrops with dense rain-forest and bush-land tucked away in each corner. Off the Main Track you slip into side gorges. Each with their own micro-climates
Here’s a few tips to get the most out of your gorge exploring experience
Tip 1 – The early bird gets the worm – rise early and chase the morning light at Boolimba Bluff Lookout. This knee-crunching challenge is well worth the effort to see the golden light grow over the horizon. The early rise will have you back down the Bluff and into the heart of the gorge before most people have had breakfast. Trust us – you’ll want The Amphitheatre all to yourself
Tip 2 – Pack your beanie & a jacket no matter the current weather leaving the car-park. Each little side challenge from the main track holds its own Micro-climate with a considerable drop in temperature. This is due to the rain-forest nature of each side trail
Tip 3 – Go the distance – walk to your furthest point first then adventure the side tracks on return.
Some of the best scenery is along the Main Track and its multiple creek crossings. There’s a high chance this is where you’ll sight the most wildlife. Don’t deprive yourself by sprinting straight to point B though. Allow yourself to slowly wander to your furthest point and then dive-deep into the extra side adventures on your return
Tip 4 – Shoot wide – this is photographer lingo for ‘capture as wide a shot as possible’. There’s a lot of happiness in capturing the finer, little macro elements of nature. But don’t forget to harness the real jaw-dropping beauty of Carnarvon Gorge in a wide shot.
Tip 5 – Be still. Look up
Walking and talking is something we are very good at. Humans are accustomed to getting on a roll with chatter. Do yourself a favour and just listen to nature talk. Find a rock by the creek or nestle in a side gorge and be still. Look up and allow yourself to take in natures bird-song, if you are still enough, for long enough you may even sight a platypus in one of the many freshwater creeks
Tip 6 – First aid knowledge – remember you are remote if you aren’t a confident hiker, take a friend.
The main track & side gorges can accumulate well over 20kms return for the Lower Gorge. Even though most of the track is easy & flat there are parts that can be unstable & involve crossing creeks. Not only that, but you are in remote bush-land. Packing a snake/spider bite kit is a fantastic idea for anywhere in Australia.
If you’re an experienced hiker, you have the option to continue on the Great Walk adventure, totalling 87km return. The Great Walk links back to the stunning Boolimba Bluff.
Now that you’ve had a rewarding adventure, get yourself to the Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge Bar & Restaurant for a treat.
An extra little tip – the food is not at all what you’d expect for a restaurant so remote
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