Carnarvon Gorge, Queensland, Australia
We were up early this morning (it was a brisk 7℃) to walk the 2km Nature Trail which winds along Carnarvon Creek. Unfortunately, it was not early enough for the elusive platypus that JD was keen to see...
After breakfast we started on the walks close to the Gorge mouth; first up was Baloon Cave. This is another rock art site, not as spectacular as yesterday, but wheelchair accessible, which is nice. The cave is accessible via a loop walk that went from our accommodation, very handy. Lots of brumby manure along the way, but no sitings, although, JD did hear them during the night.
Then it was on to the tranquil RockPool, a small but beautiful walk, more stepping stones, kangaroos relaxing by the waterside and so peaceful. Sitting on a log looking at the reflections of the the rock in the pool was very restorative.
And finally along to Mickey Creek Gorge and Warrumbah Gorge. Both are accessed from the same initial entry point, and then choosing one or the other fork some way down the creek gorge.
Mickey Creek features some lovely cycads and fan palms (as well as Eucalypts). It is a lovely tranquil walk and we enjoyed lunch beside one of its rock pools, under the optimistic eye of one of the mischievous local Pied Currawongs
Warrumbah Gorge is an amazing example of a slot canyon. At the end of the formed track, progress becomes more a matter of rock-hopping, scrambling and then there's some 'spider-walking'. Essentially you can go as far as you feel confident - and apparently towards the end swimming is required. We made it a couple of hundred meters in - but even that was an amazing experience. Inside the Gorge it was much darker and felt as if the air-conditioning had been switched on - emerging again, one realised it was still over 31℃!
We spent the remainder of the day relaxing on our verandah at the Wilderness Lodge with a drink or two - and were entertained by 6-8 kangaroos grazing on 'our' lawn and various birds screeching to one another about their day's activities in the trees around us.
For keen walkers, other options at Carnarvon Gorge include the challenge of Boolimba Bluff or additional sites further along the Gorge, however we were happy with what we had seen.
2025-05-23