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National park · Australia

Carnarvon National ParkCarnarvon National Park (Carnarvon Gorge section)

Go for the gorge floor: the 6.7 km one-way main track to the Art Gallery and Cathedral Cave is the day's payoff, start before 08:00 in summer and before 09:00 in winter; skip December–January walking and skip Boolimba Bluff if you have only one day.

Not field-verifiedSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
Map to the park
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Directions
From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

2,980 km²

approximate

Established

1932

Best months

Apr–Sep

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 7
  • Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
  • Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
  • Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
  • Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
  • Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
  • Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
  • Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.

At a glance

Country
Australia
Area
2,980 km²
The park is made up of several sections (Carnarvon Gorge, Mount Moffatt, Ka Ka Mundi, Salvator Rosa, Buckland Tableland); the figure is the whole park, not just the gorge (check).
Established
1932
Best months
Apr–Sep
Permits
For some areas

Carnarvon National Park protects the sandstone gorge country of Central Queensland, and the Carnarvon Gorge section is the one visitors mean: a creek-cut corridor through 600 m of layered rock, with white Precipice Sandstone cliffs, rainforest pockets in the side gorges and some of the state's best-known Aboriginal rock art. It was gazetted in 1932, mainly to protect those cultural sites. The park also takes in Mount Moffatt, Salvator Rosa, Ka Ka Mundi and Buckland Tableland — remote four-wheel-drive country with almost no facilities. There is no day-use entry fee in Queensland national parks; you pay for camping permits and guided walks, and the practical cost of getting here is fuel and time, since the nearest town of any size is more than 250 km away.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • No UNESCO listing; national park since 1932.

Size and age

2,980 km² · national park since 1932

The park is made up of several sections (Carnarvon Gorge, Mount Moffatt, Ka Ka Mundi, Salvator Rosa, Buckland Tableland); the figure is the whole park, not just the gorge (check).

Why go

  • Sandstone walls up to about 200 m above the creek, with the gorge floor walkable for 10 km or more in one direction.
  • Aboriginal rock art at the Art Gallery and Baloon Cave, with stencils and engravings on the sandstone.
  • Rainforest pockets in the side gorges — Moss Garden, Wards Canyon — fed by permanent water.
  • A long human record: occupation evidence near the gorge headwaters has been dated to about 19,500 years before present.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanAvoid
  2. FebCaution
  3. MarCaution
  4. AprBest
  5. MayBest
  6. JunBest
  7. JulBest
  8. AugBest
  9. SepBest
  10. OctGo
  11. NovCaution
  12. DecAvoid
  • JanExtreme heat; walks not recommended
  • FebHot and humid; early starts only
  • MarCooling; creek crossings can be high
  • AprDry, mild; the walking season opens
  • MayClear days, cold nights
  • JunPeak season; school-holiday crowds
  • JulCold mornings, full campgrounds
  • AugDry and busy
  • SepWarm, still dry; school holidays
  • OctHeating up; start at first light
  • NovHot; afternoon storms
  • DecExtreme heat; walks not recommended

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Carnarvon National Park
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Rock-wallabies on the sandstone cliffsAll year · Most often seen early and late on the gorge floor.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Platypus in Carnarvon CreekApr–Sep · Dawn and dusk, from the crossings; do not swim near them.nononoyesyesyesyesyesyesnonono
Glossy black-cockatoos and other woodland birdsApr–Sepnononoyesyesyesyesyesyesnonono
Bats leaving the side gorges at duskOct–Maryesyesyesnonononononoyesyesyes

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From Roma

Carnarvon Highway north, then Wyseby Road and about 40 km of signed, sealed road to the gorge.

2.5–3 h

From Rolleston

Sealed road south to the gorge turn-off, then the same access road.

1.5–2 h

From Brisbane

Drive via Roma, or fly to Roma and hire a car; there is no public transport to the gorge.

8–9 h drive

Open the page →

From Central Queensland plan

Where the gorge fits with Rockhampton, the coast and the inland towns.

Zones and sectors

Zones of Carnarvon National Park
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
Gorge floor (main track)The creek-side track past the Art Gallery, Cathedral Cave, the Amphitheatre, Moss Garden and Wards Canyon.Open on foot; no permit for day walks.
The shelves and Boolimba BluffSlopes and ridges above the Precipice Sandstone cliffs, reached by the Boolimba Bluff track.Open on foot; steep, no water.
The high countryBasalt-capped tablelands about 1,000 m above sea level on both sides of the gorge.Remote; experienced walkers with permits only.
Other park sections (Mount Moffatt, Salvator Rosa, Ka Ka Mundi, Buckland Tableland)Separate sandstone country west and north of the gorge, with four-wheel-drive access and almost no facilities.Check road conditions and permits before setting out.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 9 approximate points in Carnarvon National Park, north up123456789
Approximate positions along the gorge and access road, for orientation only.
  1. 1Park entrance and ranger station · Headquarters≈-24.636, 147.997Approximate; start of the access road into the gorge.Map ↗
  2. 2Baloon Cave · Cave≈-24.660, 148.024Approximate.Map ↗
  3. 3Boolimba Bluff trailhead · Trail≈-24.649, 148.011Approximate.Map ↗
  4. 4Art Gallery · Viewpoint≈-24.702, 148.077Approximate; rock art panel on the main gorge track.Map ↗
  5. 5Cathedral Cave · Cave≈-24.711, 148.086Approximate.Map ↗
  6. 6Moss Garden · Trail≈-24.687, 148.065Approximate.Map ↗
  7. 7Wards Canyon · Trail≈-24.706, 148.082Approximate.Map ↗
  8. 8Takarakka Bush Resort · Sleep≈-24.639, 148.002Approximate.Map ↗
  9. 9Roma · Town≈-26.572, 148.789Approximate; nearest town with fuel and supplies.Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

TrailsModerate6–8 h returnMain gorge track to the Art Gallery and Cathedral CaveAbout 6.7 km one way on the gorge floor, with several creek crossings; the Art Gallery rock art panel is the highlight and Cathedral Cave is a short side trip.
ViewpointsHard3–4 h returnBoolimba BluffAbout 3.2 km one way and the easiest route up to the shelves; a steep climb with ladders near the top and a wide view over the gorge.
TrailsEasy1–2 h eachMoss Garden and Wards CanyonShort side tracks off the main route: a spring-fed moss-covered sandstone amphitheatre, and a cool side gorge with a stand of king ferns.
CultureEasy45 min returnBaloon Cave rock artA short, flat walk from the road to a sandstone overhang with stencilled art; the easiest cultural stop in the park.
CavesModerate1 h returnAmphitheatreA side gorge ending in a tall chamber reached by a steep stepped section; access has been affected by closures and repairs — check at the ranger station.
TrailsEasyOn the main walkCarnarvon Creek crossingsThe creek runs all year; crossings are shallow but can be knee-deep after rain, so wear shoes you can wade in.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

AUD ranges · check
Fees for Carnarvon National Park
ItemRangePerNote
Park entry (day use)FreepersonNo entry fee for Queensland national parks; you pay for camping and any guided tour.
Camping permit, per person per nightAUD 7–8person2026 estimate; the rate has risen from the A$6.35 published in 2017 — check the current figure when booking.
Camping permit, per family per nightAUD 26–30family2026 estimate; family rate for two adults and children — check.
Camping permit, approved school groupsAUD 3.5–4personPer person per night for students and accompanying adults on approved excursions (check).
Guided gorge day tourAUD 150–300person2026 estimate; local operators run full-day walks from the accommodation centres.

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Day walking no permit

No permit; park at the ranger station or the signed car parks and walk in.

Camping (including the gorge campground) permit or guide

Book online with Queensland Parks before you travel; the gorge campground opens mainly in the Easter, June–July and August–September school holidays.

Overnight and remote-area walks permit or guide

Book a permit in advance and tell the rangers your route and expected return.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
Fires
Open fires are not allowed at any time, including in camping areas.
Camping
Only with a booked permit, in the signed campgrounds; no camping on the gorge floor outside them.
Rock art
Do not touch, chalk, wet or photograph with a flash close to the art; stay behind any barrier.
Water and food
Bring all drinking water and food; there is no shop in the park and creek water is not treated.
Drones
Not allowed without permission from Queensland Parks (check).check
Cattle country
The access road crosses grazing land; cattle are unfenced and may be on the road, especially at dusk.

Where to stay

In the park

Gorge campground (inside the park)

The park's own campground near the gorge mouth; opens mainly in Queensland school holidays and needs a booked permit.

Near the park

Takarakka Bush Resort

Cabins and powered sites a few minutes from the park entrance; the main base for gorge visitors.

Near the park

Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge

Cabin-style accommodation close to the entrance, with meals available.

Near the park

Rolleston

Motel and campground about 105 km north, for a cheaper night outside the park.

Safety

Heat on the gorge floor high

Walk April–September or start at first light; December and January walks are not recommended. Carry at least 3 litres per person.

Creek crossings after rain medium

Crossings can rise quickly in summer storms; turn back rather than wade fast water, and check conditions at the ranger station.

Steep sections on Boolimba Bluff medium

The last climb uses ladders and exposed steps; avoid it in wet weather and do not attempt it with a heavy pack.

Remote roads and wildlife medium

Fuel up in Roma or Rolleston, drive the access road in daylight, and watch for cattle and kangaroos.

No phone signal medium

Tell someone your route and return time; rangers should know about any overnight trip.

Accessibility

  • The Baloon Cave walk and the first part of the main track are the flattest options; the main track is unsealed and crosses the creek.
  • Boolimba Bluff, the Amphitheatre and the far side gorges involve steep steps, ladders or rough rock and are not suitable for limited mobility.

Visiting lightly

  • Stay on the formed track: the gorge floor vegetation and the creek banks are easily damaged.
  • Carry out all rubbish, including food scraps, and use the toilets at the trailheads.
  • Book camping and tours with operators based in the area so the money stays in the Central Queensland communities around the park.
  • Treat rock art as a living cultural site, not a photo backdrop; some sites are significant to Traditional Owners today.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Carnarvon National Park?

Nothing. Queensland national parks have no day-use entry fee, so walking the gorge costs only your fuel and time. You pay for camping permits (roughly A$7–8 per person per night, 2026 estimate) and for any guided tour.

What are the best hikes in Carnarvon National Park?

The main gorge track is the one to do: about 6.7 km one way past the Art Gallery rock art and Cathedral Cave, with side trips to the Amphitheatre, Moss Garden and Wards Canyon. Boolimba Bluff, about 3.2 km one way, is the best short climb for a view. Baloon Cave is the easiest walk, at about 45 minutes return.

When is the best time to visit Carnarvon National Park?

April to September. Days are dry and mild, nights are cold, and all the gorge tracks are usually open. October and November are still workable with a first-light start. December and January are too hot for the long walks and are best avoided.

Do I need a permit to walk Carnarvon Gorge?

No permit is needed for day walks. Camping, including in the park campground near the gorge mouth, needs a permit booked in advance, and overnight or remote-area walks need a permit plus a route check with the rangers.

How do I get to Carnarvon National Park?

Drive. Roma is the nearest town of any size, more than 250 km away, and the last stretch on Wyseby Road is sealed and signed. From the north, Rolleston is about an hour from the turn-off. There is no public transport to the gorge.

Can I swim in Carnarvon Creek?

People wade and cool off at the crossings, but the creek is a wildlife habitat — platypus live in it — and levels rise fast after rain. Wade shallow water only and never in a flood.

Related

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Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Sources