For my birthday we were at Boodjamulla NP which, if you are following this blog intently, you know is a gorge that features outstanding swimming holes. For Joe’s birthday we were at Carnarvon Gorge; its star feature is its hiking.
I’m not sure how many more gorges you can bear to read about, especially since I’m running out of superlatives. But we kept hearing about Carnarvon Gorge and how spectacular it is – even people who have never been here claim it is exceptional. So we decided to check it out even though it was 500km inland and there were more unsealed roads to travel. We were not disappointed. As we drove into the area there was a sense of serenity about the place. We arrived at Takarakka Bush Resort just in time for Happy Hour and an introductory talk by the resident geologist. He gave us a delightful descriptive account of how best to spend our time here, discussing the different walking tracks and points of interest. We were early to rise the next morning and drove to the visitor centre where the main track begins.
The route to Carnarvon Gorge included about 40km of unsealed roads.Happy Hour is served from this quaint tractor that cruises around the campground reminding everyone that HH begins at 4pm. On offer were $3 beers, $6 alco-pops (a pre-mixed cocktail in a bottle – I think this is what they are known as in America), and bottles of wine for $23. No glasses of wine and no mixed drinks that aren’t bottled. It must have something to do with a limited liquor license.Here is a map of the gorge. Along the Main Track we went as far as the Art Gallery one day; Boolimba Bluff and the Rock Pool another; and Mickey’s Creek and Baloon Cave the last day.A picture of a picture: the gorge from above.The first of many creek crossings. None are difficult when the creekbed is this low. It is the perfect rock-hopping experience for the ankle-challenged set.The approach to the Art Gallery – a pretty impressive way to display your creative nature if you are Aboriginal. We were happy to see there was not much modern day “art” added to the sandstone canvas.There’s a lot of symbolism here but my ability to describe it is limited. Suffice it to say, they tell their stories in their paintings and use natural materials as their paint. The stenciled outlines of hands, boomerangs, tools, weapons and ceremonial objects were very clear and are supposed to be one of the best examples of this process. The art shown above was the women’s section where men were not allowed to go. They called this “women’s business”.Ward’s Canyon is up a secondary trail that climbs to a trickle of a waterfall, coming from a “cool” gorge resplendent in King Ferns. The fronds can grow to 7 metres in length (not feet, not yards, but metres).At the end of the path in Wards Canyon we ate lunch.Joe gets protection from the sun.The next trail off the Main Track leads to the Amphitheatre. One of the best things about this place is the fact that we were the only ones in it at the time and we did some testing of the audio quality of the place. A whisper is supposedly heard throughout but that wasn’t quite what we experienced. Joe’s singing was good but did not do justice to the audio quality of this place.Despite the extraordinary nature of this open air cavern, it would still be an unusual discovery to find it via a 20 metre-long 2 metre-wide corridor.A tree roots itself to the outside of this rock wall. It’s only about 30 metres long!The trail to the Moss Garden was the longest of the four that lead to points of interest. It was like being in a jungle.The Moss Garden is a serene spot with the calming flow of a small waterfall. The water dripping from the sandstone is thousands of years old and perfectly good to drink – call it vintage water.The real reason it’s called the Moss Garden.After a solid climb up 300 metres of steps we were rewarded with a flat trail the last kilometre to Boolimba Bluff lookout.Boolimba Bluff LookoutOn the way to Mickey’s Creek gorge. The trail splits then suddenly stops. We were advised to continue heading up into a narrow slot canyon another 200 metres to experience the most narrow of the gorge deviations.Straddling the creek which was deeper than you would think.Joe picks his way using small footholds.
13 thoughts on “Carnarvon Gorge”
Don’t get lost out there! It does look amazing. What an adventure you are having, you explorers extraordinaire!
Hi there Mary and Joe What an experience -PRICELESS !!
I’m so thrilled for you both and admire your “Get Up and Go ”
Love keeping up with your journey
Thank you Mary for all your efforts
Keep enjoying
Love as always Juanita xx
Wow, your final photos of Joe doing three-point maneuvers to negotiate Mickey’s Creek brings back memories of a similar technique we had to use to ascend Cathedral Rock via a small crevice. Except that it was severely vertical. (And the return 600-foot descent was really interesting.) … After experiencing the spiritual, breathtaking beauty of the Sedona canyonlands, I understand what you mean about “running out of superlatives.” But our vistas and visuals paled in comparison to your experiences. Therefore, your superlatives simply must be superior to our superlatives!
Beautiful gorge . Was it a lot cooler in the gorge?
Please post the next photo in the series of Joe straddling the gorge. ( the one where he shows how deep the water is. Ha!)
Hey Jeff…it wasn’t cooler in the main track but going into Ward’s Canyon and Mickey’s Creek where the walls were narrow – absolutely cooler, and we were grateful for that.
13 thoughts on “Carnarvon Gorge”
Don’t get lost out there! It does look amazing. What an adventure you are having, you explorers extraordinaire!
Hi there Mary and Joe What an experience -PRICELESS !!
I’m so thrilled for you both and admire your “Get Up and Go ”
Love keeping up with your journey
Thank you Mary for all your efforts
Keep enjoying
Love as always Juanita xx
Cool. How old is the Aboriginal wall art? Are they petroglyphs or petrographs?
We got in our share of steps…but none as difficult as these! Kudos to you! Glad you’re enjoying your new lifestyle.
Stay safe,
Carol
Excellent……….Carnarvon Gorge leaves another spellbound with its inner magic.
Wow, your final photos of Joe doing three-point maneuvers to negotiate Mickey’s Creek brings back memories of a similar technique we had to use to ascend Cathedral Rock via a small crevice. Except that it was severely vertical. (And the return 600-foot descent was really interesting.) … After experiencing the spiritual, breathtaking beauty of the Sedona canyonlands, I understand what you mean about “running out of superlatives.” But our vistas and visuals paled in comparison to your experiences. Therefore, your superlatives simply must be superior to our superlatives!
That’s a really beautiful looking hike.
Incredible!
Beautiful gorge . Was it a lot cooler in the gorge?
Please post the next photo in the series of Joe straddling the gorge. ( the one where he shows how deep the water is. Ha!)
Hey Jeff…it wasn’t cooler in the main track but going into Ward’s Canyon and Mickey’s Creek where the walls were narrow – absolutely cooler, and we were grateful for that.
Wow! First class report right there of one of this big country’s best kept secrets.Well done you two….
Love
P&C
Wow! Beautiful!
I’m a little behind in my reading of your blog posts. I’ll try to catch up here.
Step carefully! Such fun you two are having.