Solo Carnarvon Gorge Great Walk 6 days wilderness hiking
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
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Carnarvon Gorge National Park is one of the most scenic places in Australia with crystal clear rivers, amazing Aboriginal art and history, waterfalls, epic diversity of wildlife and five species of gliding possum. Traditionally this hike is 6 days. I did an extension off-track up the gorge for one day and completed the hike in 6 days, combining a couple of days.
The National Parks description is so accurate:
“Unforgettable journey deep into a spectacular steep-sided gorge, where towering white white sandstone cliffs envelop a creek-side oasis. Let every and turn of boulder-strewn Carnarvon creek revel a splendid scent, new plant or amazing animal. Venture deep into cool, lush side-gorges, their subtly-coloured walls carved by water and time. Awaken your senses and nurture your spirit discovering the wealth of culture and natural treasures of this very special park.”
Driving to the Gorge you truely get a feel for the isolation and the true oasis that Carnarvon Gorge is.
The gorge was some of the best hiking i have ever done. It was simply breathtaking. Walking though the gorge, every bend in the river brings something new, from spectacular cliffs and amphitheatres, amazing Aboriginal artwork and ancient ferns that survive deep in wet gorges. I was simply mesmerised. Day 2 i went off track and hiked further up the gorge - this was really beautiful and it was fun to explore each bend. It was hard to call an end to the day and turn back to Big Bend, I just wanted to keep going. Day 3 I was back on the formal trail. This day was amazing too, as you climb out of the Gorge and get the most spectacular view of the full gorge from Battleship spur. This day you also get to appreciate 'the roof of Queensland' as you climb out to the very dry savanna and basalt lands at over 1100 meters elevation. Day 4 is more dry dusty hiking, but the bird diversity is mind boggling with Noisy Friarbirds almost deafening and the change in vegetation keeping things interesting. Day 5 you enter the Mahogany Forest, in contrast to the the dry grasslands, the tall trees make you feel tiny. The birds let you know that the vegetation has changed and I felt so happy in the cool shade and air. I reached the formal campsite early and continued on to the next campsite. Day 6 was once again mind-blowing as you reach epic cliffs that look over what feels like the whole of Queensland. Sunrise here is simply magic. You follow this cliff line and the terrain is so spectacular. The drop down and ladders through steep cliffs, back to the visitors centre is also spectacular.
Walk date: September 2017
Location: 8 hour drive (720km) north west of Brisbane, Queensland. Roads may be impassable after rain.
Distance: 87 kmType: loop/circuit walk Days: 6-7
National park rating: up to grade 5 - ‘Very experienced bushwalkers’ Requires high level of physical fitness. Considerable exposure to the elements may be experienced.
Who’s it for: I agree with this rating, while the track is relatively easy to follow it is a very physically challenging due to the elevation change and hot weather.
When: best April to September (the walk is closed November to February)
Permit/cost: Camping permits must be booked online (qpws.usedirect...) for about $7 per person per night (only 6 people are allowed at each campsite, max 2 night stay per campsite).
Best bits: the spectacular gorge on day 1, 2 and 6
Worst bits: the long dry days after leaving the gorge
Tip: I extended my hike spending an extra day exploring the gorge. Views back into the gorge are possible on days 3-5 with some off track navigation (I hope they formalise a couple of side tracks to do this).
The Aboriginal people have used this area for over 19,500 years. The Great Rainbow Serpent creating this area - carving the winding bed of the gorge.
The trail leads past ceremonial sites with stencilled rock imagery that is some of the finest of its type in the world
I acknowledge the Bidjara and Karingbal People, Traditional Custodians of this land, I pay my respect to Elders past and present.
Thanks for watching.
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Music
My Fathers Hands - by Joshua Wellington
Magnificent scenery. Thanks Kate your infectious enthusiasm for bushwalking would make anyone want to get out into the Australian bush.
Thanks so much Wayne. That comment made my day 😀😀😀
Dreamy. And I loved the wildflowers
You would love it. You should totally do the gorge part to big bend and back
Awesome video, well documented expedition. Inspired me to get there and do the trails. Thank you. Stay safe.
Thanks, you too! It’s and incredible place you won’t regret it. Happy hiking
Enjoying your videos. This needs to go on my bucket list, once we are over Covid lockdown in Melbourne. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks so much Gayle. You absolutely should get out there once you get your freedom. It’s so good I’ve put it back on my bucket list. All the best with your lockdown. Hope you are out and adventuring soon.
Wonderful 😀
Thank you! Cheers!
beautiful!
Thank you! I'd love to go back there someday
Ah so good Kate! Such a lovely reminder of the walk and your pics are epic! x
Thanks mate. Sadly I didn’t get any pics of you. Was so nice camping with you on the last night.
Wow. that looked like an Epic trip! Very scenic. :)
It was so great. I did find day 4 and 5 quite challenging. I wanted to get back to the gorge.
Nice video! Thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching!
@@KateGrarock you're welcome! We have a good time filming Outdoor Adventures also
Wow, Kate, that is some stunning scenery. The colours it gives... Inspiring for sure. Enjoyed watching. Great production. ATB Dave 👍
Thanks so much Dave. Loving your videos too. And love the cool new words I’m learning like “socked in” 😀
@@KateGrarock "socked in" 🤣🤣 that's new to me, I'm learning aswel 🤣🤣🤣
Loving the way your presentation style let’s the magnificent Australian scenery do the talking.
Thanks a lot. Some places are so beautiful it’s hard to take a bad photo
The music is next level, perfect back ground to your videos 👏👏
So glad I watched this before heading out, as I'll add an extra day to explore the upper gorge 🤩 also you answered my mystery bird name. Are Friabirds small to medium, slim curvy birds, tan in colour with a fanned tail?
How stunning was that stallion... Wow, but scary too. Thanks for sharing 👏👏
Thanks a lot. Yes it’s lovely up the gorge. Friabirds have naked heads look a little like a vulture but they are also cute and small like a magpie. Probably a bad description. Look forward to your hike vid. Enjoy
Really enjoying all your videos. Trying to figure out which hike to do next once the Qld border reopens and we can go south. My wife and I finished the Carnarvon hike 3 weeks ago and yes it was hard, especially the 2nd day (hand over hand scramble, etc) and that terrible, sharp climb on the last. Looking forward to your next video.
thanks so much. So much adventure to be had. Best of luck on your next adventure, hope its a good one. I hope to get over to WA next year for the Bibbulmun. Happy Hiking.
Oh wow you took it next level! We only did the overnight to the Big Bend, good on you! Was it fun?
It was pretty cool. But to be honest it was a bit sad leaving the gorge on day 2. You don’t really see it again till the last day. They really should make a few more points where you can look back into it.
Gee, you are a long way inland but the opening scenes look tropical, well to me anyway. I'll watch the rest during dinner which is now, more or less. Thanks for the video.
I know it’s mind blowing. You drive for like 7 hours through arid country and then hit the oasis. So amazing
Great video - not to be negative - but why did you get into the water at Big Bend? Out of respect to the original inhabitants there is no swimming/getting into the water in the gorge park. There is one place you can but it is outside of the park. Just curious. Maybe you didn’t know.
Hi thank you I didn’t realise this. I really appreciate you letting me know. I absolutely would not have done this had I known. I’ll edit the vid to remove that section.
Awesome video!! You have definitely inspired me to take on this adventure! One question is there any other way to get there without a car?
Thanks. Hmmm great question - Not that I'm aware of it is sooooo far from anywhere. Best of luck, sorry I couldn't be more help
All good thanks .. this will definitely be my first ever multi day hike . Thank you so much for sharing !! Definitely inspiring!!
Would you keep following the Carnarvon Gorge with a plan to pop up at Consuelo?
That would be really cool but no idea how hard it would be
Hey Kate, doing this walk in late May. Any hot tips?
I loved having 2 nights at big bend and day 2 I explored up the gorge. There are some great overhangs there. Enjoy.
Looks fantastic there buddy beautiful area why don't we support each others channels looks like we enjoy similar things
Thanks a lot. Sounds like a plan 👍
Are you the girl from Alone Australia? 😅
Hahaha sure am