Summary

The Sunshine State

Queensland has a wealth of bushwalking opportunities including multiple World Heritage Listed rainforests such as the Daintree and Lamington National Park, great coastal and island parks like Fraser Island and Hinchinbrook Island.

Other Information

World Heritage Areas

• Fraser Island
• Gondwana Rainforests of Australia (Lamington NP, Springbrook NP, Mount Chinghee NP, Mount Barney NP, Main Range NP)
• Great Barrier Reef
• Riversleigh
• Wet Tropics (Daintree NP, Barron Gorge NP, Cedar Bay NP, Girringun NP, Wooroonooran NP)

Contact details

Queensland Parks and Forest:
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/

Regions

The link below provides a region map of QLD as a reference to what council zones are included in the 7 geographic regions of QLD.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_of_Queensland#/media/File:Qld-regions-map.gif

1. Far North Queensland
2. North Queesnland
3. Central Queensland
4. Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday
5. Wide Bay Burnett
6. Darling Downs South West
7. South East Queensland

Walks in Carnarvon National Park

(Central Queensland)

Medium

9.7 km return

5 hrs

Main Gorge

Main gorge walking track
The main gorge walking track crosses Carnarvon Creek many times as it winds the 9.7km from the visitor centre to Big Bend. Side-tracks from the main gorge track lead to a range of sites. The track is mostly flat, although the side-tracks involve steeper sections.

The featured sites on side-tracks can be combined to create one-day walks. For example, the Moss Garden, Amphitheatre, Ward's Canyon and the Art Gallery sites can be visited on a 14km return one-day walk.

Easy

5.8 km return

2 hrs

Maranoa River Circuit Walk

Striking sandstone monoliths point the way through colourful woodlands to the Maranoa River and an ancient Aboriginal art and burial site.
This 5.8 km easy circuit walk that takes in the Looking Glass, the Chimneys and the Tombs. You can also do each separately.

Easy

200 m return

10 mins

Marlong Arch Track

Discover a towering yet narrow natural archway, shaped over time by wind and water, and unique from every angle.

Easy

80 m return

5 mins

Marlong Plain

A stop on the Mount Moffatt Circuit Drive the natural grassland of Marlong Plain is especially lovely as the sun sets. You can walk down to the edge of the plain for views of distant sandstone cliffs and ridges.

Medium

4.7 km return

2 hrs

Mickey Creek

Wander along Mickey Creek and into narrow side gorges where the walking track becomes a rock-hopping adventure. Swamp wallabies are often seen resting here. Rocky sections of this track are slippery and caution is needed on creek crossings. The formed track ends 1.5km from the Mickey Creek car park.

Medium

7.5 km return

3 hrs

Moss Garden

Water drips constantly from the sandstone walls of the Moss Garden, supporting a lush carpet of mosses, ferns and liverworts. Beneath tree ferns straining for sunlight, a small waterfall tumbles over a rock ledge into an icy pool.

Easy

1.6 km return

45 mins

Nature Trail

This short stroll along the shady banks of Carnarvon Creek provides a snapshot of the plant life on the gorge floor. You can see turtles basking in the sun, and if you're quiet enough you may see the elusive platypus. Dusk and dawn provide the best opportunities for watching wildlife.

Easy

900 m return

30 mins

Rock Pool

The Rock Pool has been carved from the bed of Carnarvon Creek by the turbulent water of past floods. Rest in the shade of fig and casuarina trees and watch for platypus and turtles. Stop at the first pool if you must but there is a much bigger and deeper second pool just downstream. The picnic area includes toilets but no longer has a gas barbecue. This is the only place in Carnarvon Gorge designated for swimming.

Easy

8 km

4 hrs

Salvator Rosa

Spy glass peak and surrounding sandstone features make this walk very interesting for photography. The natural wall near the peak appears as if man made.

Easy

1 km return

30 mins

Takarakka Lookout

A great opportunity to climb to the lookout with views over to the entrance to Carnarvon Gorge some 4km away. Great place for a evening drink while watching the sun set in the distance. Don't be surprised to meet a few of the 'locals' on your way.