Ward's Canyon is a cool place to visit on a hot day. It is home to the world's largest fern; the King Fern Angiopteris evecta. These impressive green 'dinosaurs' have strong links with the ancient flora of Gondwanan origin. A short, steep rise up through spotted gums leads to the lower falls and then further into the shaded canyon.

Bird Watching
Picnic Facilities
Toilets
No Dogs Permitted
No Camping Permitted
Eucalypt Forest
498m
Maximum Elevation
92m
Total Climb

Getting there:

Drive into Carnarvon Gorge off the Carnarvon Highway via Carnarvon Access Road and follow to the end of the road, where there are the car parks and Information Centre.

Maps:

Carnarvon Gorge National Park

Route/Trail notes:

Head out from the information Centre on the Main Track, that starts with a creek rock crossing. After 4.3km and five further creek crossings, a side track to the right (270m) will take you up to Wards Canyon via a steep staircase past the waterfall.

Return by the same route.

Permits/Costs:

None.

Other References/Comments:

A toilet stop is available just beyond the Moss Garden turn off.

Most people will take the opportunity to travel further into the gorge to visit the Art Gallery, the Amphitheatre and Moss Garden (14km) return, or if you have the time and energy down to Big Bend and Cathedral Cave (24km) return.

The Gorge is a long way out, so there are a number of places just outside of the National Park to camp: Takarakka Bush Camp, Wilderness Lodge and Sandstone Park and in the holiday season, Carnarvon Gorge Camping Area.

Comments

Short side trip off the main gorge track. Lovely cool spot. Not difficult to get to unless you can’t do steps.

Olwyn on 11 Sep, 2021

Pretty little spot! Quite a lot of steps leading up to it. Amazing how much cooler it is when you get there though, it's like someone switched the air con on. Nice little stream with many of the rocks in the water stained red. Also a bunch of tree ferns & giant king ferns. Liked it so much we went back a second time.

Suz on 28 Aug, 2021

Completed with Art Gallery, Ampitheatre and Moss Gardens (approx 14km total).

Rosie on 8 Jul, 2021

This was by far the best of the top four: Moss Garden, Amphitheatre, Art Gallery and Wards Canyon. Absolutely fascinating with a waterfall, King Ferns and some modern history attached.
On the day I was down there, a thunder storm came through and a number of my fellow campers spent an hour sheltering under the overhang whilst the thunder and lightning rocked the gorge. Fantastic experience.
Came back to camp to find everything under water, but within an hour it had all soaked away.

F.A.B. on 12 May, 2021

Amazing

Suzanne on 7 Nov, 2019

Don't miss this one. Naturally air conditioned and peaceful place. Rare king ferns are a very nice touch.

Nathan Boyce on 2 Oct, 2019

My favourite little side track out of them all. If you are planning which trails to do, don't miss this one.

Rhiannon Brooks on 5 Apr, 2019

Done as a side track on the way back from Art Gallery. The brief note on the sign about winding up past a waterfall is an understatement indeed and does not do justice to the King Ferns in the short canyon.

GMess on 7 Nov, 2018

Lovely spot

Mackamcb on 19 Sep, 2018

Steep steps up to the waterfall but continue up the creek side to discover the King Ferns growing in the canyon. Very unexpected & lovely spot.

Cheryl on 29 Aug, 2017

Another one that is a must see , just a few steep sections but take your time if older or not so fit....it's worth it !

J on 12 Jun, 2017

If you only visit one place, go here! Nice cool stopover. We stayed for over an hour just relaxing in the shade and watching the water flow through the rocks. Definitely visit this one!

Take a Hike on Jun, 2017

air con plus a small stream . the waterfall is beautiful

wendy on 28 Dec, 2016

Great day out exploring

HelenR on 15 Mar, 2016

Where

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