Carnarvon National Park - QLD

This park has the well known Carnarvon Gorge plus 3 other lesser visited sections at Mt Moffat, Ka Ka Mundi and Salvator Rosa.

Carnarvon Gorge is a paradise carved from the rugged sandstone range by the passage of water and time. The spectacular gorge carries special significance in Aboriginal mythology and is equally important as an historic geological landmark. Vast rock formations hold fast their secret memories of ancient tribal gatherings. Stencil art, images and symbols of the Aboriginal Dreamtime adorn the various walls in the Gorge. Carnarvon Gorge is the most visited section of the expansive 298,000 hectare Carnarvon National Park.

The inaccessible Consuelo Tableland and Great Dividing Range provide a spectacular backdrop to the Gorge. Visitors generally stay at least three nights to explore the 21km of graded walking tracks, explore the side gorges and view Aboriginal art sites.Many short walks from the main gorge track lead to beautiful side gorges and waterfalls. Half day walks will lead to unique sites such as the Moss Garden, Amphitheatre and Ward's Canyon.

The Moss Garden is a world of its own. A spring constantly pours forth water which, slowly filtering through the sandstone, leaves the rock surface with a myriad of tiny droplets. A carpet of green moss and a waterfall looking up into the accessible Violet Gorge make this spot a place to visit.

The Amphitheatre is a site which simply must be seen to be believed. Inside the ancient rock wall, hidden behind a narrow crack, millions of years have produced an incredible crevice in which you will feel dwarfed by majesty. It will lift your spirits as well as your voice as the Amphitheatre is well known for its remarkable acoustics.

Entering Ward's Canyon you will immediately notice a drop in temperature. Like stepping into another time you will be surrounded by King Ferns, Angiopteris, the largest fern in the world. There is also that rare moment of sunlight playing on the hidden Aljon Falls, which only happens for about five minutes every day.

Salvatore Rosa NP, the western extension of the park, is accessed via Tambo. It has a couple of camp sites with interesting and unusual sandstone sculptures and moonscapes similar to west Tenterfield. Another world same planet. Photos at sunset majik.