Well of course Carnarvon Gorge is not in South East Queensland but it is on the list of must-do walks for anyone in Queensland.  I did this trip in Easter 2101.  I left work early on Thursday afternoon, returned home to Aspley to pack, leaving there on Brisbane northside around 3.00 pm.  I collected my eldest son from St Lucia on the way and the four of us drove to Chinchilla that evening and stayed at the Chinchilla Palms Motor Inn which is quite new being completed in 2006.  We stayed in a family suite which had 2 separate bedrooms (Queen and the other with two singles).

The main dining room had a fold-out sofa bed.  This is easily the largest motel family room we have ever seen. Friday morning we drove the rest of the way to our camp spot Takarakka. We arrived around 2.00 pm and spent the afternoon setting up camp.  This camping ground is well set up and offers unpowered and powered sites.  There are also fixed tents.  Communal cooking facilities appear popular and over the bust Easter weekend, there are movies and lectures by camp staff to introduce you to the Gorge.

Check the weather and road status before heading to the Gorge. We crossed water a few times and it would not have taken much rain to strand us there.

There are certainly worse places to be stranded.  The camp store has a broad range of food including frozen meat and groceries.  There is a satellite coin phone and also you buy wireless internet access.  Your 3G Telstra mobile will not work out here.

As far as walks go there are a few short walks to the creek to see a platypus.  The real walks are in the Gorge and is a short drive to the National park proper. Here is the Carnarvon Gorge Walk Planner.

We did only one day walk – probably the most popular one the 14 km trip directly to the Art Gallery then side trips on the return journey to the Moss Garden, Ward’s Canyon, and Amphitheatre.  My only regret is not leaving earlier in the day. We left it till around 10 pm and even at this time of year it was getting quite warm on the return trip.  Take1.5 to 2 litres of water minimum per person.

I saw families on this walk with small children.  Be prepared to carry them home.  This walk is not difficult but requires a reasonable amount of stamina.

Day 2 we had a swim in the Rockpool and spent a good hour teaching my daughter how to skip rocks.  We had a great time.

It is this trip that planted the seed of through walking in my mind.  I’d love to return and do the Carnarvon Great Walk.

Pic source here