The dream-time stories tell a tale of the Rainbow Serpent which made the gorges, and which resides in their permanent waterholes to this day. Aboriginal people did not live in the gorge permanently, it it thought, due to defensive concerns and lack of food resources, although another theory by other researchers suggest that permanent occupation was not allowed due to the gorge being considered sacred.
Ludwig Leichhardt was the first European explorer to pass nearby and make note of the ranges, during his expedition to Port Essington in 1844. Two years later, Thomas Mitchell passed to the west of Carnarvon Gorge. It was Mitchell who named the Carnarvon Range, possibly after Henry Herbert, 3rd Earl of Carnarvon.
By the late 1870s the invading settlers had prevailed and local Aboriginals sought refuge on properties run by those sympathetic to their plight. Subsequent years would see many forcibly removed from their homelands and transferred to government and church run reserves and missions. The latter process of removal is considered by some to have been, culturally, more destructive than the direct conflict that preceded it.
Route Map to Carnarvon Gorge
These two links will open a Google Map with all waypoints for this tentative route. You can use these maps to explore alternative routes and side adventures. Don't worry about "breaking" these maps. They have been saved and are restored whenever the links are reused.
Places
- Denman
- Coolah
- Moree
- Injune
- Carnarvon Gorge
- Roma
- Caliguel Lagoon
- Dumeresq River near Goondiwindi
- Copeton Dam / Inverell
- Moonan Brook
Attractions
Coolah
Coolah Tops is an elevated basalt plateau at the junction of the Liverpool Range and the Warrumbungle Range (part of the Great Dividing Range). The plateau rises steeply above the surrounding lands and is flanked by cliffs along its northern edge.
Small caves have formed in some of the basalt flows within the park. The largest cave contains 70m of passage, including an entrance chamber 20m wide and 12m high. The caves are not lava tubes but appear to have been formed by groundwater erosion of zeolite rich amygdaloidal basalt.
Carnarvon Gorge - see topographic map
Carnarvon Gorge is an oasis in the semi-arid heart of Central Queensland.
Here, towering white sandstone cliffs form a spectacular steep-sided gorge with narrow, vibrantly-coloured and lush side-gorges. Boulder-strewn Carnarvon Creek winds through the gorge.
A wealth of cultural and natural heritage lies within this special place. The gorge is home to a range of significant plant and animal species, many of them relics of cooler, wetter times.
Remnant rainforest flourishes in the sheltered side-gorges while endemic Carnarvon fan palms Livistona nitida, ancient cycads, ferns, flowering shrubs and gum trees line the main gorge. Grassy open forest grows on the cliff tops. The park's creeks attract a wide variety of animals including more than 173 species of birds.
Rock art on sandstone overhangs is a fragile reminder of Aboriginal people's long and continuing connection with the gorge. Ochre stencils, rock engravings and freehand paintings include some of the finest Aboriginal rock imagery in Australia.
- Roma Saleyards - the largest cattle selling centre in Australia, over 400,000 cattle a year
- Big Rig Night Show - Night Show Sunset Experience and tour of the EMSCO Rig
- Up the Creek Garage - Classic Car Museum
- Roma Bush Gardens - encompassing the picturesque Railway Dam
- Texas Rabbit Works
Highlights
Carnarvon Gorge Walks - see Best Hikes in Carnarvon Gorge- Cathedral Cave
- Indigenous Art Gallery
- Carnarvon Creek Nature Trail (platypus & turtles)
- Rockpool Walk
- Mickey Creek Gorge Walk
- Moss Garden
- Amphitheatre
- Wards Canyon
Potential Campsites with embedded Wikicamps links
- The Royal Hotel Denman - 7/6 (1 night)
- Coolah Sporting Club - 8/6 (1 night)
- Moree Tourist Park - 9/6 (1 night)
- Warroo Bridge on the Balonne River - 10/6 (1 night)
- Injune Rodeo Grounds - 11/6 (1 night)
- Sandstone Park - Carnarvon Gorge 12/6 to 19/6 (8 nights)
- Roma Gun Club - 20/6, 21/6 & 22/6 (3 nights)
- Caliguel Lagoon, Condamine - 23/6 & 24/6 (2 nights)
- Lees Reserve, Goondiwindi - 25/6 (1 night)
- Copeton Dam (Northern Foreshore) - 26/6 & 27/6 (2 nights)
- Bendemeer Camping Ground - 28/6 (1 night)
- Dave's Reserve (Moonan Brook) - 29/6 & 30/6 (2 nights)
Alternative Carnarvon Gorge Accommodation
Route Distance: 3,000 km
Average Daily Trip Distance (on travel days): 220 kms
Season: Winter
Duration: 25 days
Departure: 7 June 2022 (see Planning Calendar below)
Tentative Return: 1 July 2022
Participants:
Confirmed
- Roger and Helen Sandstone Park - Carnarvon Gorge between June 12th and June 20th
- Warren and Kerrie Sandstone Park - Carnarvon Gorge as above
- Sharon and Lyndon Roma Gun Club
- Brad and Ruth Breeze Holiday Parks - Carnarvon Gorge then Roma and Gundy
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1 comment:
Bookings are encouraged for Carnarvon Gorge caravan parks. Its super busy during school holidays.We have made a tentative booking at Sandstone Park from 12th June- 21st June 2022. Those dates avoid Queensland and NSW school Holidays.
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