Carnarvon Gorge

Carnarvon Gorge: A Tapestry of Time

Carnarvon Gorge, nestled within Queensland’s Carnarvon National Park, is a place of immense natural beauty and historical significance. Its story is etched in the dramatic landscape, a story that spans hundreds of millions of years and tens of thousands of human history.

Indigenous History

For millennia, Carnarvon Gorge has been intrinsically linked to the Aboriginal people. The Bidjara and Karingbal people are the Traditional Owners of this land, and their connection to it is deeply spiritual.

• Dreamtime: The gorge holds a significant place in their Dreamtime stories, with the Rainbow Serpent, Mundagurra, believed to have carved the gorge as it moved through the landscape.
• Rock Art: The gorge is home to some of Australia’s most remarkable Indigenous rock art, with sites like the Art Gallery and Cathedral Cave showcasing thousands of ochre stencils, paintings, and engravings. These artworks, some dating back thousands of years, provide a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage and spiritual practices of the Aboriginal people.
• A Sacred Place: Carnarvon Gorge was not just a place of habitation but also a significant ceremonial and meeting place for Indigenous groups. The gorge’s unique environment provided shelter, water, and resources, supporting gatherings and cultural exchange.

European History

European exploration of the Carnarvon region began in the 1840s.

• Exploration: Ludwig Leichhardt passed to the east of the gorge in 1844, and Thomas Mitchell followed to the west in 1846, naming the Carnarvon Range. Their reports of fertile land and water attracted European settlers.
• Settlement and Conflict: Pastoralists moved into the area in the 1860s, leading to conflict with the Aboriginal inhabitants. The settlers’ arrival disrupted traditional ways of life, and the competition for resources resulted in violent clashes.
• National Park: In 1932, recognizing its natural beauty, geological significance, and cultural heritage, Carnarvon Gorge was declared a National Park. This marked a turning point, shifting the focus from pastoral use to preservation and conservation.

Geological Aspects

Carnarvon Gorge’s dramatic landscape is a result of millions of years of geological activity and erosion.

• Formation: The gorge was primarily formed by the action of water erosion. Carnarvon Creek has carved its way through layers of sedimentary rock, creating the towering sandstone cliffs and deep canyons seen today.
• Layers of Time: The gorge exposes rock formations from different geological periods, including the Bowen Basin, the Surat Basin, and the Buckland Volcanic Province. The oldest layers, from the Bowen Basin, include siltstones and mudstones. The Surat Basin is notable for the Precipice Sandstone, which forms the gorge’s cliffs and is a crucial part of the Great Artesian Basin.
• Volcanic Activity: Volcanic activity around 30 million years ago left a cap of basalt over the area. As Carnarvon Creek eroded the softer sedimentary rocks beneath, the harder basalt formed the plateaus and tablelands that characterise the landscape.
• Great Artesian Basin: The porous sandstone layers of Carnarvon Gorge play a vital role in the Great Artesian Basin, acting as a major recharge area for this vast underground water resource.