Carnarvon Gorge - 4 Days
This is the ultimate winter walking escape in the heart of the Queensland outback. Fabulous warm days and cool evenings set the scene for one of Australia's best-kept secrets, Carnarvon Gorge. Queensland's answer to the Kimberley, but with tracks far kinder underfoot, the gorge delivers towering cliff faces, endless views, prolific wildlife, and unsurpassed indigenous art sites as good as any walking destination in the world.
The walk begins in Roma, a short flight from Brisbane, with the gorge accessible only by road. The remoteness is part of the appeal, delivering a sense of seclusion that is increasingly rare.
Two experienced guides take care of every detail throughout, with pack-free walking and the option to shorten walks where preferred.
Highlights
Day 1
The trip starts in Roma at 11:00 am with a pick up at the city/airport and a drive out to Carnarvon Gorge. We will arrive in the Carnarvon Gorge in the mid-afternoon and will head out to do our first walk. This is a leisurely walk-through fig and Casuarina trees to hopefully spot the elusive platypus or maybe a turtle or two. A Night Safari follows, to spotlight for yellow-bellied gliders, and then it’s back to our accommodation for dinner.
Luxury Safari Tent in Carnarvon Gorge
Lunch, Dinner
Luxury Safari Tent (3 nights)
3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 3 dinners
Auswalk Walking Grade
Moderate
Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.
Expect some hills and longer walking days. A reasonable level of fitness will help you enjoy the experience.
View Fitness Guide4
Days on the trail
5-20 km
Daily distance range
Daily ascent range
6/10
Trail difficulty
Situated right in the heart of the national park, the accommodation for all three nights sits in a tranquil bush setting with views up to the escarpment above. All rooms have en-suite facilities, and waking to wildlife at the door is a regular feature of staying this deep inside Carnarvon Gorge.
Meals are well covered on this walk, with three breakfasts, four lunches and three dinners included throughout. Breakfasts are either buffet or à la carte depending on the day's walking, and dinners include two à la carte meals alongside one roast dinner. Lunches are walker's affairs taken at some of the most remarkable locations in the gorge, with a high-protein salad, a roll or wrap, a muesli bar, something sweet, fresh fruit and trail mix making up the daily spread.
Note: Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source in more remote parts of this walk.
The walk starts and finishes in Roma, in outback Queensland, Australia. Roma Airport (RMA) has regular domestic flights from Brisbane. A pick-up from the airport or town centre is included on the first day, with a transfer out to Carnarvon Gorge. At the end of the walk, a transfer back to Roma is included, from where onward flights to Brisbane and beyond are available.
Departure dates for this guided group walk are set for July, August and September, when conditions in the gorge are at their finest. Dry high-pressure systems dominate at this time of year, bringing little chance of rain and dazzling blue skies above the sandstone cliffs. Daytime temperatures are warm and sunny, around 25 to 27°C, though nights can drop close to zero, so warm layers are essential. September is particularly fine, with the gorge's native plants coming into flower. Start early on walking days to make the most of the cooler morning hours.
This walk is graded moderate. Daily walks average 14.7 kilometres with around 300 metres of ascent and descent, and a terrain difficulty rating of 6 out of 10. Most tracks are firm and well-maintained, though the terrain is uneven in places and good balance is essential. The walk involves rock hopping over Carnarvon Creek, with up to 36 creek crossings on longer days. Full-day walks can reach up to 21 kilometres for those who wish to push further, with shorter options also available.
Sturdy walking boots with reliable grip are essential, and balance and lower-body strength exercises are worthwhile preparation.
Two professional guides accompany the trip throughout.
You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.
A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.
Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.
A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.
Select a fixed group departure - places are limited
Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.
I have been very pleased with Auswalk self guided and guided walks. Both guides had excellent knowledge and were very thorough in their organisation. They provided all the support that was needed and were friendly and helpful. The group of people on this walk all got on very well, so that was also a highlight.
Auswalk were good to communicate with. The guided walk was well organised and thought out. The guides (Michelle & Christian) were great with lots of local knowledge they shared which enhanced our experience greatly. The Amphitheatre in Carnarvon Gorge was very much the 'wow' moment. Grand, awe-inspiring, with an atmosphere all it's own.
Very good communication, well organised, good accommodation and food. However it was Guides Michelle and Christian who really made the trip! Their local in depth knowledge, passion and obvious love of the area took the trip to the next level.
This level of trip suited us very well both from a walking and accomodation point of view. Day walks returning to a comfortable base and prepared food was great. The walking in Carnarvon gorge was magnificent and the 4 days covered very different aspects of the gorge. Our guides Christian and Michelle were outstanding: organised, calm, knowledgeable and friendly. They couldn’t have been better.
Well organised and that makes for a very relaxing holiday. All of the gorge was spectacular but seeing greater gliders was special. Our guides were very knowledgeable, supportive and caring.
Great and knowledgeable guides. excellent accommodation and meal arrangements. Stunning location. Highly recommend.
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