CARNARVON GORGE

25^th May, 2016

We leave Roma and take the highway north to Rolleston where we check into the caravan park. To the south of here lies Carnarvon Gorge National Park and our plan is to take a day trip to the park and do a walk into the gorge. It has been over thirty years ago since we last visited the park with our children so it will be interesting to see what changes have taken place. On the way into the park we stop at a memorial which was erected to the memory of US and Australian services personnel killed in a World War II aircraft crash.

There is little left of the aircraft – the tail, a motor and bits and pieces.

We have noticed one major change so far. Except for the last 10 kilometres the road in is now tarred. The campground operated by the National Park that was situated at the entrance of the gorge has been closed and a caravan park/campground is now located quite a long distance away. We pull into the parking area at the visitor area, pack our backpack with snacks, fruit and water and set off up the gorge. The visitor pavilion is closed for renovations so the only signs of life are the resident kangaroos. The main walking track has obviously had a few changes made to it over the years. Instead of trekking beside the creek the track now ascends to halfway up the hillside on the northern side of the gorge

View along the track looking down to the creek at Carnarvon Gorge

and then follows the terrain until it finally descends down to the creek before the Moss Garden. We leave the main track here and climb up and up many steps until finally the Moss Garden comes into view.

Part of the Moss Garden at Carnarvon Gorge

Platform walkways and handrails have now been built along the moss wall in an effort to keep people from destroying the delicate plant structures. It is nice and cool here with water still flowing into the rock pool at the canyon end of the Moss Garden.

Moss Garden rock pool at Carnarvon Gorge

We retrace our steps back across the creek to the main track and continue hiking further up the gorge. The track now becomes a bit rougher with many creek crossings – much as we remember it from before.

Wok at one of the many creek crossings in Carnarvon Gorge

The next turnoff is to the Ampitheatre. We cross the creek once again and climb up the side canyon until we get to the base of the entrance to the Ampitheatre. Access is by way of a series of steel staircases attached to the cliff wall – much better than the rickety ladder we had to climb thirty odd years ago. At the top of the stairs a raised steel walkway has been installed to help you over the uneven rock floor in the tunnel leading into the Ampitheatre. We emerge at the other end into the Ampitheatre.

The Ampitheatre - Carnarvon Gorge

It is still as breathtaking as it was all those years ago. Here also, walkways and handrails have been installed to try and protect the fragile surroundings. This is as far as we intend to go up the gorge so we stop here for a bite to eat while we gaze up at the sheer walls that surround us.

It's a long way to the top of the cliffs inside the Ampitheatre

It is lovely and peaceful in this shady cavern with only the echoes of our voices to break the silence. Reluctantly we made our way back to the top of the stairs where we pause for a while to take in the view.

Taking in the view at the top of the stairs to the Ampitheatre

We're not looking forward to the hike back and by the time we reach the carpark we are well and truly bushed. We estimate that we have walked 14 kilometres today. No wonder our little feet, legs, hips etc. etc. are giving us grief. We're pleased that we made the effort though. Carnarvon Gorge is still a lovely place and for the more energetic there are other bush walks to be done and more things to see. Just for the moment though we are looking forward to a nice hot shower to soothe our aching muscles and maybe a day of relaxation is on the agenda for tomorrow …