Trek Notes - Australia

Carnarvon Gorge & The Bunya Mountains

Carnarvon Gorge, Cania Gorge & the Bunya Mountains

General Information
This holiday focuses on the magnificent outback Carnarvon Gorge, a place that is spoken of in awe.  The central feature of Carnarvon is a beautiful stream flowing the length of the gorge, forming a cool and refreshing oasis for unusual plants and huge numbers of birds.  Several intriguing side gorges can also be explored on foot.  We will also guide you to a dramatic lookout on top of the gorge rim.  

The steep overhung walls of Carnarvon house some of the most vivid aboriginal art sites anywhere in the country, with animals, humans, weapons and tools all clearly depicted in rich ochre patterns.  At places like the Art Gallery and Cathedral Cave you’ll see thousands of such images.

Lots of holidays go to places where there are abundant beautiful birds, but Carnarvon Gorge must surely be the best, with almost 200 species sighted there.  That is a quarter of all birds recorded in Australia!

On the way to Carnarvon Gorge we’ll travel via the rainforest-clad Bunya Mountains.  These mountains were named after a distinctively shaped native pine tree – the unique bunya “nuts” will feature on the dinner menu!  The walks here are totally different to Carnarvon Gorge with numerous waterfalls and dense rainforest cloaked in ferns and mosses.

We’ll also walk at nearby Cania Gorge – yet another different experience with drier eucalypt forest, rugged rock formations and a real sense of isolation.

Location
Starts and finishes at Brisbane airport.

Travel
Air-conditioned mini bus. Total travel distance 1725km.

Grading
You should be in reasonable shape, but there’s certainly no need to be a triathlete!  On some days we’ll do a full day walk and on other days there may be several shorter walks.  Our full day walks generally involve 4-6 hours on the track at a moderate pace, though this might be broken into two or three separate sections.  We have designed this itinerary so that nearly every day, one guide can offer a faster, longer or harder walk, while the other will guide people on the standard itinerary.  So, most people should find options that suit their fitness level.

Accommodation
We want you to enjoy every aspect of our walking holidays.  So, in addition to finding great walks, we have also made an effort to find interesting and comfortable accommodation for you.  At the Bunya Mountains we’ll stay in spacious self-contained chalets. At Cania Gorge the best accommodation available is simple cabins with ensuites – but they are clean, modern and quiet.  At Carnarvon Gorge we’ll stay in safari-style cabins at Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge (note that queen sized beds are generally not available here).  This eco retreat is located at one end of the gorge and is surrounded by zamia palms and open lawns.  It features an excellent restaurant and Oasis Bar.

Regional food & wine highlights
Try the unique bunya nut in the Bunya Mountains and wash it down with some wine from the many boutique wineries in the district.

Included
Accommodation, most meals (7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners), 2 guides, all transport from Brisbane airport, national park fees, information booklets, insulated lunch bag, map case, notes, maps.

Not included
Alcohol, meals not listed in itinerary, drinks with meals (except tea/coffee and juice with breakfast).

Itinerary
Day 1: Departs Brisbane airport at 10.00am.  Travel via Toowoomba and on to one of the many wineries in this part of Queensland for lunch.  We’ll arrive at the Bunya Mountains about mid-afternoon and enjoy a 2-3 hour circuit walk in the rainforest. Our accommodation here will be in modern self-contained chalets and we stay for two nights.  Dinner will be in a local restaurant where you can try the local delicacy – bunya pine. Estimated driving distance: 260km

Day 2: Today will be a full day walk taking in most of the highlights of the Bunya Mountains including delightful streams, cascading waterfalls, stunning lookouts, dense rainforest and, of course, a lesson about bunya pines! Estimated driving distance: 10km

Day 3: A fair bit of driving today as we head north to Cania Gorge.  Most of this countryside is pastoral, with pockets of extensive cropping.  Our driving route crosses many huge rivers – most will be dry at this time of year but it’s easy to imagine just how much rain does fall in this part of the world at certain times of the year.  We’ll stop in the typical rural town of Mundubbera for lunch, and then arrive at Cania about mid-afternoon.  Our first walk at Cania Gorge takes us to a high vantage point overlooking the rocky gorge walls.  Tonight we’ll stay in simple but clean, modern and quiet cabins and enjoy a BBQ dinner with the local wildlife. Estimated driving distance: 400km

Day 4: The day starts with another Cania Gorge walk, visiting three evocatively named features – Bloodwood Cave, Dragon Cave and The Overhang.  One the road again heading for Carnarvon Gorge, travelling through the outback towns of Monto, Banana and Biloela (bet you can’t pronounce that one!)  We’ll unpack the bags at Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge and settle in for a three-night stay. Estimated driving distance: 440km

Day 5: An early start today, with an opportunity of walking right to the end of the Gorge at Big Bend – a distance of 20km return.  There are many side walks to do on the way back, such as Boowinda Creek, Cathedral Cave, Art Gallery, Ward’s Canyon, Ampitheatre, Hellhole Gorge & Moss Garden.  If this sounds a bit much, there are numerous fascinating gorges to visit with our second guide who will be offering a less demanding walk. Estimated driving distance: 10km

Day 6: Explore another area of the Gorge today, featuring Mickey Creek, Warrumbah Gorge, Baloon Cave and a pleasant walk to the Rock Pool (with time for swim).  People who prefer more challenge can accompany our second guide, who will attempt to reach the rim of the Gorge (and get back before dinner!) Estimated driving distance: 10km

Day 7: This morning’s walk is one of the best the national park has to offer, so we’ll all walk to Boolimba Bluff for absolutely ripper views.  After lunch back at the lodge, our travel resumes, passing through Injune, then on to Roma for the night.  Roma is the cradle of Australia’s petroleum industry, following the discovery of oil and gas there in 1900, as well as being home to Queensland’s oldest winery Romaville winery.  Tonight we will stay in a comfortable motel. Estimated driving distance: 245km

Day 8: A travelling day today as we head back to Brisbane through the rural towns of Miles, Dalby and Toowoomba.  We estimate arriving in Brisbane at around 4.00pm. Estimated driving distance: 350km