Zaanse Shans is the dreamiest half day trip from A, Whats a trip to Holland without a good windmill, How I crossed the overland border from Senegal to, Final days chilling out in The Gambia! The Carnarvon Gorge Day Use Area has picnic tables and toilet facilities and parking facilities for cars, motorhomes, and caravans. Composting toilets are also located along the main walking track. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a comfortable 22C (72F), whilst at night 11C (51F) is normal. Best, Steph. These tracks are maintained periodically and therefore caution needs to be taken. Fires are prohibited within Ka Ka Mundi section of Carnarvon National Park. Book your accommodation and tours at least 6 months in advance to avoid disappointment around the September-October schoolholidays. On average January is the driest month of the year in Carnarvon with around 14mm 0.6 inches of rain making it a dry time to visit. Just perfect! The climate in Carnarvon during November can be summarized as hot and very dry. Never one for staying at home for too long, Ive been travelling for over 15 years! The best time to visit Carnarvon Gorge is between April and September. On average April is the 4th driest month of the year in Carnarvon with around 10mm 0.4 inches of rain making it a very dry time to visit. Particularly during the school holiday period sites can be booked out months in advance. [3] The reports of pastureland and good water carried back to the colonies brought settlers to the area, and began a period of bloody conflict between settlers and Aboriginals. If the info isnt on the website, then maybe call or email QLD National parks? The lowest temperature recorded in the Gorge is -2C, whereas temperatures lower than -5C are experienced within 5 kilometres of its mouth. Fires are permitted in fire rings provided at some Mount Moffatt section camping areas and the Nogoa River camping area within Salvator Rosa section. Pack breakfast and snacks and start walking at first light. The National Park's invertebrate species are extremely diverse. Enjoy, Steph , Your email address will not be published. Over 70,000 visitors per annum make the trek to Carnarvon Gorge.[5]. Here, youll find dining tables and chairs and absolutely everything you could possibly need to cook a delicious dinner. If you decide to go camping at the Carnarvon Gorge Visitor Area, be sure to book as spots here really do fill up quickly. The Visitor Centre is open 8am to 4pm every day and offers free wifi. Camping is available from only $6 p/person p/night, which is a real bargain given the facilities on offer here: a gorgeous grassy camping area, teaming with wildlife and adorned with picnic tables and free BBQs, adequate toilet and shower facilities, along with hot showers available for $1. When visitation (and therefore hand-feeding) tapers off over the summer low tourism season the abnormal populations place abnormal pressure on the species' natural food sources which can include the young of other bird species. Macrozamia moorei is closely associated with the Tertiary basalt flows of the Buckland Volcanic Province, and is endemic to Central Queensland. Sadly, we still hadnt made it there it was a good 2 day drive from our base in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast just to get there so we knew it had to be one of the first stops on our budget 4wd drive round Australia. because I cant find it on their main website. It is perhaps the perfect month to visit Carnarvon, with some particularly good weather at this time of year. We hiked the main track into the gorge from the Visitor Centre which is relatively flat and takes you over about seven creek crossings before reaching the Art Gallery with its amazing display of Aboriginal rock art. This situation is of concern to Park rangers as it allows opportunistic species, such as the laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) and the pied currawong (Strepera graculina), to develop population sizes that are abnormally large. The only things we didnt get to visit were some of the other surrounding areas of national park such as Lake Nuga and Nuga and Expedition National Park. indoor temperature, Temperature freshwater turtles such as Kreffts river turtle (Emydura krefftii) and the saw-shelled turtle (wollumbinia latisternum) are in strong numbers in Carnarvon Creek, commonly seen sunning themselves on rocks and logs during the middle of the day. Read the disclaimer for more information. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a warm 30C (86F), whilst at night 20C (69F) is normal. Domestic animals are not permitted in any areas of Carnarvon National Park. Walsh, G. L. 1999. During your stay, youll have the opportunity to meet wallabies, kangaroos, a huge range of birdlife, echidna and even a few cheeky platypus! We have just been to Kathherine Gorge and the last part of that was a real goat track. On average June is the 6th driest month of the year in Carnarvon with around 48mm 1.9 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. As you walk along the trails at Carnarvon Gorge, its impossible not to be blown away by the sheer beauty all around you. Greatest chance of Carnarvon Creek flooding. This is where we stayed when we visited Carnarvon Gorge National Park, because it was the cheapest option! It is perhaps the perfect month to visit Carnarvon, with some inordinately good weather at this time of year. Ancient rains, which have become trapped in the porous sandstone cliffs, slowly trickle out on the rock, forming hundreds of small tributaries that then join the main gorge creek. Apologies for the inconvenience. Monthly All Data . The introduced cane toad is currently implicated in the local disappearance of the northern quoll, once thought extinct all over QLD, a small population was established not long ago after 30 years of not one sighting of this critter, was found on a spotting job(Dasyurus Hallucatus). For the Carnarvon Gorge Visitor Area, do you know if they still have the $1 showering facility? October is a very dry month in Carnarvon and the temperature is generally warm. In the mouth of Carnarvon Gorge, there are another five sites to visit; Boolimba Bluff, the Nature Trail, the Rockpool, Mickey Creek Gorge and Baloon Cave (closed due to bushfire damage in December, 2018). ), picnic tables, BBQs, toilets and fresh water facilities. Hello! The Easter school holidays will see a spike in visitation as Carnarvon Gorge fills up. In terms of day walks, there are plenty of shorter hikes available to those just looking to explore the area for a few hours at a time. Theres a BBQ, gas cooktop, pots and pans, knives, fridge, microwave and myriad of cooking implements. This makes it relatively easy to reach Carnarvon Gorge from all the surrounding coastal cities such as Brisbane, Rockhampton, Gladstone and Bundaberg. Essentially, you follow the one path through the gorge the whole way, veering off to follow shorter paths to the left or right, which will take you to different sites. You might warm up as you walk in the open sections of the Gorge, but as soon as you head into any of the side-gorges it will get chilly no matter what time of day it is. as the drive is no joke and youll need a reliable vehicle that can handle bumps in the road. Taka offers camping and other accommodation all year-round and you can also find camping options seasonally at the Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge and Sandstone Park. Carnarvon's weather in September is typically warm and very dry in nature. Visitors to Wards Canyon have the opportunity to observe these creatures easily in the clear, shallow, spring-fed stream. Apart from Carnarvon Gorge Section of the Carnarvon National Park, all other access areas of the park are unsealed and is advised to use a 4WD vehicle. A few short steps from the entrance to the studio is the shared kitchen area, exclusive to studio guests only. Most areas of Carnarvon National Park have little to no phone reception and therefore is limited and unreliable. Hi Steph, Fires are prohibited in Carnarvon Gorge camping areas including Big Bend. Sadly, the Carnarvon Gorge Visitor Area camp facilities are only open during Queensland School Holidays, so you really must visit during a few select weeks of the year to access this great campsite. Youll find Carnarvon Gorge in Queenslands central highlands, 720km north-west of Brisbane, in an area known as the Sandstone Wilderness. here will be fewer walkers on the Gorge's trails and solitude will be easier to come by. Daily Weather Observations from this site are included in the Daily Weather Observations Carnarvon Climate outlooks Monthly and seasonal climate outlooks Additional climate information Weather station directory Climate and oceans data and analysis Page created: Thu 23 Mar 2023 03:02:43 AM EST The visitor centre offers free Wi-Fi from 8am to 4pm every day, and there is also access to public phone 24hrs a day. A NEW pet friendly camping option in Carnarvon Gorge is opening for self sufficient campers from May 2017 called Sandstone Park might be worth checking out. There is however a number of road networks throughout Mount Moffatt, Salvator Rosa and Ka Ka Mundi sections of the park. When to Go The most pleasant weather for hiking is from April through June, with daytime temperatures between 18-25C. Hi Im Steph and Im a travel addict! There are a small number of studios, secreted away from other Taka accommodations so theres an exclusive, private feel and the studios are modern, fresh and very comfortable. Flora ranges from lush palms to pine-like forest and towering gumtrees. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a warm 32C (90F), whilst at night 22C (72F) is normal. The best time to visit is anywhere between April and September when youll find the temperatures much cooler and better suited to all those outdoor activities youre going to want to do. There are no fuel or vehicle repair facilities in the Carnarvon Gorge area, so make sure you are well prepared with adequate supplies and necessary car checks in place before you come here. 2005. Pros:May generally sees maximum temperatures become cool enough for comfortable walking and the Gorge should remain lush and green after the wet season. Sunny. Wayne Baddock says his radar islocated on top of a hill in the seaside town of Gracetown, Western Australia, and isable to pick up current temperatures, wind speeds and rainfall. Find historical weather data by zip code and access weather archives from more than 1,300 stations across the United States and Canada, dating back to 1960. The Visitor Centre at Carnarvon Gorge is an incredibly good resource, staffed by rangers with lots of info and free walking maps for you to take. Grant, Claire. Whilst the conditions just described are usual, there are exceptions. On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 10.6 hours of sunshine per day. In my opinion, a visit to Carnarvon Gorge is all about getting outdoors and immersing yourself in the Australian bush. Its easy to see why this spot is popular as there are good facilities, including coin-operated showers (BYO stash of $1 coins! Perfect for stylish strollling, I love mine, #3 Good Guidebook Im still a massive fan of the Lonely Planet Guidebooks and do think their Australia edition is well put together. You have been warned! The Precipice Sandstone is one of the primary intake beds for the Great Artesian Basin, giving the area where it lies exposed significance as a replenishment zone. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Its pretty remote out there. On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 8 hours of sunshine per day. Youll also need to wake up very early, I would recommend hitting the trail no later than 5am (pack a headlight/torch) and plan to get out of the Gorge no later than 10am. 5.5km/h (7.4km/h Gusts). . Whether youre a grey nomad, avid adventurer or fun family, Carnarvon Gorge is a must-visit destination. Each of the rock strata exposed in the Gorge erodes and weathers according to its own characteristics, and the variety of soil types and landforms generated goes a long way towards explaining why Carnarvon Gorge supports such a diversity of life. 2wd vehicles can manage it, but 4wd can cope better! The Ultimate Female Packing Guide for Australia, 2023 Big World Small Pockets. January is in the summer in Carnarvon and is typically the coldest month of the year. Take more water than you think you'll need. #TravelWell in Queensland with our epic guide to Carnarvon Gorge! May is Simon's favourite month in the Gorge for these reasons. I cant verify they still do as its a number of years since I have been through the area. The youngest rocks in the area are the igneous basalt rocks of the Buckland volcanic Province which were laid down between 35-27 million years ago to depths of up to 300 metres. The farming of cattle and growing of crops remains a vibrant industry around Carnarvon Gorge but, since 1932 when it was gazetted as a National Park,[4] such activities have no longer been allowed in the gorge itself. As I mentioned, you can camp or set up your caravan at Takarakka Bush Resort or get cosy in one of their safari tents. Frequently asked questions about Carnarvon Gorge. Carnarvon Gorge is a truly amazing part of Australia's wilderness. Owned by Queensland National Parks, this camping ground sits within the park itself, right next to the visitor centre and very near the start of the walking trails. If you visit during the summer months, you need to expect incredibly hot weather. The Department of Environment and Science collects personal information from you, including information about your email address and telephone number. Its a place Matt and I had both heard of and knew about but hadnt ever thought to make the effort to visit. One day we walked to Boolimba Bluff, another we walked the Main Gorge Track and the third we visited the Nature Trail, the Rock Pool and Baloon Cave. However the other main walks to see the rock art etc, are pretty flat and well maintained, so these should be fine. The 1km return stroll to Baloon Cave is also a great pick for families and will take you past Aboriginal rock art too. Absolutely picturesque. If it turns up, rainy weather can keep daytime temperatures at around10C. It is the most visited feature within Carnarvon National Park due to the diversity of experiences it contains and the ease with which it can be accessed. There is also an extended table with more statistics available. The Carnarvon Gorge camping area does not have hot showers. Mostly sunny. November is in the spring in Carnarvon and is typically the 2nd warmest month of the year. Over 180 species of bird have been recorded within the Gorge,[4] from the tiny weebill (Smicrornis brevirostris) to the wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax). Storms are common, particularly in the afternoons. frost days, Climate Carnarvon Gorge is very popular, so book accommodation early! Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 14 with daytime temperatures reaching the mid to high 20s. The weather is often pretty bad and not conducive to spending time outdoors. In April, we were experiencing minimum temperatures of around 18 degrees, which is more than comfortable, but they will certainly drop a lot lower than that in the peak winter months of June August, so do bring warm clothes. Heres a look at our experience and some details on luxe, less and tour options. Most rain falls during the summer months of November - February and access during this time is severely restricted. May is in the fall / autumn in Carnarvon and is typically the 5th coldest month of the year. Hiking is certainly the main attraction when visiting Carnarvon Gorge National Park, but alongside this, there are plenty of other things to enjoy. In the same way, Carnarvon Gorge has also supported human communities for thousands of years and signs of a rich cultural heritage can be seen in sections of Aboriginal rock art and ancient burial sites. Carnarvon Gorge is an oasis in the semi-arid heart of Central Queensland. Please note our recommendations for when to visit Carnarvon are based solely on the weather and do not take into accounts accommodation prices, how busy it will be and what events are on. Were going to be in Carnarvon in July. Possible rainfall: 0 to 1 mm Chance of any rain: 30% Mostly sunny morning. I last visited Carnarvon Gorge in 2016 so its totally possible things have changed since then! Carnarvon Gorge is one of Queensland, Australias most spectacular national parks with 16,000ha of wilderness having been preserved since 1932. The weather is often not a good and not conducive to spending time outdoors. This is Michelle's favourite time of the year for these reasons. [8] The Big Bend Camping Area is open year-round.[8]. Sunny. Been on the list for sometime now and after reading all your great info..im confident n excited..thanking you. So thats our ultimate guide for visiting Carnarvon Gorge National Park in Queensland, Australia. Average July temperature range is 6.3C 20.9C, and average January temperature range is 20.5C 35.5C. The nearest towns of significance are either Roma or Emerald, both of which can be reached via a domestic flight if necessary. Our studio featured a very comfortable Queen bed, air-conditioning and a fan, a desk, mini-fridge private deck and ensuite bathroom. Layered clothing is the key to success. Whats great about Carnarvon Gorge is theres accommodation for every budget and travel preference! Given its remote location, you will definitely need a car to get to Carnarvon Gorge (unless youre an eccentric billionaire with a private helicopter). In 2009 as part of the Q150 celebrations, the Carnarvon Gorge was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for its role as a "Natural attraction".[1]. The number of years (provided in the 2nd last column of the table) may differ between elements if the observing program at the site changed. My ultimate guide to road tripping Australia on a shoestring is now available, meaning you can finally get ALL my top tips for driving around all, or parts, of this amazing country in one handy eBook, including. Buried deep in the states Central Highlands, this region sits just below the tropic of Capricorn in a rugged and semi-arid area of the country. Monthly statistics are only included if there are more than 10 years of data. There are kennels available for daily hire at Sandstone Park, the newest accommodation option at the Gorge. The Bluff track is largely uphill and steep, so that may not be the best for you. Be sure to leave our beautiful country just as you found it (or better!). We did the big walk out to Wards first then, along the way back, ducked into Amphitheatre and Moss Garden. This is the only sealed section for 2WD access to the park. Matt. If you do forget something, dont worry, Taka has a great little shop at the reception thats kitted out with everything from salt and pepper to veggies, breakfast cereals, snacks, ice creams and even booze! On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 11.7 hours of sunshine per day. Find the most current and reliable 14 day weather forecasts, storm alerts, reports and information for Carnarvon, ON, CA with The Weather Network. December is in the summer in Carnarvon and is typically the warmest month of the year. If you do get caught in the Gorge during rain - feel privileged. Your email address will not be published. We collect this information to contact you with any follow-up questions. No, there is no self-registration available onsite for all Queensland National Parks. Get the monthly weather forecast for Los Angeles, CA, including daily high/low, historical averages, to help you plan ahead. The impermeability of this layer allows the water generated by Carnarvon Gorge's springs to remain close to, or above, the surface - a significant interplay in terms of the availability of water within the Gorge's ecosystems. This rainfall is typically spread over 2 days, although this may vary considerably. Greatest chance of Carnarvon Creek flooding. It is not advisable to traverse these tracks in wet weather as it can become extremely boggy and impassable. Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland.