Carnarvon Gorge
See it, know it, love it!
Australian Nature Guides
Carnarvon Gorge
We are Carnarvon Gorge's most experienced tour guides and information providers. It's our privilege to help our guests get to know and understand this special place. Let us help you plan and make the most of your stay!
Australian Nature Guides acknowledges the Bidjara and Karingbal people as Traditional Owners of Carnarvon Gorge. Their stewardship of, and connection to, this special place is reflected in the health of the Gorge's ecosystems and the significance of its cultural sites. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging and recognise their ongoing efforts on Country.
What can we help you with today?
ACCOMMODATION & TRAVEL PLANNER
How to get there, when to visit, and where to stay are the burning questions! Carnarvon Gorge is a remote destination but getting there has never been easier; it's sealed road all the way in. The cool, dry months in the middle of the year are peak times to visit if you plan to do all the walks, and whether you love roughing it or prefer to travel in style, you'll find something to suit your needs and budget.
You'll find more information for:
CARNARVON GORGE
GUIDED TOURS
See the Gorge through the eyes of a local. For over twenty years Australian Nature Guides has been the only dedicated guided tour company at Carnarvon Gorge. Guided walks are all we do, and you can see this reflected in our customer feedback. For example, our TripAdvisor reviews.
You'll find more information for:
If walking is not your strong suit, or Australian Nature Guides don't have availability for your dates, you're in luck. CQ Tours run tagalong tours on nearby Nyanda Station as well as tours into Carnarvon Gorge.
CARNARVON GORGE
WALKS
Carnarvon Gorge has over twenty kilometres of track, visiting 12 major sites. There are easy strolls like the Nature Trail, which follows Carnarvon Creek for around 1km, strenuous climbs, like the 14km climb to Battleship Spur, and everything in between. Use the following link for detailed information on Carnarvon Gorge walks and how to use them wisely. You'll find maps, summaries of what's at each site, track grades, distances and suggested itineraries.
Carnarvon Gorge's walking tracks are susceptible to wet weather and bushfires. Keep up to date with current events at Carnarvon Gorge Park Alerts.
Why visit Carnarvon Gorge?
In 1932, Carnarvon Gorge became a National Park because of its scenic value, geological history, and cultural heritage. Today, with over 20km of walking tracks the experience goes well beyond these three key themes.
The diversity of sites along the track system is unparalleled. You'll discover important Karingbal and Bidjara cultural sites, cattle duffing and bush-ranger history, unique geological formations, remnant rainforest patches, and spring-fed waterfalls. Your choice of walks range from short, easy trails to difficult, remote tracks. There's something to suit (nearly) everyone's abilities.y
Natural Values
The images of Carnarvon Gorge both speak for themselves and fail to do the place justice. This is a truly stunning landscape whose magnitude can't be captured on film. Cliffs disappearing into the distance... rare palms swaying next to spring-fed creeks... waterfalls tucked inside narrow canyons.. gliders soaring through the forest at night. The list of highlights goes on but you really should come and make one of your own.
You can find more information on...
Geological Values
From vantage points like Boolimba Bluff or Sandstone Park you can see over 240 million years of geological history laid bare. Look down to the base of the Gorge and find evidence of massive tectonic forces that created mountain ranges. Gaze across to clifflines laid down during dinosaur times. Then look up to the tablelands created when lava leveled the landscape 30 million years ago.
Here you'll find a summary of the geology of Carnarvon Gorge.
Cultural Values
Karingbal and Bidjara people recognised the significance of Carnarvon Gorge millenia ago. Today, we are privileged to be able to visit several important ceremonial sites. The craftsmanship involved in creating some of the more intricate stencils is the best in the world. European presence in the district lead to some colourful history. Cattle duffers and bush-rangers used the high country for nefarious purposes and, believe it or not, Carnarvon Gorge was also used for grazing!
Why walk with Australian Nature Guides?
EXPERIENCE
Simon has been guiding in Carnarvon Gorge for over 25 years and is currently researching patterns of biodiversity there for a PhD. Few can match the depth of knowledge he has accumulated on the natural and human histories of the Gorge, which adds an extra dimension to Australian Nature Guides' tours.
Michelle has guided in a diverse range of locations, including Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Kakadu, and Kangaroo Island. She has also worked as an outdoor educator taking high school students on multi-day bushwalks and canoe trips in her home state, Victoria.
KNOWLEDGE
Believe it or not, both Simon and Michelle began their careers as hospitality professionals. They have both since attended university as mature-aged students. Michelle earned her two Bachelor's Degrees, one in Nature Tourism and another in Outdoor Education, at La Trobe University, Bendigo.
Simon trained as an ecologist and earned a M. Sc. from the University of Georgia, U.S.A., researching sustainability education. Currently, he's working towards a PhD with the University of New England.
PASSION
We have chosen to make Carnarvon Gorge our home (and workplace) for 6-7 months a year. You'll see our passion for this amazing landscape shine through on every tour, and you might get bitten by the same bug yourself along the way.
Our passion for our craft is evident in our accreditation as Senior Savannah Guides and as a Savannah Guides Enterprise. At least once a season, we attend professional development schools that hone our skills and improve our tours... for you.