16th June 2010 - Carnarvon Gorge NP

Distance walked: 17.5 kms

Today we explored the Carnarvon Gorge. We had breakfast at the Carnarvon Gorge resort a couple of kms from our campsite. They weren't very busy as there was only one other person there. After breakfast we rode our bikes to the Information Centre approx 4kms further down the track. The maps we had downloaded from the net were out of date as they have changed the route of the path that follows the Carnarvon river along the bottom of the gorge. We planned to climb to the Boolimba lookout from which you can see over the whole gorge. There were various estimates of how long it was from 2.8kms each way to 3.2kms. All I know was it was a bloody long way and a million steps. The girl serving breakfast told us it was 1000 steps. I reckon she was few short. We had to climb ladders over some sections and by the time we arrived at the lookout we were totally knackered. There was a group of school children from Brisbane at the lookout and a local guide was giving them a talk on the creation of the gorge and the various rock types etc. We were invited to sit and listen by their teacher so we collapsed on a bench hastily vacated by some of the kids. The view was absolutely stunning and because the sky was clear you could see for miles. After we struggled down to the main path we decided to check out some of the other sites along the track. I went to the Moss Gardens and Colin to the Amphitheatre. The Moss gardens were created by water continually seeping through the sandstone and trickling down the rock face. It was covered in bright green moss and the sunlight reflected on it enhancing the colours. There was a waterfall and pool nearby with all kinds of rainforest plants as a backdrop. I met Colin back at the turnoff for the Moss Garden and as we were both buggered we headed back to the information centre and the campsite. After a cup of tea boiled up on my stove we collapsed for a nana nap in our tents. In the evening we went to the Carnarvon Gorge resort for dinner. They had a good fire going so it was nice and warm. After dinner we resumed to the bar to watch NSW get flogged by Queensland in the second state of Orgasm. Colin took great interest in the game for an AFL supporter. Unfortunately we had to leave after the game and ride our bikes back to our cold tents.