Nature Trail
Central Highlands
Carnarvon National Park
Spot wildlife, including the ever-elusive platypus, on this family-friendly walk through bushland along Carnarvon Creek.
This moderately trafficked walk branches off the beginning of the Main Gorge Track (at the 100m mark) in Carnarvon National Park.
Immerse yourself in nature with this short stroll along the shady banks of Carnarvon Creek, with plenty of beautiful flora and fauna to be seen. The walk is best in the early morning or late afternoon when the wildlife is most active.
Find a quiet spot to sit on the banks and search for turtles and the ever-elusive platypus or grab your binoculars and spot many of the bird species found in the park.
The walk is one kilometre one-way, ending at the camping area at the far end of the car park for the visitor centre. For this reason, is it recommended to do this trail as a standalone walk or leave it until the return leg if doing as part of the Main Gorge Track.
Track: The track is a mostly flat, well-maintained graded path, with occasional steps and some rocky sections. There are large stepping-stones at each of the creek crossings. The track is well-signed and easy to follow.
Difficulty: The track is suitable for all fitness levels. The creek crossings typically have large stepping-stones, but these can be slippery and may present an issue for people with balance issues. The water depth at the creek crossings is usually only ankle deep, but the rocks under the water are often very slippery. Sturdy shoes with good grip and hiking poles are highly recommended.
Direction: This is a one-way track that starts and finishes at different points nearby each other (opposite ends of the car park for the visitor centre).
getting there
The trailhead is located near the Visitor Centre at the end of Carnarvon Gorge Road. The visitor centre is located 8.5 hours drive north-west of Brisbane, 7 hours drive west of Bundaberg and 3 hours north of Roma.
It is recommended to break up the drive to the park and consider the impact of fatigue on driving safety. Many of the roads leading to the park are rural roads prone to wildlife, especially at dawn and dusk.
Parking is ample at the Visitor Centre, however it can get busy during peak periods.
best time to go
The walk can be completed year-round. The area is prone to flooding after rain. Be sure to check the Queensland Parks website for updates regarding flooding and track closures.
Remember, whenever venturing into the outdoors, practice the Leave No Trace principles and be considerate of others. This means: dispose of your waste properly, don't remove things or move things from their natural position and respect all wildlife. Also be sure to plan ahead and adequately prepare for any adventure.
I respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which all activities listed on this website are found, as well as Elders past, present and emerging. I strive to not promote sites where requests have been made for people not to explore due to the cultural significance of the site to Indigenous peoples, or note how to respectfully visit a site. If I have a promoted a site with cultural significance, please send me a message and let me know.