Carnarvon Gorge National Park, encompassing some 251,000 hectares, is located 230km south of Emerald. Carnarvon Creek Gorge, famous for its dramatic bluffs, unique sandstone formations and lush tropical side gorges, is the central feature of this surprising corner of Central Queensland.

At the main camping ground situated on Kooramindanjie Plains, we set up camp amongst a grove of Macrozamia moorei (Zamia Palm) with their large poisonous seed cones that look like large pineapples, but, of course, are not related to them.

We set off on our walk along Carnarvon Creek with its many twists and turns, lined with Eucalyptus grandis (Flooded Gum), Livistona sp. Carnarvon Gorge (Cabbage Tree Palm) and occasional stands of Casuarina cunninghamiana (River Oak), Callistemon viminalis (Weeping Red Bottlebrush) and numerous Acacia species, always with a backdrop of vertical sandstone cliffs towering 200 metres above.

Our first stop was at Violet Gorge, with its beautiful moss gardens. A small waterfall and moisture seeping over a sheltered rock face keeps the walls and falling sandstone rocks dripping wet in contrast to the surrounding dry environment. The moisture supports a prolific, carpet-like growth of delicate ferns, mosses, liverworts and hornworts in the style of a formal garden.

We continued on to Pteris Ravine in Wards Canyon, a small gorge with an abundance of ferns and mosses and containing the magnificent Angiopteris evecta (Giant Fern). There are only a few specimens here in the ravine; so please take care of them, so that our children may enjoy them. The fronds of this giant fern can grow to over 5 metres long and the short woody trunk becomes massive, up to 1 metre diameter in old specimens. Hardy Platycerium veitchii (Silver Elkhorn) cling to rocks and zamia trunks. Dendrobium speciosum (King Orchid) and other small orchid species can be seen high on the side walls. Far in the back of the ravine, in an area called the Freezing Chamber, Aljon Falls are seen.

To finish our walk, we climbed a steep ladder and walked through a small gorge to enter into the Amphitheatre. Its majesty and sheltered habitat for ferns and mosses, such as Asplenium australasicum (Crows Nest Fern) and Cyathea australis (Rough Tree Fern), help create a still and eerie atmosphere.

From the first tinge of excitement at the sight of the Devils Signpost, south-west of Rewan Homestead, marking the entrance to Carnarvon Gorge, to standing triumphantly high above the Gorge on Battleship Spur, the pleasures never cease. The Park is open to the public every day. Admission is free. No domestic pets are allowed. Two camping areas are provided in the National Park. A camping fee is charged. Permits should be obtained in advance.

Access to Carnarvon Gorge National Park is via two routes. The first route is from Injune via Wyseby and Consuelo - a good bitumen road for 150km and fair to rough unsealed road for 75km. The second route is from Rolleston via Consuelo - good bitumen road for 20km and fair to rough unsealed road for 75km. This route is recommended for caravans. After rain the unsealed roads may become impassable.