IT HAS the kind of spectacular views you see on postcards. Sheer sandstone cliff faces jut towards the sky. Canyons are narrow and shadowed. Endless flowing springs and crystal clear pools support glorious palm trees, lush rainforests, towering gum trees and ancient cycads.
The Carnarvon Gorge National Park is one of Australia’s premier national parks. It has world famous aboriginal rock art sites, many Australian bird species, wildlife ranging from platypus, kangaroos, gliding possums and echidnas. Some people just come to stroll the easy walking tracks or sit and relax, to be surrounded by the peace and beauty of the Australian bush.
Whatever the reason people come to Carnarvon, they always leave uplifted by the experience - and vowing to return.
It’s truly a place of peace and tranquillity. A big part of the Carnarvon experience is your stay at Takarakka Bush Resort. Nestled on a picturesque bend in the Carnarvon Creek, and just 4km from the mouth of the gorge, Takarakka is your temporary home as you explore, wander and relax. With its cycad forests, platypus viewing pool, natural swimming hole and ridge lookout, Takarakka is a perfect natural complement to your national park visit.
There is a well stocked souvenir and grocery shop and spotlessly clean amenities. With canvas cabins, motor home sites, powered sites and camping, there is a place for everyone.
Superb camp kitchens, complete with free barbecues, gas stovetops and washing up facilities make meal times a chance to meet others and share the day’s adventures. After dinner you can learn about the wonders of Carnarvon Gorge during a slide presentation or relax around the campfire with a glass of wine - a fitting end for a day in paradise.
To enhance your Carnarvon experience, guided eco-tours by Australian nature guides will give you a deeper understanding of this unique location, bringing every aspect of the gorge to life.
Carnarvon Gorge is reached by conventional vehicle most of the year (caution required in wet weather). It is a comfortable three-hour drive from either Roma (from the south) or Emerald (from the north). The road is fully sealed except the final 20km which is a maintained gravel road. Managers Bill and Vicki Williams recommend that you plan to stay for three days to make the most of your visit.
