Carnarvon Gorge

[HunterTodd]

Hello all,   dunno if this is the right place for this.  (Someone will tell me I am sure.). However can anyone who might know please advise me if the road into Carnarvon Gorge is suitable for a loaded ST1300.  (The bike is loaded not me BTW)
Thanks for any assistance.

[alans1100]

It looks like the last 13/14 km is a dirt road.

https://goo.gl/maps/fqSsr8dw8st

[spanner]

I went there a year ago .

the dirt road was really good and clean. When I was there there were two bikes with trailers. 1 was a BMW and the other I cant remember. Both were definitely sports tourers and not adventure style so I don't think you should have too many problems.

Just obviously take it easy.

[Biggles]

I drove in there last year, and it was corrugated, so it's the luck of the draw regarding timing.
It's no more than 13 kays.  If you take it easy, it'll be OK even if it's corrugated- but it's not as much fun when it is, that's for sure.

[West Aussie Glen]

Stay well away from it if it even looks like rain.

[tj189]

What Glen said 

[Sabie]

Loose gravel, red in places.

[HunterTodd]

Thanks all. If I could pick the collective grey matter a bit further.

I am planning a trip into central west qld.  Going from Hunter up through Moree to Carnarvon Gorge.

Pencilled in the Gorge, stockman's hall of fame, dinosaur sites around Winton, then heading up through Hughenden to Undara lava tubes and onto the tablelands. Back down the coast. Where I drop my girl off in Kyogle and head home.

Are there any other cool places to see in that vicinity?

My girl rides an XVS650 and while she often does big miles to see me. (Shes a gem isn't she?)  we would prefer a more relaxed schedule. Suggestions would be appreciated.

[Sabie]

Porcupine Gorge north of Hughenden is worth a look, and fletcher creek north of Charters Towers is worth an overnight if your camping other wise a nice rest break.

[Philbo]

After you leave Injune on the way to Carnarvon Gorge, about 30km out there is a turn off to the right for the Arcadia Valley.  About 10km in you come to the top of the escarpment overlooking the valley.  There is a lookout.  Well worth the side trip for the view.  Was a dirt road in the 1980s, and probably still is.  Carnarvon Gorge is magic.  Spend a week there if you can,
Phil

[Sabie]

http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/porcupine-gorge/pdf/overlanders-way-map.pdf

http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/porcupine-gorge/pdf/porcupine-gorge-np-map.pdf

http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/porcupine-gorge/pdf/pyramid-campground-map.pdf

http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/pdf/townsville-region-vg.pdf

[Gadget]

Kyogle is my home town.

[Farkleit]

i have just spent the last 6 months going to Carnarvon Gorge while we built the visitor center.
there is 17klm of dirt with many big rocks and very lose surface, 3 creek crossings, and very exspensive to stay, there are 2 options Tarakka camping  and The Logde which closes from nov to feb i think. 200+per night, exspensive meals. if traveling from Roma its 2.5hours, last fuel available at Injune 1.5hours from the gorge, or the other side is Rolleston about 90klm.
best u drive.
only time you can camp in the National park is at school holidays, to check 07 49844505
ps its a total of 43 klm from the turnoff and there are also about 5cattle grids, cows roam freely all the time

[Biggles]

I'd have to agree about the road being dodgy for touring bikes.
We stayed at the Takarakka site in one of the expensive studios, but they have permanent ensuited Taka Safari Tents for $135 per night.
I was surprised to read you can only camp in school holidays.  There doesn't seem to be any limitation on bookings for the cabins or Safari tents.
We were there back in June, and saw the building works going on at the Visitors' Centre when were were to-and-fro on our walks up the gorge.
Can confidently recommend it for a visit, but take your "multi-strada".

[Farkleit]

Takarakka is outside the national park, thats why the rules are different.
you can camp up close to the visitor center but only during school holidays and this is booked with the park rangers.
i can recomend the Moss Gardens and Bloomers bluff, but its best to be up there for sunrise.  bloody awesome views.

[Biggles]

Takarakka is outside the national park, thats why the rules are different.
you can camp up close to the visitor center but only during school holidays and this is booked with the park rangers.
i can recomend the Moss Gardens and Bloomers bluff, but its best to be up there for sunrise.  bloody awesome views.

Yep.  Saw all that open camping area with toilets and BBQs.  Plenty of tame roos there.
We were very impressed by the Amphitheatre as well.  I went up the Warrumbah Gorge and found it to be quite spectacular.
Let's face it, all of its features are worth a visit, but you need a week to do the lot comfortably.  A fit person could probably run through it all in three days.

[HunterTodd]

Hi all.  Just a postscript. Left Carnarvon Gorge this morning. Trip well worth it.  Stayed at Takarakka, nice spot except for the bloody generator. Shattered the ambience somewhat! My verdict on the road in is that with due care it is fine in dry conditions. My lady is a p plater on a 650 v star and she rode it well despite being heavily loaded.  Take it easy and dont be a hero and i would be very surprised if an ozstocer had any trouble.
Take care.

[Biggles]

Hi all.  Just a postscript. Left Carnarvon Gorge this morning. Trip well worth it.  Stayed at Takarakka, nice spot except for the bloody generator. Shattered the ambience somewhat! My verdict on the road in is that with due care it is fine in dry conditions. My lady is a p plater on a 650 v star and she rode it well despite being heavily loaded.  Take it easy and dont be a hero and i would be very surprised if an ozstocer had any trouble.
Take care.

Like all gravel roads, you take what you get on the day.  If it's recently graded, it's not much different to bitumen.
But if it's deeply corrugated, it will shake the bulbs out of your headlights.

Glad you liked the camping area.  Too bad you were too close to the generator.