I thought I would get some more opinions/ideas john (Rockylizard).
I am planning a trip in April/May 2012 for six weeks from Wonthaggi to Townsville, Via Dubbo on way up and would like to check out Carnarvon Gorge in Q'land it will be mid April. I only have a Ford sedan and Avan camper so no off road stuff for this little black ducky. Will the ford be ok? I will stay in a caravan park for 2 nights close by somwhere and drive in for the day. Thanks for your comments already John elswhere in this forum
rockylizard said
02:42 PM Nov 20, 2011
Gday...
I think I have said this before but happy to repeat .... a friend with a Falcon wagon and single axle 17ft van went into Carnarvon Gorge Nat Pk the week before I went there and they stayed at the Takarakka Resort. He had no problems at all. However, if there has been rain then ring Takarakka (or Nat Pk mob) before you head in.
I left my big 'black-top' van at Rolleston van park which is the nearest (cheap and OK) and drove in for the day - 110km each way. Good highway though.
Road into Park is 20km of good seal followed by 20km of unsealed but good road. A couple of creek crossings with OK entry/exit and ankle deep water when I was there - again, check if it has been raining in the day/s prior to your visit.
Hope that is helpful.
Cheers
John
ozi2 said
03:05 PM Nov 20, 2011
rockylizard wrote:
Gday...
I think I have said this before but happy to repeat .... a friend with a Falcon wagon and single axle 17ft van went into Carnarvon Gorge Nat Pk the week before I went there and they stayed at the Takarakka Resort. He had no problems at all. However, if there has been rain then ring Takarakka (or Nat Pk mob) before you head in.
I left my big 'black-top' van at Rolleston van park which is the nearest (cheap and OK) and drove in for the day - 110km each way. Good highway though.
Road into Park is 20km of good seal followed by 20km of unsealed but good road. A couple of creek crossings with OK entry/exit and ankle deep water when I was there - again, check if it has been raining in the day/s prior to your visit.
Hope that is helpful.
Cheers
John
Hi Doug, ditto Rocky lizards comments, especially if rain forecast, otherwise no problems.
Wandering stock and wildlife should be noted and care taken at ALL TIMES as no fences over large area;s leading to Carnovon from Roma etc.
It's a great place.
cheers
ozi2
wendyv said
04:21 PM Nov 20, 2011
As long as there has been no rain, you should get your rig into Takarakka ok. If there has been rain, or if it is forecast, best not to try it. The dirt section gets slick really quickly, and thus is quickly closed.
rastas said
05:25 PM Nov 20, 2011
Doug I agree with rockylizard totally. Okay if there has been no rain. If you go you will not be disappointed.
regards Rastas
Geoff n Jen said
05:36 PM Nov 20, 2011
We have camped there twice owned a Ford falcon when we did that trip no worries about the road - we did nearly get flooded in the last time but made it out without incident.
Only going in for 1 day??? you could easily be absorbed in the place for a week. Some of the most amazing unexpected finds at the end of some of the walks. The moss gardens is like a fridge on a hot day so might be a chilly time to visit. The Cathedral walk has to be done, you think it is going to end at an impassible rock ridge and then there is the surprise.
Take your van up if you have time only cold showers were there when we went I think it's still the same. Don't leave food outside at any time or the Roo's will fight you for your loaf of bread And a possom chewed through the fly wire to get some too. Platypus to be seen in the creek at the camp and they did bush movies. Areally great spot you will love it.
animalcarer said
06:25 PM Nov 20, 2011
Also if walking wear boots with those canvas thingees as the leeches are very thirsty.
ozjohn said
03:01 PM Nov 21, 2011
I was under the impression the question was directed to Rockylizard. OJ
rockylizard said
03:23 PM Nov 21, 2011
Gday...
s'OK ozjohn ... ... I didn't think of it as that...... and the more opinions the less chance of something important being overlooked 'praps - or misleading mebbe.
Cheers
John
jimricho said
06:36 PM Nov 21, 2011
ozjohn wrote:
I was under the impression the question was directed to Rockylizard. OJ
I would have thought that putting a question on the forum would be an invitation for anyone to contribute.
Dougwe said
07:20 PM Nov 21, 2011
It is a invitation for anyone to contribute Jim, I was just letting John know as we had discussed Carnarvon Gorge elsewhere in "Grey Nomads". I didn't want to offend John by asking for more advice or suggestions. More the better so to speak. You are more than welcome Jim and I await your suggestions or advice.
jimricho said
07:34 PM Nov 21, 2011
I had little doubt that that was your intention and is what prompted my response to Ozjohn.
It's several years since I was at Carnarvon Gorge so I'm too far out of date to be much help there.
It's also several years since I travelled between Emerald and Charters Towers but it's my understanding that the remaining sections of single lane bitumen north of the Cape River have since been replaced. If that is the case it would be the best way to get from CG to Townsville.
Other members have spoken well of the free camping at the Nindigully Pub between Mungindi and St George.
Should be a great trip,
Jim
Dougwe said
07:52 PM Nov 21, 2011
Thanks Jim, I am actually going from CG area across to Mackay first them up to Townsville. I am meeting some friends in Mackay for 2 days. I will see them on my way back down the coast a few weeks later. Thanks for all the other advice and contributions from everyone else. I have actually found a website for cg and will ring the info centre closer to time.
jimricho said
08:06 PM Nov 21, 2011
I stay at the Big Sky Caravan Park a Narrabri when I pass that way. It's a council park but well run with spotless amenities and drive through sites. It's located right in town, a short walk to the RSL where there is an excellent restaurant that's "a cut above" your average club bistro. Narrabri is an RV friendly town both officially and in reality.
I have done a "drive past" of the parks in Mackay and was not impressed with any of them. The campground at Seaforth 40k north is very nice but does not have powered sites. As you have friends there you probably have the accommodation issue covered.
-- Edited by jimricho on Monday 21st of November 2011 08:11:23 PM
Dougwe said
10:38 AM Nov 25, 2011
Thanks Jim, I'm not sure if they have booked anything yet as they don't live there they are travelling and we are meeting up there. I will let them know about Narrabri, a recommendation is always the best way to go.
Hi all,
I thought I would get some more opinions/ideas john (Rockylizard).
I am planning a trip in April/May 2012 for six weeks from Wonthaggi to Townsville, Via Dubbo on way up and would like to check out Carnarvon Gorge in Q'land it will be mid April. I only have a Ford sedan and Avan camper so no off road stuff for this little black ducky. Will the ford be ok? I will stay in a caravan park for 2 nights close by somwhere and drive in for the day. Thanks for your comments already John elswhere in this forum
Gday...
I think I have said this before but happy to repeat .... a friend with a Falcon wagon and single axle 17ft van went into Carnarvon Gorge Nat Pk the week before I went there and they stayed at the Takarakka Resort. He had no problems at all. However, if there has been rain then ring Takarakka (or Nat Pk mob) before you head in.
I left my big 'black-top' van at Rolleston van park which is the nearest (cheap and OK) and drove in for the day - 110km each way. Good highway though.
Road into Park is 20km of good seal followed by 20km of unsealed but good road. A couple of creek crossings with OK entry/exit and ankle deep water when I was there - again, check if it has been raining in the day/s prior to your visit.
Hope that is helpful.
Cheers
John
Hi Doug, ditto Rocky lizards comments, especially if rain forecast, otherwise no problems.
Wandering stock and wildlife should be noted and care taken at ALL TIMES as no fences over large area;s leading to Carnovon from Roma etc.
It's a great place.
cheers
ozi2
I agree with rockylizard totally. Okay if there has been no rain. If you go you will not be disappointed.
regards Rastas
We have camped there twice owned a Ford falcon when we did that trip no worries about the road - we did nearly get flooded in the last time but made it out without incident.
Only going in for 1 day??? you could easily be absorbed in the place for a week. Some of the most amazing unexpected finds at the end of some of the walks. The moss gardens is like a fridge on a hot day so might be a chilly time to visit. The Cathedral walk has to be done, you think it is going to end at an impassible rock ridge and then there is the surprise.
Take your van up if you have time only cold showers were there when we went I think it's still the same. Don't leave food outside at any time or the Roo's will fight you for your loaf of bread
And a possom chewed through the fly wire to get some too. Platypus to be seen in the creek at the camp and they did bush movies. Areally great spot you will love it.
I was under the impression the question was directed to Rockylizard.
OJ
Gday...
s'OK ozjohn ...
... I didn't think of it as that...... and the more opinions the less chance of something important being overlooked 'praps - or misleading mebbe.
Cheers
John
I would have thought that putting a question on the forum would be an invitation for anyone to contribute.
It is a invitation for anyone to contribute Jim, I was just letting John know as we had discussed Carnarvon Gorge elsewhere in "Grey Nomads". I didn't want to offend John by asking for more advice or suggestions. More the better so to speak. You are more than welcome Jim and I await your suggestions or advice.
It's several years since I was at Carnarvon Gorge so I'm too far out of date to be much help there.
It's also several years since I travelled between Emerald and Charters Towers but it's my understanding that the remaining sections of single lane bitumen north of the Cape River have since been replaced. If that is the case it would be the best way to get from CG to Townsville.
Other members have spoken well of the free camping at the Nindigully Pub between Mungindi and St George.
Should be a great trip,
Jim
Thanks Jim, I am actually going from CG area across to Mackay first them up to Townsville. I am meeting some friends in Mackay for 2 days. I will see them on my way back down the coast a few weeks later. Thanks for all the other advice and contributions from everyone else. I have actually found a website for cg and will ring the info centre closer to time.
I stay at the Big Sky Caravan Park a Narrabri when I pass that way. It's a council park but well run with spotless amenities and drive through sites. It's located right in town, a short walk to the RSL where there is an excellent restaurant that's "a cut above" your average club bistro. Narrabri is an RV friendly town both officially and in reality.
I have done a "drive past" of the parks in Mackay and was not impressed with any of them. The campground at Seaforth 40k north is very nice but does not have powered sites. As you have friends there you probably have the accommodation issue covered.
-- Edited by jimricho on Monday 21st of November 2011 08:11:23 PM
Thanks Jim, I'm not sure if they have booked anything yet as they don't live there they are travelling and we are meeting up there. I will let them know about Narrabri, a recommendation is always the best way to go.