Injune to Big Bend Campground (Carnarvon Great Walk Trip)

 https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/carnarvon-gorge

Sunday 10 September 2023

Day 1 Carnarvon Great Walk

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/carnarvon-great-walk/walking

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0026/164159/carnarvongw-topo.pdf

Today began with an approximately two hour drive to Carnarvon National Park – Carnarvon Gorge Section. 

We stopped at the site of a WW2 US Airforce Dakota remains and then headed into the National Park to begin our adventure. 

https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/ww2/display/101310-dakota-c-47-air-crash-memorial

Driving toward the National Park we could see the plateau rising above the surrounding plains.

It was a short walk today along the Main Gorge track out to Big Bend camping area.  

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/carnarvon-gorge/journeys/main-gorge-track

As we have previously explored all the side trips on this, we chose only to revisit the Art Gallery and leave all the other side trips. 

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/carnarvon-gorge/journeys/art-gallery-walk

There are 17 creek crossings – I was very glad I had a hiking pole to help me adjust my balance as I was not yet accustomed to the altered centre of gravity the pack created.  I spent the late afternoon exploring around Big Bend and enjoying the changing light on the towering cliffs above us.

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/carnarvon-great-walk/camping/big-bend-walkers

10.72km, 3 hours 38 minutes, 384m ascent