Solo Carnarvon Gorge Great Walk 6 days wilderness hiking

Join me on Patreon:   / kategrarock   or please consider becoming a channel Member:    / @kategrarock   Carnarvon Gorge National Park is one of the most scenic places in Australia with crystal clear rivers, amazing Aboriginal art and history, waterfalls, epic diversity of wildlife and five species of gliding possum. Traditionally this hike is 6 days. I did an extension off-track up the gorge for one day and completed the hike in 6 days, combining a couple of days. The National Parks description is so accurate: “Unforgettable journey deep into a spectacular steep-sided gorge, where towering white white sandstone cliffs envelop a creek-side oasis. Let every and turn of boulder-strewn Carnarvon creek revel a splendid scent, new plant or amazing animal. Venture deep into cool, lush side-gorges, their subtly-coloured walls carved by water and time. Awaken your senses and nurture your spirit discovering the wealth of culture and natural treasures of this very special park.” Driving to the Gorge you truely get a feel for the isolation and the true oasis that Carnarvon Gorge is. The gorge was some of the best hiking i have ever done. It was simply breathtaking. Walking though the gorge, every bend in the river brings something new, from spectacular cliffs and amphitheatres, amazing Aboriginal artwork and ancient ferns that survive deep in wet gorges. I was simply mesmerised. Day 2 i went off track and hiked further up the gorge - this was really beautiful and it was fun to explore each bend. It was hard to call an end to the day and turn back to Big Bend, I just wanted to keep going. Day 3 I was back on the formal trail. This day was amazing too, as you climb out of the Gorge and get the most spectacular view of the full gorge from Battleship spur. This day you also get to appreciate 'the roof of Queensland' as you climb out to the very dry savanna and basalt lands at over 1100 meters elevation. Day 4 is more dry dusty hiking, but the bird diversity is mind boggling with Noisy Friarbirds almost deafening and the change in vegetation keeping things interesting. Day 5 you enter the Mahogany Forest, in contrast to the the dry grasslands, the tall trees make you feel tiny. The birds let you know that the vegetation has changed and I felt so happy in the cool shade and air. I reached the formal campsite early and continued on to the next campsite. Day 6 was once again mind-blowing as you reach epic cliffs that look over what feels like the whole of Queensland. Sunrise here is simply magic. You follow this cliff line and the terrain is so spectacular. The drop down and ladders through steep cliffs, back to the visitors centre is also spectacular. Walk date: September 2017 Location: 8 hour drive (720km) north west of Brisbane, Queensland. Roads may be impassable after rain. Distance: 87 kmType: loop/circuit walk Days: 6-7 National park rating: up to grade 5 – ‘Very experienced bushwalkers’ Requires high level of physical fitness. Considerable exposure to the elements may be experienced. Who’s it for: I agree with this rating, while the track is relatively easy to follow it is a very physically challenging due to the elevation change and hot weather. When: best April to September (the walk is closed November to February) Permit/cost: Camping permits must be booked online (https://qpws.usedirect.com/qpws/) for about $7 per person per night (only 6 people are allowed at each campsite, max 2 night stay per campsite). Best bits: the spectacular gorge on day 1, 2 and 6 Worst bits: the long dry days after leaving the gorge Tip: I extended my hike spending an extra day exploring the gorge. Views back into the gorge are possible on days 3-5 with some off track navigation (I hope they formalise a couple of side tracks to do this). The Aboriginal people have used this area for over 19,500 years. The Great Rainbow Serpent creating this area - carving the winding bed of the gorge. The trail leads past ceremonial sites with stencilled rock imagery that is some of the finest of its type in the world I acknowledge the Bidjara and Karingbal People, Traditional Custodians of this land, I pay my respect to Elders past and present. Thanks for watching. If you enjoyed this video please like, subscribe and leave a comment. For details on my hiking gear: http://www.kategrarock.com Contact information Personal website: http://www.kategrarock.com/ Instagram:   / kategrarock   twitter:   / kategrarock   Music My Fathers Hands - by Joshua Wellington