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Gorges & Highlands
Get a feel for the real rural Australian life with a visit to Capricorn’s Central Highlands, west of Rockhampton. The Central Highlands are home to vast and diverse agricultural and mining operations as well as some of Queensland’s most dramatic natural landscapes.
A slice of heaven within mining and cattle country, the Capricorn Region boasts sprawling national parks with towering escarpments and gorges, rainforest and waterfalls. Take your time wandering the region’s marvel, Carnarvon Gorge.
Visit Blackdown Tableland National Park, just half an hour drive off the Capricorn Highway and discover immense sandstone gorges and sweeping views of the endless plains around the park.
The Central Highlands are ideal for a touring holiday. Travel west from Rockhampton along the Capricorn Highway and you will come across some original outback frontier towns, like Alpha, where each street is named after a famous poet or Dingo where you can learn the unusual skill of dingo trap throwing.
The town of Emerald is the hub of the Central Highlands and is the gateway to the Sapphire Gemfields. Here the whole family can fossick in the largest commercial sapphire fields in the Southern Hemisphere - who knows what treasure you might dig up!
Springsure
Traveling south from Emerald will lead you to Springsure. A charming country town that sits in a valley of spectacular mountain ranges with the famous Virgin Rock as a backdrop.This naturally formed likeness to the Virgin Mary and Child is situated 4km north of Springsure on the eastern side of Mt Zamia. The name of the town originated from the permanent springs in the creek and gullies of the surrounding area. The early lifeblood for Springsure were the many wagon teams who camped in the area as they journeyed from Rockhampton to the Gulf and Barcoo country. A cutting in the naturally formed Staircase Range was built by Chinese labour in 1905 as a tribute to these wagon trails. Of interest is the Old Rainworth Fort, which was constructed in 1862 of basalt blocks and corrugated iron, as protection against aboriginal attack, Other key places of interest around the town are, Rich Park Historical Complex, koala sanctuary and the old heritage-listed hospital.
Rolleston
Rolleston is the last stop before entering Carnarvon Gorge from the north. Remember to re-fuel before entering the National Park. The township of Rolleston was famous for the notorious Kenniff Brothers, the last of the legendary Queensland bushrangers. Rolleston is also the closest town to Lake Nuga Nuga, a magical spot for fishing and birdwatching enthusiasts. The boundary rider's hut from 'Purbook' has been resited and restored at Beazley Park as a memorial to the area's pioneers.
Carnarvon Gorge
The incredible Carnarvon Gorge National Park, hidden in the rugged ranges of Capricorn’s Central Highlands, is a wonderland of rainforest, creeks and cliffs and should be number one on your list of secret spots to visit in Australia. Whether you visit Carnarvon because of its geological appeal, its rare and ancient indigenous rock art or for its delightful walking tracks, you will surely be struck by its magnificence and grandeur.
With Carnarvon Creek meandering through the length of the soft sandstone gorge, Carnarvon Gorge is a paradise for walkers. The marvelous narrow sided gorges, cliffs, moss gardens, Aboriginal rock art sites and glorious and abundant plant and bird life are in start contrast to the surrounding brigalow country. The Gorge is a great place to see wildlife, with over 173 bird species inhabiting or visiting the park. Enjoy birdwatching and at night - use a torch to spot native sugar glider possums and bush-stone curlews. Keep an eye out for other native animals such as the elusive platypus, kangaroos, king parrots and fig-birds. Wander amongst soaring palms, cycads and she-oaks and you can’t help but feel a calming of the mind and soul.
Carnarvon Gorge is a place that you can explore over an extended period of time or at short intervals. We recommend you allow least three days to walk the 27km of graded tracks and to explore the side gorges and Aboriginal art sites.
Learn about the area’s significance to the Aboriginal people by taking the 500m self-guided walk to Baloon Cave or a half-day walk to the impressive Art Gallery. Discover ancient Aboriginal stencilling, engraving and freehand paintings dating back tens of thousands of years, concealed within the towering sandstone escarpments.
