Big Bend to Gadd's

Starting from the Big Bend walkers’ camp, Carnarvon Park, this walk takes you to the Gadd’s campsite via the second section of the 87 km Carnarvon Great Walk, visiting the Battleship Spur along the way. The humongous meandering gorge looks absolutely captivating from the 1000-metre-high Battleship Spur, as it was carved out by some mighty being. As you ascend from Big Bend campsite along Boowinda Gorge, the relatively narrow Boowinda Gorge will show you its picturesque sandstone walls. The rays of sunlight hitting the walls at different angles make them look even better. The Gadd’s campsite is located near an old stockyard and only features a shelter. Keep in mind that you’ll need a permit to access Carnarvon Park and the campsites. This walk is closed from the 1st of November to the last day of February. Bring some insect repellent to protect yourself from the mozzies(Australian slang for mosquitoes) and wear shoes that support your ankles. Let us begin by acknowledging the Bidjara & Karingbal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Warning
This journey requires significant bushwalking experience, specialised equipment and navigation skills.
Please ensure you and your group well prepared and equiped for this journey.

Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Segment	This is part of longer journey and can not be completed on it is own.
Full Journey	Carnarvon Great Walk
Start	(-25.0336264,148.1708198)
Finish	(-25.0252568,148.0700799)
Mode (end)

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From Big Bend walkers’ camp (in Carnarvon Gorge), head downstream along Carnarvon Creek via the Big Bend Walk track. After about 430 metres, turn right and head into the Boowinda Gorge to continue along Big Bend walkers’ camp to Gadd's walkers’ camp Track.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start heading along Big Bend Walk. There is a toilet (about 75 m back from the start). Big Bend walkers' camp (about 20 m back from the start). W:parks.des.qld.gov.au There is a fee to use this campsite. After 85 m cross the ford. After another 290 m cross the ford.
	After another 70 m (at the intersection of Boowinda Gorge & Carnarvon Great Walk) turn right, to head along Carnarvon Great Walk (a highway\|).
	After another 1.1 km (at the intersection of Boowinda Gorge & Carnarvon Great Walk) continue straight, to head along Carnarvon Great Walk. After another 2.2 km head up the metal steps (about 7 m long)
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This little side trip takes you to the Battleship Spur where you can view the Carnarvon Gorge in all its glory. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 670 m veer left, to head along Carnarvon Great Walk.
	After another 9.5 km come to "Gadd's walkers' camp". W:parks.des.qld.gov.au About 45 m past the end is a toilet. The end.

This little side trip takes you to the Battleship Spur where you can view the Carnarvon Gorge in all its glory.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 255 m pass the "Battleship Spur" (10 m on your left).
	After another 40 m come to the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 295 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Big Bend to Gadd's

Grading

	Class 5/6 Very challenging
Length	14 km
Time	5 h 30 min to 7 h

Quality of track	Rough unclear track (5/6)
Gradient	Very steep and difficult rock scrambles (5/6)
Signage	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather	Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Some facilities on route

Camp site: There are 2 on route, on average they are 4.7 km apart with the largest gap of 14 km.

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 4.7 km apart with the largest gap of 14 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	-76 m	[toilet]
Camp site	-20 m	Big Bend walkers' camp
Toilet	14 km	[toilet]
Camp site	14 km	Gadd's walkers' camp

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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Rolleston Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon
  
  Tuesday 5 November
  
  37°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower about the Carnarvon Ranges in the afternoon and evening. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm in the southeast from the late morning. Light winds becoming east to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the early afternoon then tending north to northeasterly in the evening. Daytime maximum temperatures in the mid to high 30s.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: High
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 7:50am to 3:50pm, UV Index predicted to reach 12 [Extreme]
  
  Wednesday 6 November
  
  20°C → 37°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower about the Carnarvon Ranges in the afternoon. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm in the southeast. Winds north to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h tending east to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the early afternoon then tending north to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 17 and 20 with daytime temperatures reaching the mid to high 30s.
  
  Thursday 7 November
  
  20°C → 38°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Winds north to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 18 and 21 with daytime temperatures reaching the high 30s.
  
  Friday 8 November
  
  21°C → 39°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower about the Carnarvon Ranges in the morning and afternoon. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm in the south in the afternoon and evening. Winds northwest to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h tending northwest to southwesterly during the afternoon then tending northwest to northeasterly during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 19 and 22 with daytime temperatures reaching around 40.
  
  Saturday 9 November
  
  22°C → 39°C
  Mostly sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny.
  
  Sunday 10 November
  
  21°C → 36°C
  Sunny.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Sunny.
  
  Monday 11 November
  
  21°C → 35°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Carnarvon National Park alerts
  Big Bend closed due to structural damage (update 3 Oct)
  Big Bend is closed due to structural damage to the toilet block. Affected parks: Carnarvon Great Walk; Carnarvon Gorge, Carnarvon National Park
  
  Alert kindly provided by © Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service

Weather Forecast

Alerts