Gadd’s to West Branch

Starting from Gadd’s walkers’ camp, Carnarvon Park, this walk takes you to the West Branch campsite via the third section of the 87 km Carnarvon Great Walk, crossing multiple creeks (usually dry) along the way. Don’t forget to look back at the stunning gorge as you traverse the sandy & arid lands of Carnarvon Park. Although the area is usually hot & dry, you may find yourself amidst a surprisingly green environment after decent rainfall. Look behind the hills to see Mount Moffatt, standing out with its basalt top. Both the Gadd’s campsite and the West Branch campsite have toilets and water (needs to be treated). Keep in mind that you’ll need a permit to access Carnarvon Park and the said 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). 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	(-25.0252568,148.0700799)
Finish	(-24.9732063,148.0121629)
Mode (end)

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From Gadd’s walkers’ camp, head northwest along the singular dirt track, keeping the creek to your left. About 200 metres later, make a perpendicular right turn to continue along Gadd’s to West Branch Track.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. There is a toilet (about 45 m back from the start). Find the Gadd's walkers' camp at the start. W:parks.des.qld.gov.au
	After another 185 m turn right. After another 2.1 km cross the ford.
	After another 5.1 km turn left.
	After another 8 km continue straight.
	After another 1 km continue straight. After another 20 m cross the ford. After another 65 m come to the "West Branch walkers' camp" (6 m on your left). W:parks.des.qld.gov.au There is a fee to use this campsite.
	After another 60 m veer left. After another 140 m come to a toilet. About 55 m past the end is "West Branch camping area". W:parks.des.qld.gov.au There is a fee to use this campsite.
	The end.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Gadd’s to West Branch

Grading

	Class 5/6 Very challenging
Length	16.7 km
Time	5 h to 6 h 30 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Very steep and difficult rock scrambles (5/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route

Camp site: There are 3 on route, on average they are 4.2 km apart with the largest gap of 16.5 km.

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 5.6 km apart with the largest gap of 16.7 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	-46 m	[toilet]
Camp site	5 m	Gadd's walkers' camp
Camp site	16.5 km	West Branch walkers' camp
Toilet	16.7 km	[toilet]
Camp site	16.7 km	West Branch camping area

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track
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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Rolleston Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
  
  Sunday 3 November
  
  Clear.
  
  Clear. Winds northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h.
  
  Monday 4 November
  
  18°C → 35°C
  Mostly sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Winds north to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h tending east to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day then tending north to northeasterly in the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 16 and 19 with daytime temperatures reaching 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]
  
  Tuesday 5 November
  
  19°C → 37°C
  Sunny.
  10% 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 in the afternoon and evening. Winds north to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light before dawn then becoming east to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day. Overnight temperatures falling to between 17 and 20 with daytime temperatures reaching the mid to high 30s.
  
  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 and evening. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm in the south in the morning and afternoon. Winds north to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light during the day then becoming northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the afternoon. 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 20 km/h becoming light during the day then becoming north to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 18 and 21 with daytime temperatures reaching the mid to high 30s.
  
  Friday 8 November
  
  21°C → 38°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Saturday 9 November
  
  22°C → 39°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Sunday 10 November
  
  21°C → 37°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Carnarvon National Park alerts
  Bushfire alert for Salvator Rosa section of Carnarvon National Park
  Due to current bushfire Salvator Rosa section of Carnarvon National Park is closed. Bushfire response activities are in progress and QPWS Rangers will continue to manage the situation. Affected parks: Salvator Rosa, Carnarvon National Park
  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