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Carnarvon Gorge, Carnarvon National Park Capricorn | Outback Queensland

Enjoy the natural rainbow from your camp site at Big Bend camping area. Photo credit: © Tony Kevin Photography

Photo credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

Like to become a campground host?

The department is seeking volunteers to act as campground hosts at Carnarvon Gorge section, Carnarvon National Park over the Queensland school holidays. Photo credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

Big Bend camping area

Enjoy the tranquillity in this cool retreat beside Carnarvon Creek with a scenic backdrop of sheer sandstone cliffs.

Accessible by

  • Walk-in

Camping area facilities

  • Picnic tables
  • Toilets (non-flush)
  • Tent camping
  • Long walk to tent
  • Walking

Always check

Relax in this scenic camping area after your day’s hike from the Carnarvon Gorge visitor area to Big Bend along the ever-narrowing Main gorge track.

A welcome retreat from the heat, the camping area lies beside a natural pool in an elbow of the gorge, with sweeping sandstone walls as a perfect backdrop. Sit in the shade of lanky spotted gums to watch catfish and turtles in the tranquil waters of Carnarvon Creek. Don’t be tempted to join them though—you can’t swim in the creek here. Spot some of the park’s many birds and, after dark, spotlight for gliders, possums and owls in the trees.

Getting there and getting around

Big Bend camping area is in the Carnarvon Gorge section of Carnarvon National Park in central Queensland's Sandstone Wilderness, halfway between Emerald and Roma.

  • Big Bend can only be reached by a 9.7km walk along the Main gorge track, which begins at the Carnarvon Gorge visitor area,5.9km by road from the park entrance.
  • To reach Carnarvon Gorge from Roma, drive 90km north to Injune then a further 160km along the Carnarvon Highway to the Carnarvon Gorge turn-off. If you are travelling from Emerald, drive 65km south to Springsure then 70km east to Rolleston, and a further 61km along the Carnarvon Highway to the Carnarvon Gorge turn-off.  From here, the 45km road to the park entrance is sealed.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Big Bend camping area is open 24 hours a day. Check-in to your camp after 2pm and check-out by 11am on the day of departure.

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

The Big Bend camping area is located alongside Carnarvon Creek and adjacent to sweeping sandstone cliffs.

The Big Bend camping area is located alongside Carnarvon Creek and adjacent to sweeping sandstone cliffs.

Photo credit: Paul Candlin © Queensland Government

Features: Sheer cliffs offer the perfect backdrop to this small, tranquil camping area. Please note that swimming is not permitted in the creek.

Location: At Big Bend, reached by a 19.4km return walk through the gorge from the visitor centre.

Access: The camping area can be reached on foot only.

Number of sites: Open area without separately defined sites. Maximum number of campers is 10 people per night.

Camp sites are suitable for: walk-in camping only.

Camp site surface: Dirt.

Facilities: One picnic table; Toilet facilities are composting and can handle toilet waste matter only. Adding rubbish or other items to these toilets makes maintenance more difficult to manage, which in turn affects the sustainability of the facilities and the health of the natural ecosystem. We appreciate your help with keeping these toilets healthy, and Rangers happy, by not disposing of rubbish in the toilets.

Open fires: Prohibited.

Generators: Not permitted.

Essentials to bring: Drinking water, gas stove, animal-proof sealable rubbish containers, insect repellent. Treat any water collected from creeks before drinking it.

Bookings: book online or learn about our camping booking options. The maximum length of stay at this camping area is 2 nights. Advance bookings of at least 3 months are recommended for holiday periods.

Mobile phone coverage: Not available.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Carnarvon Gorge safely and camp with care.