This publish might comprise affiliate hyperlinks. We might obtain a small fee, for free of charge to you, for those who make a purchase order. Learn Disclosure.
Nestled within the coronary heart of Tropical Queensland’s rugged Outback, Boodjamulla Nationwide Park is an untouched, unspoiled pure oasis.
It’s a kind of quiet locations that would simply be the magical kingdom setting of the following Disney film. It’s actually certainly one of Queensland’s most scenic nationwide parks!
With its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant ecosystems, and wealthy Indigenous heritage, characterised by dramatic cliffs, lush jungle and verdant vegetation, there’s no scarcity of pure wonders to discover right here.
One of many greatest causes to go to Boodjamulla is to admire the picturesque Garden Hill Gorge. Right here, the whispered tales of the Gangalidda and Waanyi folks, the normal homeowners of the park, intertwine with the breathtaking panorama that encompass you.
It’s a spot that feels religious and serene, not simply pleasing to the eyes.
On this information, we’ll present you how one can go to Boodjamulla Nationwide Park, together with ideas for navigating its beautiful trails, and the place to camp.
About Boodjamulla Nationwide Park and Garden Hill Gorge
It’s an emerald inexperienced oasis in a semi-arid land. It’s Outback Queensland wilderness, nevertheless it thrives with ample wildlife. It’s the off-the-beaten path expertise you crave for.
Boodjamulla Nationwide Park, in any other case generally known as Garden Hill Nationwide Park, is certainly one of final locations to go to earlier than you hit the Northern Territory border.
Driving in includes a few unsealed roads, which is accessible to any automobile (relying on seasonal situations), nevertheless it’s all a part of the journey. As you drive, you’ll move by an enormous, outback plain earlier than within the distance a limestone plateau surrounded by Leichhardt timber, ghost gums, cabbage palms, and enormous paperbarks.
That is the signal you’ve reached Garden Hill Gorge, the most important and most spectacular attraction within the north of the park, recognized for its towering sandstone cliffs that lead into the emerald waters of the river and luxurious vegetation under.
Additional south is the well-known World Heritage-listed Riversleigh fossil fields. What makes this part of the park distinctive is that it’s dwelling to the northern snapping turtle, which was thought to have been extinct till a fossil was found at Riversleigh.
A number of years later, a dwelling turtle was caught in Garden Hill Creek, confirming it’s the largest contemporary water turtle in Australia.
Attending to Boodjamulla Nationwide Park
To achieve Boodjamulla Nationwide Park, you have to a automotive and drive because it’s in a really distant location in Outback QLD.
The closest main airport is in Mount Isa, roughly 250 kilometers away.
From Mount Isa, I like to recommend you rent a 4WD automobile, because the park is accessible by way of unsealed roads that will require a sturdy automobile, particularly in the course of the moist season. You need to use a traditional automobile however your bottom gained’t thanks!
Take the Barkly Freeway (Nationwide Route 66) heading west, then flip onto the Gregory Developmental Street, which leads you in direction of the park.
Proceed on this street till you attain the doorway to Boodjamulla Nationwide Park.
For those who’re driving the opposite course from Cairns on the east coast, then take the long-lasting Savannah Manner Scenic Drive.
We drove 1,786km alongside the Savannah Approach to Normanton, then headed south-west to Gregory Downs, then east to Boodjamulla.
Garden Hill Gorge Walks
One of the simplest ways to expertise the park is by mountain climbing, and because of the rugged terrain, it’s the one strategy to see some points of interest! So pack your mountain climbing boots earlier than visiting, as you’re going to wish them.
There are many walks within the Garden Hill Gorge starting from straightforward to tough. Nicely, we did the tough path to Indarri Falls and upper-gorge with the ladies and I’d class it average.
I’d spend at the very least two days exploring the walks in Boodjamulla Nationwide Park.
Sooner or later occurring the western aspect (or center or higher gorge) of Garden Hill Gorge aspect of the park and the following the japanese aspect (decrease gorge). We missed this aspect sadly.
The Higher Gorge Lookout and Indarri Falls Stroll
The Higher Gorge lookout stroll in Boodjamulla is 7km and took us about three hours. That’s with two younger women and many picture stops.
It begins off down by the river from the campsite and follows the creek for awhile earlier than heading just a little inland.
Comply with the path till you attain Indarri Falls Lookout after which stroll down into the prettiest a part of the Gorge to Indarri Falls.
Indarri Falls separates the center from the Higher Gorge and is simply beautiful. Cease for plenty of images, a swim and a snack break.
Then stroll alongside the river till the tip of the observe. From right here go up the highest of the escarpment to the Higher Gorge lookout for wonderful views of the gorge and river under.
Mwah! Simply divine.
The opposite choice is to go simply to Indarri Falls after which return again alongside the escarpment passing by Duwadarri Lookout and down the steep cliffs. Doing it on this course will prevent some steep climbing.
Rainbow Serpent Monitor
The Rainbow Serpent Monitor is a brief 100 meter out and again path with interpretive indicators telling the story of the creation of Garden Hill Gorge advised by the Waanyi folks.
This trailhead is at Garden Hill Gorge customer centre and ends on the Center Gorge day-use space.
Wild Canine Dreaming Monitor
Along with its paleontological significance, the park additionally options cultural websites with rock artwork, reflecting the wealthy heritage of Indigenous Australians who’ve inhabited the realm for hundreds of years.
One of the best place to witness that is by strolling alongside the Wild Canine Dreaming stroll, which is lined with stone engravings that belong to the Waanyi folks.
The observe is accessed by the identical parking zone used for Garden Hill Gorge. Comply with the Rainbow Serpent observe for 100 meters to the Center Gorge day-use space and switch to the precise throughout the bridge to seek out the Wild Canine Dreaming observe.
Canoeing in Garden Hill Gorge
Within the afternoon, we met up with some mates and employed canoes from Wugudaji-Adels Grove Tenting Park to get pleasure from a little bit of time paddling by the gorge.
We extremely suggest experiencing the gorge on this approach.
Palm timber lining the river financial institution and the plush vegetation of cluster figs, mosses, ferns and even some water lilies flourish, making it exhausting to imagine you’re in semi-arid land.
We had a shocker in arriving with uncharged GoPros, however fortunately I by chance left my cellphone in our bag.
Fortunately it didn’t fall overboard, and it helped us get some images, however excuse the smartphone high quality.
At Indarri Falls, it’s a must to take the canoe out of the water and carry it 50 metres to get to the second gorge, nevertheless it’s price doing.
The second gorge leads down a small creek with overhanging timber and a seaside in the course of the river and to the tip the place two small waterfalls meet.
We stopped at Indarri on the way in which again for a swim. Huge fish got here as much as swim with us, however no freshies.
The water is so clear and refreshing. There’s a small spa pool simply behind the waterfall that’s price swimming over to for just a little chill out.
Did I point out there are freshwater crocodiles on this river?
I completely adore freshwater crocodiles. They’ve these sharp enamel and a monstrous facade as a consequence of their animal classification, however actually they’re shy and mild and can depart you alone.
Don’t fear, there aren’t any saltwater crocodiles in Boodjamulla Nationwide Park.
See why I really like freshies a lot they allow you to swim with them? How cool!
Historical Fossils at Boodjamulla Nationwide Park (Riversleigh)
Boodjamulla Nationwide Park can be dwelling to the famend UNESCO World Heritage Web site of Riversleigh, which can be a part of the Australian fossil mammal websites, the place you may get an enchanting glimpse into the distant previous of Australia’s jurassic interval.
Accessible by strolling alongside the Riversleigh Fossil Path, you will see a sequence of fossil deposits, that are thought of a few of the world’s richest and most intensive, relationship again 15-25 million years.
These fossils present invaluable insights into the evolution of assorted species, together with marsupials and reptiles, that when roamed this area.
Tenting at Boodjamulla Nationwide Park
You possibly can camp at Boodjamulla Nationwide Park, however since there is just one tenting floor close to the gorge, it’s greatest to guide forward. We had been fortunate that somebody had cancelled and simply snuck in.
For those who miss out, there’s one other campsite close to the Riversleigh World Heritage Space (Miyumba tenting space) however that is 55km southeast of Garden Hill Gorge.
The Garden Hill Gorge tenting space is nice for these on the lookout for a rural expertise. There are spots to pitch a tent or tenting trailer, and there’s a swimming space excellent for youths only a brief stroll right down to the river.
Adels Grove Tenting
About 10km out of the nationwide park is the favored Wugudaji-Adels Grove Campsite for these wanting just a little extra civilisation.
You may have the choice of tenting or having fun with mattress and breakfast lodging in both furnished river tents or rooms.
In addition they have an onsite restaurant. There’s a two-course meal on every night at Adels and a buffet breakfast.
There’s additionally a stunning swimming gap and creek at Adels. The children will love grabbing a tube and floating on by.
There’s additionally a brief 1km stroll to a lookout, which is a spectacular view of the escarpment overlooking the valley.
It’s additionally a spot to get related to the web. Sure. We took the stroll at sundown with the ladies and our computer systems. We had been on deadline and needed to get a number of issues accomplished.
Our mates met us up there together with his cellphone to make some necessary calls.
It’s so beautiful travelling with different digital nomads to share every others’ ache and completely perceive the loopy stuff it’s a must to do to do your job.
Finest Time to Go to Boodjamulla Nationwide Park
One of the best time to go to Boodjamulla Nationwide Park is in the course of the dry season, which spans from Could to October.
This era has milder temperatures and minimal rainfall, and the bottom might be more durable so it is going to be simpler to entry with a traditional automobile.
The plush landscapes and vibrant colours are notably hanging throughout this time.
The moist season is from November to April and brings heavy rains and better humidity, which might additionally make some areas inaccessible.
Actually, the park needed to shut as a consequence of injury attributable to flooding, and is anticipated to reopen in September 2024.
Extra Queensland Journey Ideas
For those who’re trying to discover extra of Queensland, together with the Gulf Savannah Queensland, listed here are some useful guides that may assist you to together with your analysis…
