Hi there- we are going to Carnavon Gorge first week Sept school holidays, looking at what we do on the second week ? Looking for some suggestions. We have a 18 ft Millard Pop-Top towed by Triton 4x4 Van is set up for free camping for few nights if needed. Thanks Dan
-- Edited by DC on Saturday 23rd of June 2018 04:20:02 PM
-- Edited by DC on Saturday 23rd of June 2018 04:20:52 PM
Hope you are booked in at Carnarvon Gorge. Things get pretty busy at school hols there. Such a nice place to go to. If you are self-contained, there is a much cheaper place to stay just before Tararaka resort. It overlooks the entrance to the gorge, has plenty of room to spread out and is a supreme place to camp and take in the views. Other than that, there isn't much in the way of free camping around that area.
Which way are you heading to Carnavon ? My preference is always a round trip rather than back and forth same route. We did GC to Carnavon via Roma then Emerald and quick trip to gem fields, Blackdown (leave the van at Bluff) to Biloela and down the Burnett Hwy to Cania Gorge. A bit of variety, not too rushed and citrus available on the way home.
Would agree with Dabbler, Cania Gorge is well worth a couple of days, but it too could be busy with school holidays. The van park just before you enter the National Park is quite good.
If you go to the Gemfields, there are some good camping spots at all designated fossicking areas. My preference for free camping is Tomahawk Creek, but its a bit out of the way for a lot of people. To get there, you drive 8 km north from Rubyvale on the Capella Road, turn left and drive 18 km on the Clermont Road (both all bitumen) and turn left onto the Reklaw Park/Tomahawk Creek road (unsealed) and drive a further 18 km. When I was last there in 2014, the only concession to facilities was a solar powered public phone which some dimwit had vandalised.
Alternatively, for a place quite a bit closer, Id go for Jurassic Park, which is part of the Reward field, west of Sapphire. It is but 5 km from Sapphire if you drive out through Big Bessie and cross Retreat Creek. Dont waste your time at Retreat Creek unless there has been a good fresh to wash some more stones downstream.
For a Caravan Park, Id stay at Sapphire Caravan Park in Sunrise Road at Sapphire. It is a bit quieter and more modern than Richos Blue Gem.
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Dave (Nutgrass)
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Carpe Diem - Seize the day!
You never get a second chance at a first impression, so make the first a good one.
Also, DC, the unsealed section is suitable for vans, as we used to take a 22 ft van out to Tomahawk when there was 36 km of unsealed road. If you do decide to go to Tomahawk, make sure you have a good stock of water and are self sufficient. Water can be purchased from the water point opposite the dump point at Sapphire, or, for those in the know, a visit to the Showgrounds provides free water from the tap there.
__________________
Dave (Nutgrass)
________________________________________
Carpe Diem - Seize the day!
You never get a second chance at a first impression, so make the first a good one.
