Onward to Carnarvon Gorge

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Roma is an interesting place. You always hear that there’s a two speed economy with the Mining sector, and associated towns growing at a faster rate than the rest of the economy, but today I saw some of what that meant. Roma Airport was filled with white utes with red flags on them – probably 200 or so – all ready to collect miners from the airport, and drive directly to the surrounding coal mines. Every Motel in town was fully booked, as were all the cabins in the caravan parks. Most of these motels and cabins were accompanied by white utes with red flags or white 4wds. Locals told us that they were busiest from Monday to Thursday when the majority of the shift workers flew or drove in. Many miners, and tourists are being directed on to other towns by the visitor centres if you haven’t booked, many of which are more than 100 kms away. The town itself was well kept, and very much looked after.

Upon leaving Roma (which wasn’t built in a day), we headed for Carnarvon Gorge. About 300 kms away via Injune. Locals and the Takarakka Bush Resort insist that you fill up at Injune, as there are no petrol pumps in Carnarvon, nor are there any until you hit the next town, Rolleston, another 100kms beyond the Gorge. Glad we fixed an extra Gerry can to the front of the van.

The drive itself was uneventful, other than there were loads of road works, and we hit the edge of the Great Dividing Range. The Kluger was tested as we climbed a number of hills.
120 kms out of Injune we spied the turnoff to Carnarvon Gorge – passed through a cattle grid, and noticed the sandstone cliffs in the distance.

Not long after we turned off, the fields were greener, and full of very plump, very happy cattle. One calf danced down the road in front of us. Turns out that the lush fields are due to the fertile basin running out of Carnarvon Gorge, and the rich green fields were planted with a Peruvian legume that helps fatten the cattle. It is a prized piece of farm land.

The road twisted and turned, and gave way to gravel. We crossed the creek 4 times before arriving (very dustily) into Takarakka Bush Resort. Takarakka is nestled in the Gorge mouth, surrounded by trees, and a bend in Carnarvon Creek.

The boys eagerly explored the area and found the creek. They’ve returned often to that creek to build dams out of the innumerable rocks that line the creek bed.

From the ‘Resort’ we climbed to the lookout to see what would be on tomorrow’s agenda – the main track through the Gorge. We sat there as the sun began to set, and watched the light play on the sandstone cliffs surrounding us.

Local bush guide, Simon, provided an introduction to Carnarvon Gorge, including some history, and interesting facts. 5 out of the 6 species of glider can be found in the Gorge. Platypus frequent the creek. There are spots where king ferns live, the only non-coastal location to do so.

Song of the Day : The Wheels on the car go round and round, all the way to Carnarvon Gorge

New car game : Will the car turn on after it has been switched off?

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