The Wild Geese

Carnarvon Gorge October 2004
Red Rob's ride report

A nine hour ride out through Roma and two nights at Trakkakarka Camping Grounds found us very dusty and dry. Luckily I met a friend who was out there helping her son at the Wilderness Resort where he was the Chef. Meals (for us) were great. Beer expensive and the scenery unforgettable & fantastic.

The camping ground was very good value. $8.oo per head per night and that included the cooking facilities, showers ect. The staff are extremely friendly and happy to help out with any request.

The BM was superb and the small but effective air blower, plugged into the power takeoff socket, invaluable for inflating the air mattress. BUT DAMN USELESS WHEN ONE FORGETS TO TAKE THE PLUGS FOR THE MATTRESS. That's where the staff came into their own with the loan of a mattress from one of the cabins which are also good value for those that are not inclined to camp out. (see pics)

The Gorge is 12 kms long and one should take a full day to walk it. (Midday in the heat is too much). There are many offshoots from the main Gorge and they are all really worth investigating. The scenery is stunning and the cliff, rocks, creek. We are planning to go again and will take a small tent in to the gorge, stay at the other end overnight and return the next day. One would need three full days there to be fair and to enjoy it all well.

The road from the highway to the Gorge was gravel all the way. Passable for cars and road bikes but riders of the latter must be prepared to have a little bit of dust on their wheels.

The GS Adventure did it in great style. See the pics attached. Sealed are good but adventure starts were the bitumen stops.

After Carnarvon we travelled to Cania Gorge near Monto and this too was great. The camp ground there was a bit better (and greener) and again the hospitality was fantastic and facilities were excellent. A two day trip there (very early start and late return) would be an ideal run for the Gee Se in the future. The road is all sealed so we can all go if we organise it well. The walks around the area of the camp ground are easier and shorter but still very worthwhile.

Last night was spent at the Point Carlo Caravan Park at Rainbow Beach. That's also a good one night stop over when we (GS's) travel up the Cooloola Way from Pomona through the Cooloola National Park. I anticipate that this run will be in the next month or two.

Category Rides ~ Category Camping ~ Category Long Distance