• The Upper Gorge track also visits Duwadarri lookout and Indarri Falls. Photo credit: Sarah Jess © Queensland Government
• Take the longest walk in the park to enjoy views over the less-visited Upper Gorge. Photo credit: Fiona O'Grady © Queensland Government
• Ponder the ancient sea beds from millions of years ago. Photo credit: Sarah Jess © Queensland Government
• The gorge is full of birdlife. Photo credit: © Courtesy of Outback Pics, Longreach
• Soak up the colours ... yellow grasses, red earth and blue skies. Photo credit: Sarah Jess © Queensland Government
• Take the challenge and hike to a place hardly anyone else goes to. Photo credit: Sarah Jess © Queensland Government
• Spot the darters drying their wings. Photo credit: Mark Nemeth © Queensland Government
• Spot the canoeists down below. Photo credit: © Tourism and Events Queensland
• Get a bird's-eye view of Lawn Hill Creek from the Upper Gorge track. Photo credit: Fiona O'Grady © Queensland Government
• Marvel at the spectacular scenery of the upper gorge. Photo credit: Tamara Vallance © Queensland Government
• Walk quietly and you may see turtles on the creek edge. Photo credit: Mark Nemeth © Queensland Government
• Stroll back in the cool shade along the creek. Photo credit: Mark Nemeth © Queensland Government
• Gaze out over this amazing paradise. Photo credit: © Tamara Vallance
• Livistonia palms are stunning against the orange-red rock. Photo credit: © Courtesy of Outback Pics, Longreach
• Little black cormorant. Photo credit: Mark Nemeth © Queensland Government

Explore the harsh dry landscape inland from the creek  and look for little ‘arm-waving’ ta-ta lizards along the track. Emerge at the Upper Gorge lookout and soak up spectacular views over the green oasis of the gorge.

Descend to the lushly-vegetated creek and watch turtles gulping fallen figs on the water's surface, then cool off with dip at the base of Indarri Falls.

Return via the less strenuous inland Indarri Falls track or continue onto Duwadarri Lookout for views over Middle Gorge and follow the Duwadarri lookout track to return.

One of the park's western walks, this challenging hike can be accessed from the shady concrete path along the creek from the Middle Gorge day-use area. It is suited to experienced walkers and best walked in the early morning.

Getting there and getting around

The Upper Gorge track is in Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park in remote north-west Queensland, close to the Northern Territory border, 270km north-west of Mount Isa.

• The Upper Gorge track can be accessed from the day-use car park in the Lawn Hill Gorge section of the park.
• From the car park, walk to the Lawn Hill Gorge Ranger office and take the Rainbow Serpent track to the Middle Gorge day-use area, then turn left and follow the concrete path west along the creek bank.
• It is easier to walk the Upper Gorge track in a clockwise direction, so take the turn-off to the left after the track leaves the thicker vegetation along the creek and follow the signs for Indarri Falls and Upper Gorge tracks.
• The Lawn Hill Gorge section of the park can be accessed from the south via Mount Isa or Camooweal; from the east via Gregory Downs or from the north.

From the south

• From Mount Isa drive 118km north-west on the Barkly Highway; or, from Camooweal drive 71km east on the Barkly Highway to the Gregory–Burketown sign.
• Turn right at the Gregory–Burketown sign, and drive 56km north-east on the Thorntonia–Yelvertoft Road.to the Gregory Downs–Camooweal Road (from here the roads are unsealed).
• Turn right and drive 61km north on the Gregory Downs–Camooweal Road then turn left onto Riversleigh Road and drive 35km north-west to the Riversleigh section of the park at Miyumba camping area, and a further 4km to the Riversleigh fossil trail.
• Continue travelling 41km north-west to a T-intersection, then turn left and drive 4km west the entrance to the Lawn Hill Gorge section of the park.

Alternative route from Camooweal

• Drive 2km east on the Barkly Highway then turn left onto the Gregory Downs–Camooweal Road and drive 151km north.
• Turn left onto Riversleigh Road and drive 35km north-west to the Riversleigh section of the park at Miyumba camping areaand a further 4km to the Riversleigh fossil trail.
• Continue travelling 41km north-west to a T-intersection, then turn left and drive 4km west to the entrance to the Lawn Hill Gorge section of the park.

From Gregory Downs

• Travel 72km west along Wills Developmental Road then turn south onto Riversleigh Road and drive 21km to the entrance to the Lawn Hill Gorge section of the park.

From the north

• Several 4WD routes on rough unsealed roads via Hell's Gate or Doomadgee lead to the Lawn Hill Gorge section of the park.

Wheelchair access

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Drinking water

• There is no drinking water along the track, but you can collect treated water from the taps at the Lawn Hill Gorge ranger officeand Lawn Hill Gorge camping area.
• Don't drink water straight from Lawn Hill Creek as it can make you very thirsty because of the high levels of calcium carbonate. Please do not waste water.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Upper Gorge track is open 24 hours a day.

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

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Lawn Hill Gorge safely and Walk with care.