Carnarvon Gorge, Carnarvon National Park Capricorn | Outback Queensland

Enjoy the atmosphere and amazing acoustics of the Amphitheatre. Photo credit: © Tony Kevin Photography

Photo credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

Like to become a campground host?

The department is seeking volunteers to act as campground hosts at Carnarvon Gorge section, Carnarvon National Park over the Queensland school holidays. Photo credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

Be inspired: Beyond brilliant—an adventurers’ guide to Carnarvon Gorge

Nestled in Queensland’s sandstone wilderness, Carnarvon Gorge is on everyone’s bucket list, or should be! Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government

Amphitheatre walk

Discover an atmosphere like no other when you enter this open-topped cavern—one of Carnarvon’s most dramatic features.

Journey type
Walk
Distance
8.6km from visitor area (1.2km from Main gorge track) return Start and finish points are the same and the traveller must return via the same path
Time suggested
Allow 4hrs walking time.
Grade
Grade 3 walking track

Accessible by

  • Conventional vehicle

Journey facilities

  • Walking

Discover splendid natural architecture, created over tens of thousands of years by running water in this side branch off the Main gorge track. Scale a tiered ladder and walk through a narrow crevice revealing a 60m chasm hidden deep inside the gorge. You’ll feel like you've just stepped into Tolkien's Middle-earth!

Moss and ferns blanket the sandstone floor to create a surreal atmosphere, offering relief from the heat of the day. Keep your eyes and ears open to discover some of the enormous diversity of plants and animals that live in the gorge. This is a place for quiet contemplation—the towering stone walls and natural skylight create an awe-inspiring atmosphere.

Getting there and getting around

The Amphitheatre walk is in the Carnarvon Gorge section of Carnarvon National Park in central Queensland's Sandstone Wilderness, halfway between Emerald and Roma.

  • The Amphitheatre walk branches off the Main gorge track and continues for 630m to the Amphitheatre site.
  • The turn-off to the Amphitheatre walk is 3.7km along the Main gorge track from the Carnarvon Gorge visitor area.
  • The Carnarvon Gorge visitor area is 5.9km by sealed road from the park entrance.
  • To reach Carnarvon Gorge from Roma, drive 90km north to Injune then a further 160km along the Carnarvon Highway to the Carnarvon Gorge turn-off. If you are travelling from Emerald, drive 65km south to Springsure then 70km east to Rolleston, and a further 61km along the Carnarvon Highway to the Carnarvon Gorge turn-off. From here, the 45km road to the park entrance is sealed.

Wheelchair access

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Amphitheatre walk 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 Carnarvon Gorge safely and Walk with care.

  • There are currently no park alerts for this park.

View all park alerts