Carnarvon Great Walk Capricorn | Outback Queensland

Enjoy the remote and beautiful landscape near Gadd's walkers' camp (Great Walk). Photo credit: © Queensland Government

Experience a remote and beautiful landscape along the Carnarvon Great Walk. Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government

Gadd's walkers' camp (Great Walk)

Camp in amongst shady ironbarks in an area steeped in pastoral history and relax after an adventurous day’s walk.

Accessible by

  • Walk-in

Camping area facilities

  • Toilets (non-flush)
  • Tent camping
  • Long walk to tent
  • Walking

You’ll be glad to shed your pack and hiking boots when you arrive at this site, not far from the Maranoa River. Set up camp adjacent to the shelter, or, for a view of the star-studded sky, under the reaches of the surrounding ironbarks.

Gadd’s walkers’ camp, one of five walkers’ camps on the Carnarvon Great Walk, is near the site of an old stockyard—for many years stockmen camped here when this area was a highlands cattle run. Enjoy a spot of birdwatching before the sun sinks below the horizon and you turn in for a peaceful night's sleep.

Getting there and getting around

Gadd's walkers' camp is in Carnarvon National Park, in central Queensland's Sandstone Wilderness, about 720km north-west of Brisbane and 400km west of Gladstone.

  • One of five walkers' camps along the Carnvarvon Great Walk, Gadd's walkers' camp is 14.8km from Big Bend walkers' camp (Great Walk) near the east branch of the Maranoa River, and 24.8km from the Carnarvon Gorge visitor area in the Carnarvon Gorge section of the park, half way between Emerald and Roma.
  • You can access the Carnarvon Great Walk from the Carnarvon Gorge visitor area, 5.9km by unsealed road from the park entrance in the Carnarvon Gorge section, or the West Branch camping area, 25km from the park entrance in the Mount Moffatt section of the park.
  • 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 mostly sealed.

  • To reach Mount Moffatt from Mitchell, drive 220km north on an unsealed road via Womblebank Station. If you are travelling from Injune, drive 160km north-west via Womblebank Station or Westgrove Station. High-clearance 4WDs are recommended and are essential to get around the park. There are no roads from Mount Moffatt direct to the other sections of the park.

  • Read 4WD with care for important information on 4WD safety and minimal impact driving.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Gadd's walkers' camp (Great Walk) is open 24 hours a day. Check-in to your camp after 2pm and check-out by 11am on the day of departure.

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

Seasonal closures

The Carnarvon Great Walk is closed from the start of November to the end of February—the hottest time of the year. The track may also be closed at other times during fires or adverse weather conditions, for essential track maintenance or for safety reasons.

Gadd's walkers' camp is within the Mount Moffatt section of Carnarvon National Park

Gadd's walkers' camp is within the Mount Moffatt section of Carnarvon National Park.

Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government

Walkers’ camp features: The walkers’ camp is located close to the Great Walk trail. Tent sites are dispersed through an open grassy area well-shaded by surrounding ironbarks. There is a water collection point nearby with hand pump.

Location: 14.8 km from Big Bend walkers’ camp, within the Mount Moffatt section of Carnarvon National Park, near the east branch of the Maranoa River.

Access: The walkers’ camp is only accessible by foot.

Number of sites: There are no designated or numbered sites. The maximum capacity for the camping area is 10 people. Do not camp within 20 m of water collection point—there are underground tanks that can be easily damaged.

Campsites are suitable for: walk-in camping.

Campsite surface: Grass. Visitors must camp at least 20m away from the water collection point, and not underneath the shelter.

Facilities: There is a water collection shelter with hand pump. During winter, make sure to collect your water in the evenings, as the water in the pump can be frozen in the morning, and the pumps can be easily damaged by trying to force the water out. Composting hybrid toilet system.

Open fires: Prohibited—fuel or gas stoves only.

Generators: Not permitted.

Essentials to bring: Fuel or gas stove, water treatment tablets or purification kit, insect repellent, sunscreen, rubbish bag. Read more about before you visit.

Bookings: book online or learn about our camping booking options.

Mobile phone coverage: Nil. For emergency communication advice, see Walk safely.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Carnarvon Great Walk safely and camp with care.

  • There are currently no park alerts for this park.