Carnarvon Great Walk Capricorn | Outback Queensland

Take in impressive views on your way to West Branch 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

West Branch walkers' camp (Great Walk)

Camp in this shady camping area with endless views of the surrounding landscape and refresh after a long day’s hike.

Accessible by

  • Walk-in

Camping area facilities

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

Set up camp in open grassy woodland, about half way along the Carnarvon Great Walk. You can also start the walk from here—this walkers' camp is a secondary entry point for the Carnarvon Great Walk.

Revel in the stunning landscape, so typical of this section of the park, that encircles the camping area and provides amazing views in all directions. After a peaceful night recuperating (or preparing to hike), cross the suspension bridge over the Maranoa River and spend the next day hiking among towering sandstone structures, sweeping tableland views and amazing plant and animal life.

Getting there and getting around

West Branch 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 Carnarvon Great Walk, West Branch walkers' camp is 15.8km from Gadd's walkers' camp (Great Walk), and 40.6km from the Carnarvon Gorge visitor area, in the Carnarvon Gorge section of the park, half way between Emerald and Roma. This walkers' camp is near (250m) the West Branch camping area, a secondary entrance to the Great Walk.
  • 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

West Branch 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.

Image of West Branch walkers' camp which lies alongside the banks of the Maranoa River.

West Branch walkers' camp lies alongside the banks of the Maranoa River.

Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government

Image of a suspension bridge allows the Maranoa River to be safely crossed.

A suspension bridge allows the Maranoa River to be safely crossed.

Photo credit: R. Brown © Queensland Government

Walkers’ camp features: This Great Walk walkers’ camp is located in open grassy woodland adjacent to the east branch of the Maranoa River. This is the secondary entrance to the Carnarvon Great Walk, which is accessed by crossing a suspension bridge across the Maranoa River.

Location: 250 m from the existing West Branch campground. 15.8 km from Gadd’s walkers’ camp via the Great Walk trail.

Access: The West Branch campground can be reached by high clearance 4WD vehicles and the Great Walk walkers’ camp is only accessible by foot.

Number of sites: There are no designated or numbered sites. The walkers’ camp is separated from the vehicle based campground. The maximum capacity for the walkers’ camp is 10 people.

Campsites are suitable for: walk-in camping.

The existing West Branch campground is suitable for camper trailers and campervans. For more information on the West Branch campground go to camping in Mount Moffatt.

Campsite surface: Grass.

Facilities: Water (must be treated before drinking), composting toilet.

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. 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.