Mount Moffatt, Carnarvon National Park Capricorn | Outback Queensland

Camp beside the Maranoa River at West Branch camping area. Photo credit: © Steven Nowakowski

Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government

West Branch (Mount Moffatt section) camping area

Get away from it all and spend a night under the stars in this peaceful riverside camping area.

Accessible by

  • High clearance 4WD

Camping area facilities

  • Wood-fired barbecue (BYO wood)
  • Campfires allowed (conditions apply)
  • Toilets (flush)
  • Tent camping
  • Caravan camping
  • Camper trailer camping
  • Tent camping beside car
  • Short walk to tent
  • Walking

Always check

Popular thanks to its central location, this shady woodland camping area is nestled beside the west branch of the Maranoa River.

Spend a night here on your 4WD exploration through the park on the Mount Moffatt circuit drive, or use the camping area as your jump off point for the Carnarvon Great Walk. After setting up camp sit back and watch the wildlife as it passes through on the way to the river. More than 170 bird species have been recorded in this section of the park—how many can you spot from your camp chair?

Getting there and getting around

West Branch camping area is in the Mount Moffatt section of Carnarvon National Park in central Queensland's Sandstone Wilderness, about 220km north of Mitchell.

  • West Branch Camp area is 9km north-east of the QPWS park office.

  • 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 camping area is open 24 hours a day. There are no check-in or check-out times.

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

Campground features: semi-open area near the west branch of the Maranoa River.

Location: 9km north-east of the QPWS park office.

Access: high-clearance 4WD is recommended, high-clearance camper trailers and off-road caravans. It is not accessible to buses.

Number of sites: Open area without separately defined sites.

Campsites are suitable for: tent camping beside your car, walk-in camping, off-road caravans, high-clearance camper trailers and large groups.

Campsite surface: dirt.

Facilities: a hybrid toilet, communal fire rings, and water (treat before drinking). Water supplies are limited and should be used for drinking and cooking only.

Open fires: permitted in fire rings only, except when fire bans or prohibitions apply. Bring your own clean-milled firewood. Do not bring in or collect bush wood. Fuel stoves recommended.

Generators: not permitted.

Essentials to bring: drinking water, rubbish bags (no bins are provided), a fuel or gas stove or firewood. Read more about before you visit.

Bookings and fees: Camping permits are required, and fees apply.

Bookings: Book online. If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.

Mobile phone coverage: not available.

Upcoming camping area availability

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Mount Moffatt safely and camp with care.

  • There are currently no park alerts for this park.

View all park alerts