Things to do

Spyglass Peak, Salvator Rosa.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

A self-guided drive directs you to the park's most outstanding features, including flowing springs and towering sandstone formations. There are plenty of opportunities for birdwatching, photography and bushwalks.

Care should be taken when crossing the Nogoa River just south of the camping area. The crossing has a soft sandy bottom and the river often rises quickly due to heavy storms upstream.

Camping and accommodation

Camping

A bush camping area is situated on the broad sand bank of the Nogoa River, 2.4km from the park entrance.

Camping permits are required and fees apply. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your camp site.

• Find out more about camping in Salvator Rosa.

Bookings

Book online or learn about our camping booking options. Note, there is no longer any onsite self-registration available.

Other accommodation

There is a range of holiday accommodation in and around Tambo, Springsure and Rolleston.

For more information see the tourism information links.

Shrubby Homoranthus Homoranthus zeteticorum.

Photo credit: © M. Fagg, Australian National Botanic Gardens

Walking

Salvator Rosa offers three short walks to explore the fascinating natural wonders of the area.

Hadrians Wall loop

Grade 4
Distance: 950m
Time: allow 20 minutes

Begins at the Spyglass car park (off the 4WD road) where you will soon discover the incredible Hadrians Wall, a natural rock formation named after the close resemblance to the European Roman built stone fortification in the second century A.D. From here, the loop track winds around back to the car park, or, explore further and continue along the Spyglass Peak circuit (2km return).

Spyglass Peak circuit

Grade 4
Distance: 2km
Time: allow 40 minutes

The track leads from the Spyglass car park and passes the incredible Hadrian’s Wall. The track then leads to the base of the impressive Spyglass Peak so named because of the 10m diameter hole near its summit, then winds around the intriguing landscape leading back towards the car park. The sandstones of Salvator Rosa crumble easily so please take care when walking around sandstone outcrops.

Homoranthus Hill

Grade 4
Distance: 300m return
Time: allow 20 minutes

From the Homoranthus Hill carpark beside the 4WD road, walk a short distance to a lookout with a 360-degree view of the park taking in all of the bluffs and spires and other spectacular rock formations. This hill is named after Homoranthus zeteticorum, a rare shrub with dainty pink flowers found around the hill and at several other locations in the park.

Navigation skills and adequate preparation are essential for off-track bushwalking.

Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government

Remote walking

Carnarvon National Park offers some challenging off-track bushwalking. The sandstone wilderness can be hazardous for inexperienced or poorly prepared walkers. Accidents have happened, even to experienced bushwalkers, a high level of physical fitness and navigational skills are essential. Nature can be unpredictable—storms, fires and floods can happen in a flash. Plan to walk safely and be responsible.

Walkers should familiarise themselves with the area before attempting an extended walk and check park alerts for current information on tracks and conditions.

Remote walking is only advised in the cooler weather, usually April to September. Walking during summer can be very hazardous due to high temperatures and lack of surface water.

Complete a remote bush walking advice form (PDF, 173.3KB) to help with your remote walking preparations. Give a copy of this form to a responsible person and make sure that they know your exact route and when you expect to return. If you change your plans, tell them. Contact them when you return. Have an emergency plan in place if you fail to contact them by an agreed time. If you are overdue or potentially lost, your nominated contact should report this to the Queensland Police Service (phone Triple Zero 000). The police will organise rescue —procedures. Please note: The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service will not check that you have returned from your bushwalk.

Salvator Rosa section offers a rich mosaic of natural beauty in a spectacular landscape. To help protect the parks unique natural and cultural values remote area walking groups must be no larger than six people. The entire national park is a living cultural landscape for Traditional Custodians, please respect this special place and stay safe during your visit. (Important! It is a serious offence under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 to interfere with a cultural resource in a protected area—maximum penalty of 3000 penalty units).

All bushwalkers are expected to walk softly and follow the minimal impact bushwalking and bush camping practices.

Contact us for assistance with route advice and other detailed information. It is recommended that you contact the rangers at Carnarvon North at least 10 days prior to your walk to let them know your plans and to check on current conditions. Permits are required for all remote overnight camping.

Refer to staying safe for more information on safe walking in Salvator Rosa.

Picnic and day-use areas

Louisa Creek Junction

This small day-use area has a shelter shed and picnic table. The water-flow from Louisa Creek into the Nogoa River has been measured at approximately ten million litres a day!

Viewing wildlife

Belinda Spring

The soft murmur of water running over the rocks can be heard at Belinda Spring. Cool, clear water is sheltered by clumps of ferns—a contrast to the surrounding dry, sandy countryside. Permanent water and denser vegetation provide a haven for frogs and fish as well as the mollusks, freshwater shrimp, aquatic insect larvae and other aquatic invertebrates on which they feed. Larger animals, including egrets and herons, visit the spring. Red-backed fairy-wrens and plum-headed finches hide among the foliage.

Other things to do

Major Mitchell Springs

On 5 July 1864, Mitchell and his party camped near here, at what they called the 'Pyramids Camp'. Returning on 5 September, they took up a 'snug position' in the foothills above the springs, making this a base camp where the bullock teams and party would rest after exploring the wild country to the north and north-east.