Porcupine Gorge National Park Outback Queensland

Photo credit: John Augusteyn © Queensland Government

Be inspired: Dinosaurs and diprotodons—uncover fossil mysteries of the ancient past in Queensland’s Outback

The vast red landscape of western Queensland is a time capsule of our prehistoric past, waiting to be discovered. Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw

About Porcupine Gorge

    Park features

    Covering an area of 5410ha, Porcupine Gorge National Park extends for more than 25kms along Porcupine Creek and includes surrounding open woodland and grassland. The creek has carved an impressive canyon that reveals strata of sedimentary rocks spanning hundreds of millions of years.

    In the wider section of the gorge the eroding action of the creek has also created the Pyramid, an isolated monolith of multicoloured sandstone rising from the floor of the gorge, shaped as its name suggests.

    Read more about the natural environment of Porcupine Gorge National Park.

    Looking after the park

    • Everything in the park is protected. Please leave everything as you found it.
    • Campfires are permitted in the fire rings provided, except when fire prohibitions or fire bans are in place. Bring clean, pest free firewood such as untreated, mill off-cuts—collecting firewood from the park is not allowed. Fuel or gas stoves are recommended.
    • Never pour portable toilet waste into parks’ toilets—the toilets cannot cope with this waste or the chemicals.
    • Stop the spread of weeds and pathogens. New introductions can spread and displace resident species and alter the local ecology. Soil from your camping gear and boots can contain weed seeds and foreign plant pathogens. Before you arrive clean all vehicles (especially the tyres and undercarriage), all camping equipment and walking gear. If available, use a washdown facility provided in a local town.
    • Do not feed the wildlife. It can affect their health and alter the natural population balance. Do not leave food or scraps around your camp site.
    • Manage your waste. Rubbish bins are not provided. Please take your rubbish with you when you leave.
    • Domestic animals are prohibited in national parks. Leave your dogs and pets at home.
    • All snakes are protected. Always carry a torch at night as this is when many snakes are active.
    • Be considerate of other campers and do not make undue noise or disturbance—this park allows campers and visitors to enjoy a semi remote and natural setting.
    • The use of drones is discouraged in the national park. Flying drones in the park can affect visitors’ experience and privacy, disturb wildlife (particularly birds) and impact First Nations peoples’ cultural heritage. For these reasons the use of drones is discouraged in the national park. Please follow drone-safety rules.

    See caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

    Park management

    Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) manages this park under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

    The Porcupine Gorge National Park management plan (PDF, 464.9KB) guides the management of this park.

    Tourism information links

    Flinders Discovery Centre
    www.visithughenden.com.au
    37 Gray Street, Hughenden Qld 4821
    Phone: (07) 4741 2970
    Facsimile: (07) 4741 1029
    Email: info@flinders.qld.gov.au

    Flinders Shire Council
    www.flinders.qld.gov.au
    34 Gray Street, Hughenden Qld 4821
    Phone: (07) 4741 2900
    Email: flinders@flinders.qld.gov.au

    Charters Towers Visitor Information Centre
    www.charterstowers.qld.gov.au
    12 Mosman Street, Charters Towers QLD 4820
    Phone: (07) 4761 5300
    Email: tourinfo@charterstowers.qld.gov.au

    Kronosaurus Korner Information Centre
    www.kronosauruskorner.com.au
    91–93 Goldring Street, Richmond QLD 4822
    Phone: 1300 576 665 or (07) 47193 390
    Email: enquiries@kronosauruskorner.com.au

    For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.