Camping at Carnarvon Gorge, October 2020
The main track at Carnarvon Gorge is 9.7 kilometres one way. With several sets of steps, many creek crossings and some gradual inclines, the track is classed as Grade 3/4 and is suitable for bushwalkers with some experience. Nine side tracks off the main track lead to the scenic wonders of the gorge. The walk to Ward’s Canyon begins 4.3 kilometres from the Visitor Centre.
To flourish, king ferns need plenty of water and a warm, sheltered position. In Australia, they grow in coastal rainforests where rainfall and temperatures are optimal. Surprisingly, they also grow in central Queensland, at Carnarvon Gorge – it’s the only place in Queensland where they’re found away from the coast.
Sheltered by overhanging rock walls, shaded by a natural ceiling of tree ferns and watered by a tiny creek, Ward’s Canyon is the perfect location for king ferns.
Just 270 metres from the main track, the canyon is reached by an uphill path through the forest. Steps rising up behind Lower Aijon Falls lead to a bridge over the creek at the point where it plunges over the edge.
Beyond the falls the creek widens, its crystal clear water shallow and cool. The formed path disappears but it’s easy to see where others have gone before.
The king fern is aptly named. With lush green fronds reaching up to five metres in length, it’s one of the largest ferns in the world. The first of the king ferns in Ward’s Canyon reaches out across the path as if in welcome.
There’s no longer access to the end of the canyon and the king ferns have grown over the path which used to go further. In this secluded location, they reign supreme.
Joining Jude for Life in Colour: Green and Jo for Monday Walks
They’re such lovely things, Carol, and this is a majestic place. Many thanks for sharing 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re so right, Jo – they are beautiful. Hard to show in the photos just how large they were.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Five meters tall? They are small trees!
LikeLiked by 2 people
They would be Denzil, except they don’t have a trunk. The fronds grow from a rhizome on the ground. Even so, they are very large plants.
LikeLike
Wards Canyon and Kings Ferns look amazing. What a great walk, love the light and shadows in every corner. Great photos.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Jonno. This part of the walk was lovely and we spent some time sitting in the shade to eat our lunch. It was a hot day but the canyon was quite cool.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your photos are so beautiful Carol. Every post of yours makes me want to go there more and more. 🍃💚😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
If you plan a trip to Queensland Miriam, you could include the gorge. It’s definitely worth spending a few days there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The king ferns are beautiful and must be a sight to behold.
LikeLiked by 2 people
They were lovely Judy and much larger than we expected.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ferns are lovely and what a tranquil place to walk on a warm day.
LikeLiked by 2 people
We got there around lunch time and sat under the overhanging rock to eat. It was so cool and refreshing and we had a beautiful lunch time view.
LikeLike
Sounds very idyllic.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Places like this leave me in awe of nature, those ferns!
LikeLiked by 2 people
They are enormous, Glenys. They must be very happy tucked away in that canyon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can almost feel the coolness of the shade and hearing the running water. What a gorgeous place. Amazing to see the power of the water over years and how it has carved the rock.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The rock formations in this park are amazing, Sue. Wind and water have done their job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those ferns seen from below and lit from above are just gorgeous! I’m also struck by how well your tracks are signposted 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
They are lovely ferns. The photo looking up at ferns actually shows tree ferns, which are a different type. Also quite beautiful. Most of our national parks are very well maintained and signed, which is very useful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, I thought they looked like tree ferns but as I had no idea what king ferns looked like, I just assumed they were similar 😆
LikeLiked by 1 person
The king ferns have no trunk and the fronds grow from ground level. Easy once you know what you’re looking for. 🙂
LikeLike
Your photos are getting more and more spectacular. These are fabulous!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Marsha! That’s a lovely compliment. It helps to have a good camera. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always! Are you still using the same camera or have you gotten a new one. I still have my same camera, but I have a better cell phone.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Same camera – Panasonic Lumix TZ110. I love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lumix is a great camera. I heard that from lots of people now that I know more about cameras. (a microscopic bit more about cameras.)
LikeLiked by 2 people
This post makes me want to head out there for a stroll – we have some gorgeous trekking areas in Oz.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Allow a week to be able to enjoy it. The walks are beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds great!
LikeLiked by 1 person
what a stunning place – feels like another world
LikeLiked by 2 people
It was a bit like that – so green. Outside the gorge it was the usual winter/drought brown, but inside it was beautiful.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Pingback: Jo’s Monday walk : A Faro interlude | restlessjo
Stunning place and gorgeous trekking areas
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Monica. Yes, the gorge is beautiful and the walks are all fabulous.
LikeLike
I don’t know if that trail might be too hard for me (I’m terrible at hiking!) but thanks for taking us there. It looks so tranquil!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It wasn’t a difficult walk Lorraine but it was just a dirt track so maybe not for you. I’m glad you’re coming along now though. 🙂
LikeLike
Pingback: #WQWWC #17 Leisure – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write