One of the many side-trips off the Carnarvon Gorge Main Track, Boolimba Bluff offers some great views from the top of the escarpment. It’s the only formed lookout track from the gorge – although you can also get some great views from the short but off-track walk to Clematis Ridge, and the much longer walk out to Battleship Spur along the Carnarvon Great Walk. For the most dramatic views, visit Boolimba Bluff just after sunrise or just before sunset.
A fenced lookout platform offers sweeping views to the south, east and west.
Below Boolimba Bluff and directly across to the south are the cliffs Carnarvon Gorge, with Precipice Sandstone being the lighter colour and the basalt cap much darker. Clematis Ridge (at far left of the photo below) is where the road enters Carnarvon Gorge through a gap in the ridge. The pyramid-looking peak in the distance is Mount Ramsay.
To the east, beyond Clematis Ridge and the end of Carnarvon Gorge, is the Expedition Range. This mountain range is also within the Central Highlands sandstone region of Queensland, with the highest peak at 393m.
The outlook to the west is a bit more restricted, but provides a view into Carnarvon Gorge, which is 200m below.
There are many more vantage points from the top of Boolimba Bluff, especially out to the east as you continue along the track to the end of the escarpment.
Getting to Boolimba Bluff
The Boolimba Bluff walk is generally done as a separate walk to the Main Gorge walk, as it involves a short but steep walk up. The junction with with the Boolimba Bluff is 1.6km along the Main Gorge Walk from the Carnarvon Gorge Visitor Centre, which is a nice and easy walk.
Once you leave the main track, there’s a gradual climb for about 500m before a fairly flat section of a similar length. You then reach a very short but very steep ascent through a slot in the cliffs, which gets you to the top of the escarpment. The last kilometre is level again, as the track makes its way to the end of the bluff.
It’s about a 7.6km return walk (from the Carnarvon Gorge carpark), and despite the steep section it’s a relatively easy walk on a good track. If you’re aiming to get there for sunrise, allow 1-1.5 hours to get to the top, and an hour back down. Sunset is an equally good time to visit.
More information
- Parks Queensland – Boolimba Bluff walk
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