Isla Gorge National Park, Qld

We recommend everyone add this Queensland National Park to their bucket list!  Our stay was so enjoyable that we did not want to leave.  Campers who arrive earlier in the day will possibly even access a cliff edge campsite offering the most spectacular uninterrupted views to the north.  Simply set out the camp chairs and take it all in – especially stunning early morning and late afternoon as the rocks change colour with the angle of the sun. 

Take a short stroll from your campsite to enjoy the sunset from the nearby lookout.  It is a special treat to be atop the cliffs observing the maze of sandstone gorges all around you.

There is one walk for visitors:

Isla Gorge Track: Grade 4 – 800m return.  The walk involves climbing over rocky outcrops. 

The Isla Gorge campsite and lookout are accessed via the Leichardt Highway – 55km north of Taroom or 35km south of Theodore.  The drive in from the highway is about 1.3km to the west on an unsealed road.

Things you need to know:

• Pre-book your campsite via the Queensland National Parks Booking Service
• Campsites are well-maintained
• Clean long drop toilets near lookout
• No showers
• Bring your drinking water
• Take all rubbish with you
• Fires allowed in designated firepits
• Covered picnic area
• No pets allowed

The Queensland Sandstone Wilderness Region covers an area of around 82,000 square kilometres and in some places is over 1000 metres above sea level.  The area was created during the Jurassic period (about 190,000,000 years ago) when vast sheets of sand deposited on river plains creating sandstones.  The sandstones remain today following millions of years of erosion and uplift that have created cliffs, gorges and valleys.  Basalt from volcanos caps the sandstone ridges in some parts.