"An unforgettable adventure, some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen, in the company of wonderful women. Tara was a brilliant guide, nothing was too much hassle or too difficult"
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Australian Multi-day Tour
Carnarvon Gorge Pack-Free Hiking
Carnarvon Gorge is the ultimate winter walking getaway. Five fabulous days of hiking and exploring one of Australia’s best-kept secrets, carrying just a day pack.
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Carnarvon Gorge Pack-Free Hiking | Departs: 06 AUG 2026 | Sold out
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Destination
Queensland, Australia
Duration
5 Days
Price
From $2,490
Departs
06 AUG 2026
Group Size
10 Max
Overview
Explore the Carnarvon Gorge with AW
Escape to the Queensland outback this winter and discover the spectacular Carnarvon Gorge - one of Australia’s best-kept secrets. With sunny walking days, cool evenings, towering sandstone cliffs, ancient Aboriginal rock art, lush rainforest pockets, and abundant wildlife, this remarkable landscape offers an unforgettable hiking experience.
Join Adventurous Women for 5 days and 4 nights of guided walking, connection, and relaxation. Travel from Brisbane with a small group of women by private air-conditioned coach and enjoy pack-free hiking through some of the region’s most spectacular trails.
Stay at Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge, where you can unpack once and explore with just a daypack each day. After your walks, return to a hot shower, comfortable bed, and delicious meals in the heart of the wilderness.
Fitness/ Walk Grade
The walks are graded intermediate to difficult (Grades 3 & 4), and while creek crossings and some uneven terrain are involved, the pace is relaxed and supportive.
Advanced training is recommended. Focus on being able to comfortably walk for a full day, and then for multiple days in a row, to build your stamina, along with steps. Practice while wearing your day pack, hiking boots or shoes, and using your hiking poles to closely replicate trail conditions. Incorporate walking on uneven or varied surfaces- such as rocks or gravel- to simulate creek crossings and improve balance and preparedness.
Things you'll love about this trip
- Pack-free hiking - your luggage moves with you
- Wineglass Bay sunrise lookout walk
- Freycinet National Park kayak with playful seals
- Local Tasmanian produce at every meal
- Comfortable lodge accommodation, not camping
- Small group of like-minded women, max 14
A taste of what's ahead
Daily itinerary
Day 1 Thu 06 Aug Brisbane to Carnarvon Gorge
We meet at 7.00 am in South Brisbane (exact pick up point will be provided closer to the tour date).
Today is spent travelling from Brisbane to Carnarvon Gorge, which takes around 8.5 hours of driving. We will stop along the way for lunch and a chance to stretch our legs.
We arrive at our destination in the late afternoon and have time to settle in before our first dinner together.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge
Day 2 Fri 07 Aug Explore Lower Gorge (14 km)
This 14 km, full day walk is, without a doubt, the most popular walk at Carnarvon Gorge. Today we are joined by local guides who will provide us specialised insights into the area, including the Art Gallery, Wards Canyon, Amphitheatre and Moss Garden.
These four major sites are totally unique:
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Art Gallery- Over 2000 motifs including stencilled, engraved and free hand rock art, dotted along an equally impressive section of sandstone
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Wards Canyon - Home to the one and only colony of King Ferns we know of in inland Australia
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The Amphitheatre- Be amazed by the grandeur of the soaring cliffs
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Moss Garden- Arguably the best known, and most photographed site at Carnarvon Gorge and is where you'll find one of the best patches of remnant rainforest, and one of the most productive spring systems in the National Park.
We return to the lodge in the mid to late afternoon.
Distances: appx 14 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge
Day 3 Sat 08 Aug Explore the mouth of Carnarvon Gorge, Boolimba Buff & Night Safari (13 km)
If you wish to wake up early, we can start the day with a drive up to a viewpoint to watch the sunrise over Carnarvon Gorge and the surrounding landscapes.
We return to breakfast at the lodge, then pay a visit to Mickey Creek, offering some of the narrowest gorge experiences at Carnarvon Gorge. It's cool, even on the warmest days. The further you venture in, the more rock-hopping will be required.
Afterwards, we stop by the Visitor Centre before heading along the Nature Trail to connect with the Rock Pool. The Nature Trail offers plenty of chances to spot wildlife, including the elusive platypus. The Rock Pool is the perfect spot for a swim and lunch.
This afternoon, we’ll hike up to Boolimba Bluff, a rewarding lookout walk with spectacular views over the gorge. The climb includes around 1,000 steps, but the views from the top make it well worth the effort.
In the evening, we’ll join a Night Safari Tour- a rare chance to spot the gorge’s nocturnal wildlife, rarely seen on daytime walks.
Distances: appx 13 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge
Day 4 Sun 09 Aug The Upper Gorge (20km)
Along the trail today, there are three standout sites - so slow down and allow quality time at each one.
First is Cathedral Cave, a striking rock shelter that holds significant rock art and deep cultural meaning. Just around the corner is Boowinda Gorge, a narrow, winding passage believed to be where creation began - it’s also said to be part of the journey taken by Mundagarra, the Rainbow Serpent, as it moved through this sinuous side gorge.
Eventually, we’ll arrive at Big Bend, a peaceful spot at the end of the gorge walk. With its sandy beach, picnic table, and toilet tucked nearby, it’s a welcome place to rest and soak up the beauty of the area.
We then return to the lodge for a final dinner together.
Distances: appx 20 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge
Day 5 Mon 10 Aug Carnarvon Gorge to Brisbane
Enjoy a light breakfast before departing for home. We will take our time, stopping along the way for a cuppa, lunch (at your own expense) and a leg stretch at some of the iconic Queensland outback towns we passed on the way up.
We will drop you off at the same location as the pick up. Note, if you are booking flights departing tonight, then please book for 7:30 pm or later in order to allow a sufficient buffer.
Meals: Breakfast
Important Notes
Every effort will be made to follow the itinerary as planned, but please remember this is adventure travel and conditions can change unexpectedly. Weather, road conditions, vehicle issues, or the health of fellow travellers may require adjustments. We’ll do our best to keep things on track, but a flexible and easy-going attitude is essential for the best experience.
Occasionally, certain experiences or activities may need to be modified or skipped due to circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, refunds will not be provided for any missed components of the itinerary.
What's Included
- Adventurous Women tour leader
- Twin Share Accommodation in beautifully appointed Safari Cabins with ensuite
- Transport to and from Brisbane in our air-conditioned bus
- Carnarvon Gorge Eco Tours guiding us for the Lower Gorge walk and Night Safari tour
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
Route at a glance
"Our AW trip to Carnarvon Gorge was excellent, I can’t fault it. The communication was good, the pick up bus was on time, our two guides Tara and Yolanda were great and the scenery was spectacular. I will definitely be booking with AW again"
Donna
Carnarvon Gorge
"A wonderful tour made even more memorable with a perfect itinerary ,a great group of adventurous ladies and led by two extremely competent guides"
Sarah
Carnarvon Gorge
"Great trip to a beautiful place
Loved the guided walks with Michelle
Tara and Yo, who were great leaders"
Helen
Carnarvon Gorge
Free download
Take the full itinerary with you
Drop your email and we'll send you the day-by-day itinerary as a PDF - perfect for sharing with a travel buddy or printing for the plane.
Additional Details
Cancellation & Refunds
Cancellation by Adventurous Women:
In the event that we cancel a tour or are unable to guarantee the departure due to not meeting minimum numbers, we will provide a full refund.
Cancellation by you:
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90+ days before departure - Loss of deposit (partial voucher available*)
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75-89 days before departure - Loss of deposit
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74 days or less before departure - Loss of all payments
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No refund is available once a tour has commenced
*Multi-day tour cancellations made 90+ days before departure are eligible for a $250 voucher
We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance with trip cancellation cover for peace of mind.
View our full booking terms & conditions
The Adventurous Women Way
The magic of our trips comes from travellers bringing a supportive mindset, a go-with-the-flow attitude, and a genuine spirit of adventure.
We explore beautiful, often remote places where life moves at a different pace. Flexibility, a little humour and positivity go a long way in creating an atmosphere where everyone feels free to be themselves and make the adventure far more rewarding.
Find more about the Adventurous Women Way and travelling with AW
Exclusions
The following is not included in the cost of the tour:
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Flights to/from Brisbane
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Lunch on Day 5 (guest's own expense)
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Drinks other than water
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Expenses of a personal nature
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Travel Insurance - we strongly advise that all travellers have travel insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances.
Solo Travellers
If you’re travelling solo not to worry, you’re in good company! Many of our travellers join solo and our trips are designed to feel welcoming and supportive from the moment you arrive. It’s a great way to meet like-minded women, and friendships often form quickly along the way.
We’ll pair you with a room buddy for the stay. Or, if you’d prefer your own room, this option is available for an additional supplement. You can select your rooming preference at the time of booking or reach out to us for more information.
Arrival & Departure Details
The tour starts on 6 August at 07.00 in Brisbane. We will drop off at the same location as the pickup on 10 August around 4-5pm. If you plan to fly out on 10 August, then please book for 7:30 pm or later in order to allow a sufficient buffer.
Who will be leading the trip?
Two experienced Adventurous Women Tour Leaders will accompany the trip, taking care of everything from leading the hikes to driving the bus to preparing breakfasts and lunches along the way. On two occasions during the trip, a specialist nature guide will join the group to share insights into the region’s unique flora and fauna.
What if I have dietary restrictions?
If you have any dietary requirements or allergies, we’ll do our best to accommodate them. Please provide as much detail as possible in advance so we can advise what level of catering is possible. In some cases, we may recommend bringing additional snacks, and for severe allergies, we’ll discuss any necessary medical precautions prior to the trip.
Accommodation
We’ll be staying at Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge, a quiet retreat with comfortable safari-style cabin accommodation. Rooms have ensuite bathrooms with hot water showers and reverse cycle air conditioning units to heat and cool the rooms.
What should I bring?
A detailed packing list will be provided closer to the tour date. The most important item is a comfortable, well-broken-in pair of hiking shoes or boots.
How will we be travelling?
We will use a private bus for this trip. Depending on the group size, a luggage trailer may also be provided.
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