Smooth ride to Central Highlands tourism icon

It’s a smooth ride into Carnarvon Gorge National Park in the Central Highlands with the recent completion of two new floodways and the access road fully sealed.

Central Highlands Regional Council completed the $8.5 million Carnarvon National Park Road pave and seal project in partnership with the Queensland Government’s Building our Regions funding.

Mayor Kerry Hayes said the project improves safety for road users and extends the traditional ‘tourist’ season with all-weather access.

‘The project was delivered in two parts, with council constructing the road and the floodway upgrades designed and constructed by principal contractor CASA,’ he said.

‘Now, the last 15 kilometres of the 39-kilometre access road to Carnarvon National Park have been sealed and the crossings at Rewan creek and Ingelara creek have been lifted by 80 centimetres and 1.3 metres respectively.

‘The design improves safety and suitability for vehicles, particularly those towing caravans and trailers.’

Mayor Hayes said the Queensland Government funding contribution was a confidence boost to the tourism sector and recognition of the incredible value of natural tourism assets to the Central Highlands region.

‘Carnarvon National Park is the pre-eminent attraction along Central Queensland’s Sandstone Wilderness tourist route and is a priority destination for visitors from all over the nation and overseas,’ he said.

‘Each year around 80,000 grey nomads, backpackers, local and international travellers visit the park to complete the many walking trails and hikes.

‘With the road completed, our visitors need only focus their efforts on enjoying the hikes and scenery which is some of the most spectacular in the world.’

The access to Carnarvon National Park turns off the Carnarvon Highway 71 kilometres south of Rolleston in Central Queensland, passing through local beef producer’s paddocks until reaching the sandstone ranges at the opening of the gorge.

With the location and scenery of the national park in mind, council kept the construction footprint to a minimum. At the national park end, the sealed road winds through the sandstone cliffs maintaining the feel of a wilderness environment.

For more information on Carnarvon National Park, click here.