Upstreampaddle Summer 2008 18 middle left: Riversleigh fossils lower left: Constance Range images: Hj Preuss... Thx top right: road west of the Isa middle right: Constance Range lower right: rocky outcrop
Upstreampaddle Summer 2008 19 Lawn Hill Gorge
Upstreampaddle Summer 2008 20 Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park is 340km north-west of Mt Isa (via Riversleigh). Mt Isa is a remote 904 kilometres west of coastal Townsville in far north Queensland. More than half of the road west from Mt Isa is unsealed and rough, with patches of bulldust and corrugations when it is dry. The roads can be impassable for extended periods after rain. To the east of the park, are the black soil plains of the Gulf Savanna (the park is 135 km or so in a straight line from the Gulf of Carpentaria) that give way from flat featureless plains, to the parks old, weathered sandstone hills, and gorges, in the Constance Range. Lawn Hill Gorge is formed by Lawn Hill Creek, which is spring fed by numerous freshwater springs from the limestone plateau to the west, and flows all year round. The flat dry country on the road in contrasts with the magnificent red sandstone cliffs above deep green water, in the gorge. This area has a summer wet season, and looks very dry the rest of the year. The wet season is from October to May, and during that time (and at any other time if unexpected rain falls) the road and creek crossings can, in a very short time, become impassable, and leave travelers stranded.. Mt Isa Climate Table Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Mean daily maximum temperature ( C) Mean daily minimum temperature ( C) 36.4 35.3 34.3 31.8 27.8 24.9 24.7 27.2 31.1 34.6 36.4 37.1 31.8 23.8 23.5 21.8 18.6 13.9 10.1 8.6 10.3 14.3 18.5 21.4 23.0 17.3 Mean total rainfall (mm) 110.6 99.4 65.6 16.5 13.1 3.8 6.4 4.1 6.9 20.5 34.2 70.7 454.3 Mean number of rain days 7.8 7.3 4.2 1.5 1.2 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.8 2.5 3.9 5.7 36.6 Source: Bureau of Meteorology The distance canoeable in the gorge is only 6 kilometres return, which is not far, but the section is very scenic, and the red and orange cliffs above the water are quite magnificent. The upper limit is the Cascades, and the offlimits above here is to prevent damage from portaging. Canoes may be hired onsite by the hour, but you are welcome to bring your own. Certainly no motorized craft are permitted. The watercourses are an oasis for birds and wildlife. The banks of the gorge are green with vegetation that includes palms and pandanus. An internet search for Lawn Hill National Park will give you access to online camping permit bookings, local walking maps, and a host of other information concerning adequate planning and preparation for travelling in these remote areas. This area is part of Waanyi Aboriginal people land. Please make yourself aware of cultural sensitivities regarding photographing cultural sites, when you arrive. And don't try and catch the fish in the gorge!
Upstreampaddle Summer 2008 21 above: creek back of Adel's Grove (local camping ground) below: Lawn Hill Gorge and pandanus
Upstreampaddle Summer 2008 22 There are six long and short walks in the Lawn Hill Gorge section of the park. Immediately to the north of the gorge, and the NP campsite, is the Island Stack, where the water has cut around an island. Parts of the gorge have a very narrow, or no, margin for people to walk in, down in the gorge. The following are National Parks walks.. (1) Island Stack 4km return (2 hours) Grade: Difficult (steep ascent and descent) A steep climb (middle left) up the Stack joins a 1.7km circuit which takes you around the "table top" for impressive panoramic views. (2) Cascades 2km return (1 hour) Grade: Easy above: Cascades walk This easy walk leads through creek vegetation along the start of the Island Stack track and then continues on to the cascades. (3) Wild Dog Dreaming 4.5km return (1 hour 30 minutes) Grade: Easy The walking track leads to Aboriginal rock art shelters, then continues on into the lower gorge. left: Island Stack ascent (4) Constance Range 4km return (3 hours) Grade: Moderate a longer walk along the Constance Range. (5) Indarri Falls 3.8km return (1 hour 30 minutes) Grade: Moderate (steep descent) below: Cascades walk This loop walk takes you to the falls and returns via the creek edge. It is a moderate walk, with a steep descent, if walked in a clockwise direction. (6) Upper Gorge 7km return (3 hours 30 minutes) Grade: Difficult A loop walk along the gorge and then back along the creek edge. ------------------------------- Be aware that there are freshwater crocodiles in the gorge. They shouldn't bother you if you don't bother them. Show a little caution in where you swim. The water from the gorge has a high calcium carbonate content (limestone rock springs) so take your own drinking water. The rock soaks up the sun's heat and walks along the top of the gorge can be scorching. Think about early morning, or late afternoon (take a torch!).