My Aussie Travel Guide: Lawn Hill Gorge
You can travel the dirt or black top to reach Lawn Hill
Taking a trip to Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park is always high on our list when travelling through western Queensland. Not only is the gorge a beautiful oasis in what can be a very dry region, but the surrounding area has significant history with the world heritage Riversleigh Fossil Area located only a short distance away.
Lawn Hill is a true oasis in the Queensland outback
Now when it comes to staying around Lawn Hill, the traveller has a few options. The National Park itself offers camping sites based on an online booking system, or a little further away at Adel’s Grove, camping is available within a couple of areas, or they also offer dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation. Campfires are also permitted, but make sure you bring your own firewood.
No shortage of campsites within Adels Grove
Within the grove itself, you’ll be shaded by a massive tree canopy which provides cool conditions on a warm day, and is best suited to smaller set ups as there are lower hanging branches. Otherwise, you can chase the sun if you’re needing solar a little further away in designated campsites. Whichever option you choose, you’re bound to hear and see an abundance of birds, as the area has well over 100 varieties.
Taking an early morning drive to the gorge, grab yourself one of the hire canoes that are available from around 8am. There’s something special being able to see the towering gorge walls from water level – you can just glide along in what is a tranquil setting, and listen to the running water the closer you get to the end of the gorge. There’s plenty of freshwater crocodiles here as well, so you never know whether you’ll see a few basking in the morning sun. And if you get squirted by something in the water, don’t panic! It’s only the Archer Fish that shoot a jet of water to knock insects out of the air!
But there’s also a few walks here of various levels that you can take advantage of. Just remember to wear some good shoes, wear a hat, and take plenty of water, as the days can heat up pretty quickly.
Plenty of walking trails to choose from at Lawn Hill National Park
Back at Adel’s Grove, there’s also a couple of walks, a cruise that meanders up the pretty Lawn Hill Creek, and a few places to swim to keep you occupied. Adel’s restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner – but make sure you book. It was standing room only when we recently visited during the State of Origin, and the Queenslanders were very vocal!
If you visit and see the trees and shrubs in Adel’s Grove and think they look a little out of place compared to the rest of the area, you’re right. Historically, Adel’s Grove was planted as a botanic garden almost 100 years ago by Albert de Lestang. His passion for trees and shrubs saw him supplying seeds from the grove to many places around the world, and would have been something special to see in its heyday. Sadly, a fire damaged the grove and his other possessions during the 1950s, and Albert never recovered from the loss.
A tranquil setting around Adels Grove
We spent a few days around this area to visit the gorge, take a trip to Riversleigh Fossils, and have some general R&R. This region has a great balance of attractions, activities, and is a top spot for some relaxation!
It’s time for us to move on – we’ll next be travelling to Normanton and east along the Bourke Development Road. We know the region has received some unseasonal rains, so we have our fingers crossed that the roads will be open. And if all goes to plan, we’ll then travel on one of the more challenging 4WD tracks up this way, the Maytown Track, as we continue to make our way to the tip of Cape York.
Catch you next time.
Grant & Linda