S A N D S T O N E
W O N D E R S
I S L A G O R G E N AT I O N A L P A R K
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ear-round, Isla Gorge is amazing.
Each season and even at different times of the day, the park offers outstanding experiences with the land covered in thick evergreen foliage and a backdrop of coloured cliffs and gorges that put on quite a display as the sunlight shifts throughout the day. However, Mother Nature really turns on the charm in late winter and spring. During these months, the bush is bursting with native blooms, attracting honeyeaters and bush animals such as grey kangaroos, whiptail wallabies and Herbert’s rock wallabies. Only found in these parts, the Herbert’s rock wallabies are generally hard to spot but graze on the plentiful supply of grasses, flowers and seasonal fruits found across the park. The days are warm and clear and the views from any vantage point are seemingly endless across the distant horizon.
P A R K F E AT U R E S v v v
Just 1.3 km in from the Leichhardt Way, the bush camping and picnic area is a perfect place to stop and stay. A stunning natural viewing area, overlooking Gorge Creek and across to Devil’s Nest – a large cluster of jagged rocks jutting up from a distant ridge. 1 .7 km along the Northern Historic Flagged Road, at the north-west end of the park, you’ll find Flagstaff Hill parking area. From here you can access the remnants of the 1860s hand-laid ‘flagged stone’ road, built from great slabs of rock by a crew of just 16 men. The road was used to transport wool from Roma to the Rockhampton port.
v Three amazing Flagstaff Hill drive routes:
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on to Theodore for your overnight stay. Alternatively, turn right and head towards Glebe Weir, Lake Murphy or Chain Lagoons for your overnight stop; or continue on to Taroom. FOR EXTREME 4WD ADVENTURE TAKE THIS LOOP WITH CARE
3. The Flagstaff Hill/Ghinghinda
1. From Taroom, drive 31 km north along the Leichhardt Way. Turn left at the ‘Flagstaff via Waterton’ signpost and travel 49 km (9 km past the turnoff to Flagstaff Station). Turn left again and drive another 2 km to the Flagstaff Rest Area and information hut. Along the way view the expansive valley from the lookout. From here, you can walk down to the old flagstone paved road. Back on the road, continue north along the Flagstaff Road onto Glenbar Road, then Glenmoral Roundstone Road and follow it to the Leichhardt Way. Turn left and head to Theodore or turn right to get to Isla Gorge Lookout. Isla Gorge is well signposted and has camping amenities. You can also continue along the Leichhardt Way to the south towards Glebe Weir, Lake Murphy, Chain Lagoons or Taroom for your overnight stop.
Scenic Loop – from the flagstone
2. From Theodore, drive south for 9 km along the Leichhardt Way and turn off onto a road signposted ‘Glenmoral Roundstone’ and ‘Brigalow Research Station’. Travel 14 km then turn left into Glenbar Road and continue for 3.6 km then turn right into Flagstaff Road. After 9 km turn sharp right into the park at a cattle grid on the top of the range. Follow the road for a further 2 km to the Flagstaff Rest Area and information hut. Take the time to view the expansive valley from the lookout. From here, you can walk down to the flagstone paved road. Continue south along the Flagstaff Road until you reach the Flagstaff via Waterton Road. Turn left and continue on to the Leichhardt Way. You can either turn left and head to the Isla Gorge Lookout, which is well signposted and has camping amenities, or continue
the Ghinghinda Road – Fitzroy
paved road, head back to Flagstaff Road, turn right and follow south for about 17.5 km to the Ghinghinda Road, turn left and follow 36 km. At the Y intersection take the track to the right and continue a further 2 km to the Fitzroy Development Road. Turn left and continue to the Leichhardt Way. Driving Development Road – Leichhardt Way loop from Flagstaff Hill is a 200 km loop for very experienced off-roaders in dry weather only. The sightseeing along the way is magnificent and includes views over a series of natural lakes. Please note the Stay Safe Warning before taking this loop.