Welcome to our 7 day Escape to the Carnarvon Region of Southern Inland Queensland. Sit back and relax as we begin our journey through to this hidden scenic gem. We have a travel day today as we cover the distance through to Roma enjoying lunch along the way. It is vast out here, away from the coast – big sky country as they call it – there is certainly plenty to see! We continue through Chinchilla to Roma for our first overnight stay. We have time to freshen up before dinner at our motel.

Today is Sale Day in Roma!

At the Roma Saleyard (which is the largest cattle selling facility in the southern hemisphere, selling over 400,000 cattle a year) we are greeted by local, retired farmers and graziers who will offer their time as volunteers to show us the yards and give us an overview. After the Sale we are joined by a local guide for a tour of Roma and uncover how the town transformed, the industries it supports and find hidden treasures like Heroes Avenue, naturally illuminated stained glass windows & the Biggest Bottle Tree. With some free time to explore the “CBD” of Roma we enjoy lunch at our leisure before traveling to visit Injune on the way to our accommodation for 4 nights at Wallaroo Outback Retreat.

Half Day Walk – 7kms return

We depart from Wallaroo at approximately 7.30am for a 90min transfer to the Carnarvon Gorge National Park. This is where you will find the Information Centre and the commencement of the main walking track through Carnarvon Gorge.

Here we will meet our guides for the walk, Simon & Michelle from Australian Nature Guides

Access to the Moss Garden from the National Park is a 3.5km steady paced walk which involves 3 creek crossings (steppingstones) and negotiating a  number of ridges. After the Moss Garden turn off there is a steady climb consisting of approximately 200 steps. The Moss Garden is set amongst porous sandstone and shale walls where a continuous flow of crystal-clear water fosters the grow of lush ferns and mosses. A nearby waterfall makes a splendid backdrop for any snap shots. After a short stop at the Moss Garden (and enjoy a packed lunch) you will start the return 3 .5km walk, including the same 3 creek crossings and ridges, back to the National Park headquarters. From here we return to Wallaroo, with an optional helicopter ride over the Carnarvon Range available on the way.

Please note that our guide, as a duty of care, reserves the right to refuse participants who may put themselves and/or the group at risk.

Please note prior to arrival of the distance and walking ability needed for this guided walk.

We do not wish to have any guests ill-informed.

NB — Reasonable level of fitness required

Spend a magical day in the Carnarvon Ranges on private property with an experienced guide,  discovering hidden wildlife, plants, and magnificent scenery.

What to expect:

After a hearty breakfast at Wallaroo we will depart at 8.30am and enjoy the air-conditioned comfort of a modified 4WD bus with commentary about the local region, legends and landmarks.

 Our first stop is a historical Aboriginal site called the Axe Factory, involving a short 500m easy return walk, with an optional 20m steeper climb to investigate a secret cave. Then it is back to the Wallaroo Outback Retreat where you will enjoy a scrumptious morning tea

After Morning Tea take in the spectacular Carnarvon Range scenery as we travel along farm tracks, finding out how this cattle grazing property came about, operates and is managed today to take care of the environment that sustains it. 

Our knowledgeable and professional guides will also share information about the flora and fauna found in the area while keeping an eye out for some of Australia’s iconic and lesser known wildlife such as Rock Wallabies and the secretive leaf-tailed gecko.

With plenty of great photo opportunities, we make a stop at Date Rock followed by Cycad Gorge to enjoy a picnic lunch of wholesome outback tucker presented in buffet style.  Relax and take in the ambiance of this gorgeous Outback Queensland location set among “dinosaur plants” while also admiring the surrounding cliffs and “Arch Rock“.  After lunch we travel up a rocky range track to take in the breathtaking views of the Arcadia Valley before heading to Rainbow Cave which involves a short 50m uphill walk on uneven, rocky ground.  Here we admire intriguing coloured rocks and authentic Aboriginal art before then enjoying light refreshments just down the track admiring the The Sphinx in the foreground.  After a full day of exploring sit back and relax, reflecting on the day that has been, as we head back to your accommodation.  

On this day tour you will have plenty of opportunity to ask questions of our guide while connecting with and admiring the diversity and wonders of this scenic and wild countryside. 

Today we visit Arcadia Valley Escape, which is part of a 17,000 acre Beef Cattle Station

LIFE AS WE KNOW IT

G’day Travellers!

Our family has been in Arcadia Valley since the area was first properly developed in the 1960’s. My father was amongst the first pioneers to tame the land which was a densely covered Brigalow block with no permanent water and little wildlife.

Improving the land for cattle was a huge task but over the past 40 years the area has been developed into a productive organic cattle property and a thriving habitat for native plants and animals.

Our farming methods are focused on sustainable agriculture and we value every opportunity to share our knowledge with other people and learn what else we can do to improve our methods. Over the years many specialist groups have visited for field days, news crews have found their way to our property and visitors from around the world have experienced our Outback hospitality.

Arcadia Valley Escape is a natural addition to our organic cattle enterprise, offering a personal insight into everyday ‘life on the farm’ so individuals such as yourself can see, smell and touch what the Outback is all about. With myself and my wife, Maddie and the rest of my family being such people-persons and so dedicated to sustainable agriculture, venturing into the tourism industry was a simple decision so we welcome you to come and let us show you – ‘life as we know it!’.

Today , we depart Wallaroo and journey via Roma to Mt Abundance Homestead for morning tea. Mt Abundance Homestead provides rare surviving evidence of the pastoral development of western Queensland from the 1850s. The Scottish Australian Investment Company, which played an important role in the development of the pastoral industry in Queensland during the latter part of the 19th century, established the reputation of Mt Abundance as a fine grazing property. We have a guided tour of this heritage listed property. Moving on we enjoy a hearty lunch then before traveling to Miles for our last night ..

We have a travel day today as we cover the distance from Roma to home – enjoying lunch along the way