Porcupine Gorge National Park - Pyramid Campground

 19 - 20 June 2025

We started the day with a flurry of phone calls, discussions with fellow travellers and internet searches to establish that the route we needed to take was indeed open. We set off along the Kennedy Developmental Road and had only travelled about 15km when a kangaroo bounded out of the long grass and onto the road right in front of us. Mick yelled "watch out" just as I spotted it. I slammed on the brakes but it was too close and I hit it. I can't have been going too fast as the air bags didn't deploy and the roo hopped away - no doubt seriously injured.

We stopped and looked for damage but could really see any. The "smart bar" we had fitted a few years ago seemed to have done its job. Back on the road, a little slower this time,  checking to see there were no warning lights and everything seemed ok. The car was driving normally but as we increased speed a rattle appeared. We stopped to try to find out what it was and discovered that the smart bar had moved slightly, making it difficult, but not impossible, to open the bonnet. We stopped twice more before Mick found the source of the rattle - a plastic piece near the mudguard. He did a "bush fix" and we were back on our way. 

At first we had thought we might need to go straight to Hughenden to get someone to look at the car, but we figured it would be ok so we continued on to Porcupine Gorge where we has a campsite booked for the night. We'd stayed at Pyramid Campground a couple of times in our tent camping days, but this would be the first time in the camper trailer. It looked like the site we had booked had a fire pit so we stopped off along the way to gather some fire wood.

We found our site and it was just perfect - some shade and a fire pit, not too far from the toilets and  a short walk from the gorge itself. We were a bit stressed after our accident so just relaxed through the afternoon and decided to tackle the gorge walk in the morning.

We enjoyed a campfire while we warmed up some soup for dinner, then had an early night. In the morning we set off on the gorge walk at about 8:30am and, as expected we found the walk into the gorge to be relatively easy. There was quite a lot of water in Porcupine Creek so we spent a short time relaxing by the creek before tackling the return journey. The walk back is certainly a challenge and we needed to make a few stops along the way. 

The Pyramid looms large over the gorge

Once back at camp, we had morning tea, then finished the packig up and headed off towards Hughenden.

Hughenden

21 – 22 September 2023

Leaving Boulia early we discussed our plans and both agreed to scrap the next part of the trip due to the weather. We would forego Opalton and birding near Lark Quarry, in exchange for some time on the Atherton Tablelands and along the Tropical North Queensland Coast. We both felt this was a fair and sensible swap, and that we could come “out west” during Autumn.

We made a number of birding stops, including at the old Hamilton Hotel historic site and had morning tea at Middleton before continuing on to Winton. We met up with friends Wendy and Jay who had a rare couple of hours off, so we joined them for lunch at the café in the Waltzing Matilda Visitor Centre.

After a quick round of the grocery store, we hit the road again with the plan being to stay the night in Hughenden, before moving on the Atherton Tablelands. It was still in the high 30’s when we arrived in Hughenden so we sat in the very well-appointed camp kitchen before setting up our overnight camp.

We had no need to be up so early, but we still managed to get packed up, buy groceries, meat and fuel and be on the road before 9:00am. We planned to drive to Mount Garnet, along the Kennedy Development Road, just because we’d never been that way before.  We called in to the Porcupine Gorge Lookout along the way. We had thought about camping at the gorge but with the heat it wouldn’t have been pleasant, and way too hot to walk down into the gorge.

Porcupine Gorge

23 - 24 July 2014   

We made a reasonably early departure from Pentland and made our first stop at the rest area on the Burra Range which provides access to the White Mountains National Park. Coffee and sweet biscuits - and a session with the camera for Mick. He ventured down the road that starts across from the rest area.

Our plan had been to drive to Porcupine Gorge via the tourist route that avoids going through Hughenden but when we took the turn Mick noticed it was 4WD only (which we don't have) and then we saw a "road closed" sign! So back on the Flinders Highway and on through Hughenden, arriving at Porcupine Gorge for a late lunch. We were looking forward to a quiet night - despite the presence of other campers.

The night was cold but peaceful - especially after the cacophony of the previous night.

We stopped again at the lookout on our way back along the highway. We decided we must come back at another time of day to get a different perspective on the gorge with the different shadows.

We did some shopping in Hughenden and then had lunch at the picnic spot on the banks of the river where I repaired my brand new, expensive leather sandals using needle and thread acquired from the lovely ladies in the local Vinnies store.

Porcupine Gorge

8 - 10 June 2014 

A visit to Porcupine Gorge has been on the "to do" list for some time so it seemed natural that this should be the first of what will (hopefully) be many more camping trips now the kids have left home and we don't have to manage things around work schedules.

We had a short stop in Charters Towers and then Hughenden on our way to the gorge, stopping frequently to take photos (of birds, of course!). The camp ground was well signposted and the road sealed all the way. You have to pre-book your actual campsite so it's a bit of a risk, but we were lucky to get one that suited our needs well.

We camp in a tent, and use an awning off the side of the car to provide shade, as well as a side on the awning to provide a wind break which was necessary as it was very windy the whole time we were there. We also had rain the first night and were grateful that the new tent didn't leak. 

We had been told that the walk into the gorge itself was not too difficult, but the walk out (and up) could be "challenging" so we knew what to expect - and our advisors were right. We had to stop a couple of times on the way back. It was certainly worth the walk though. We had the gorge to ourselves for most of the time and wandered in both directions taking photos and just enjoying the peace and quiet. It certainly is a beautiful spot and I would highly recommend a visit although I did need an afternoon rest when we returned to camp!