Landscape
Carnarvon Gorge's landscapes have been primarily shaped by water erosion. Over the last 27 million years, Carnarvon Creek and its tributaries have worn their way down through 600 metres of rock. Two of the rock layers thus exposed have the capacity to form cliffs - the tertiary basalts of the high country, and the Precipice Sandstone that sits just above the gorge floor. They are both ecologically significant layers as well, for the fractured basalt layer that caps the tablelands and ranges on either side of Carnarvon Gorge weathers into fertile soils, and protects the high country from water erosion.
The presence of these cliff-forming layers has produced a three tiered landscape. The lowest level is the Gorge floor where the majority of walking tracks lie. It is separated from the second level by the majestic white cliffs of Precipice Sandstone. The second level is known locally as 'the shelves', and is made up of gentle to moderate slopes and ridges cut through by sheer sandstone side-gorge. The 3.2 km, one way, track to Boolimba Bluff is the easiest of the tracks used to access the shelves.
Eventually the shelves run up to the near vertical slopes protected from erosion by the basalt cliffs. On top of the basalt layer is the third level, locally known as 'the high country'. In world terms, it is not very high at all - a mere 1000 metres above sea level. However in a continent as old and flat as Australia, 'high country' it is. In fact the tablelands and ranges of Central Queensland are the largest area of elevated land in the state.
