Lawn Hill Gorge, Boodjamulla National Park (Aboriginal Land) | Outback Queensland | Tropical North Queensland

Lawn Hill Gorge is a beautiful oasis in the outback. Photo credit: © Tourism and Events Queensland

Canoe Lawn Hill Gorge

Dip a paddle into the emerald waters of Lawn Hill Creek and glide between the towering orange sandstone cliffs of the Middle Gorge.

Journey type: Canoe/kayak
Distance: 3km return (Indarri Falls) return. Travellers start and finish at the same point, paddling back along the same path to complete the journey.
Time suggested: Allow 1hr paddling time (Indarri Falls)
Grade: Unrated

Accessible by

Conventional vehicle

Journey facilities

Canoeing and kayaking

Paddle your canoe or kayak along the tranquil green waters of Lawn Hill Creek’s Middle Gorge. Remember to pack your binoculars, as there is a variety of wildlife to observe on this adventure. Hire canoes are also available.

Indarri Falls section

Paddle upstream from the canoe launching ramp floating past spectacular sandstone cliffs that tower over 70m above you. The natural tufa deposits of Indarri Falls are very fragile and have taken thousands of years to form. There are currently no opportunities to disembark from your canoe at Indarri Falls. For your safety, stay in your canoe and admire the falls from your water vantage point. You return to the canoe launching ramp at Middle Gorge, the way you came.

Freshwater crocodiles live in Lawn Hill Creek. They are considered timid and not life-threatening but may become aggressive and cause injury if disturbed. Do not approach or interfere with these animals and take care if swimming.

Getting there and getting around

The Lawn Hill Gorge canoe trail is in Boodjamulla National Park (Aboriginal Land) in remote north-west Queensland, close to the Northern Territory border, 270km north-west of Mount Isa.

The canoe trail is accessed from the day-use car park in the Lawn Hill Gorge section of the park.
From the car park walk to the Lawn Hill Gorge visitor centre and take the Rainbow Serpent track to the Middle Gorge day-use area.
Start your paddle from the canoe launching ramp at the Middle Gorge day-use area.

More details are available on Visiting safely.

Wheelchair access

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Drinking water

Bring your own drinking water. There is no drinking water along the way.
It’s best to bring your own drinking water, as consuming water directly from Lawn Hill Creek can cause increased thirst due to its high calcium carbonate levels. Until the water supply is fully reinstated, water availability is limited, so please use it sparingly.