About Porcupine Gorge

Park features

Spanning 5410 hectares, Porcupine Gorge National Park is a unique area of savanna plains that extends for more than 25km along Porcupine Creek. The national park features an impressive gorge with deep permanent waterholes and towering cliffs of coloured sandstone that reveals the strata of sedimentary rocks hundreds of millions of years old.

In the wider section of the gorge the eroding action of Porcupine Creek has also created the ‘Pyramid’, an isolated monolith of multicoloured sandstone rising from the floor of the gorge, shaped as its name suggests.

Read more about the natural environment of Porcupine Gorge National Park.

Looking after the park

Everything in the national park is protected including plants, animals, geological features and cultural sites. Please appreciate, respect and help care for Porcupine Gorge’s outstanding natural and cultural values by leaving things as you find them, and encouraging others to do the same by following these guidelines.

• Leave everything as you find it. Avoid disturbing animals, plants, geological features and cultural artefacts.
• Campfires are permitted in the fire rings provided, except when QFD fire ban and restrictions or QPWS-imposed fire prohibitions (PDF, 763.6KB) are in place. Bring clean, pest free firewood such as untreated, mill off-cuts—collecting firewood from the park is prohibited. Follow the Parks and forest guidelines for camp fires and cooking. Fuel or gas stoves are recommended.
• Use toilets where provided. Where toilets are not available—bury toilet waste (and paper) at least 15cm deep and 100m away from camp sites, tracks and watercourses. Bag all personal hygiene products including disposable nappies and wet-wipes for disposal off-park.
• Never pour portable toilet waste into parks’ toilets—our toilets cannot cope with the waste or chemicals. Empty chemical toilets in approved toilet waste disposal facilities at Hughenden and Charters Towers.
• Never contaminate water. Wash yourself and utensils well away (at least 50m) from waterways. Do not use detergent, soap or shampoo in or near waterholes or the creek.
• Stop the spread of weeds, insect pests and pathogens. New introductions can spread and displace resident species and alter the local ecology. Soil from your vehicle, camping gear and boots can contain weed seeds, ants (and their eggs) and foreign plant pathogens. Before you arrive clean all vehicles (especially the tyres and undercarriage), all camping equipment and walking gear. If available, use a washdown facility provided in a local town. Follow the come clean, go clean guidelines and learn more about pest plants and animals and pathogens.
• Manage your waste. Take rubbish with you when you leave as no bins are provided. Secure rubbish in a sturdy rubbish bag in a sealable animal-proof container for disposal at off-park waste disposal facilities. Never bury rubbish as animals will dig it up.
• Domestic animals are not permitted in the national park. Please observe the before you visit guidelines for dog and pets.
• Keep food away from wildlife. Accidental or intentional feeding upsets the balance of nature and can make animals sick and/or aggressive. Never leave food or food scraps around your camp site or a day-use area.
• Be considerate of other campers. Please do not make undue noise or disturbance—this national park allows campers and visitors to enjoy a semi remote and natural setting.
• Don’t use firearms, chainsaws or unregistered vehicles in protected areas.
• Leave your drone at home. Flying drones in the national park can have a negative impact on wildlife (particularly birds), affect visitor’s privacy and enjoyment of nature and impact First Nations peoples’ cultural heritage. The use of drones is prohibited in the camping area and strongly discouraged throughout the national park. Please follow drone-safety rules.

See caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

Park management

Porcupine Gorge National Park was gazetted in 1970. It is managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 to conserve its diverse natural and cultural features and protect and present its very high scenic amenity and integrity.

Tourism information links

Flinders Discovery Centre
www.visithughenden.com.au
37 Gray Street, Hughenden Qld 4821
Phone: (07) 4741 2970
Email: info@flinders.qld.gov.au

Flinders Shire Council
www.flinders.qld.gov.au
34 Gray Street, Hughenden Qld 4821
Phone: (07) 4741 2900
Email: flinders@flinders.qld.gov.au

Charters Towers Visitor Information Centre
www.visitcharterstowers.com.au
74 Mosman Street, Charters Towers QLD 4820
Phone: (07) 4761 5533
Email: tourinfo@charterstowers.qld.gov.au

Kronosaurus Korner Information Centre
www.kronosauruskorner.com.au
91–93 Goldring Street, Richmond QLD 4822
Phone: 1300 576 665 or (07) 47193 390
Email: enquiries@kronosauruskorner.com.au

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.