Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park lies on the Country of the Waanyi people in north-west Queensland, about 340 km north-west of Mount Isa. Lawn Hill Creek, fed by springs from limestone aquifers, flows year-round through a sandstone gorge lined with cabbage tree palms, pandanus and figs. The emerald water and red cliffs make it one of the most beautiful places in outback Queensland.
Highlights
- Lawn Hill Gorge by canoe. Paddle through the middle gorge to Indarri Falls, then carry your canoe around the falls to paddle the upper gorge. Canoe hire is available.
- Indarri Falls. A small waterfall and swimming spot.
- Lookout walks. Tracks lead to Duwadarri Lookout and the Island Stack, with views over the gorge and creek.
- Wild Dog Dreaming. A walk to rock art sites and a significant Waanyi place.
- The Cascades. A short walk to tufa-formed cascades along the creek.
- Riversleigh D Site. About an hour from the gorge, part of the Australian Fossil Mammal Sites World Heritage Area (shared with Naracoorte Caves in South Australia), with an interpretive trail through limestone holding fossils of ancient mammals.
Riversleigh fossils
Riversleigh's limestone has produced fossils of extinct mammals, birds and reptiles spanning millions of years, including ancestral forms of kangaroos, koalas and thylacines. The interpretive trail at D Site lets you see fossil-bearing rock. Do not remove anything. Mount Isa's Outback at Isa centre has a fossil display and Riversleigh information.
Camping and accommodation
The Lawn Hill Gorge campground must be booked through Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Adels Grove, just outside the park, offers camping and accommodation. Book ahead in the dry season.
Getting there
Most travellers come from Cloncurry or Mount Isa via Gregory (Gregory Downs), where there is a pub and river camping. Roads include unsealed sections and are suitable for well-prepared 2WD vehicles in the dry season, but 4WD is recommended. Routes from Burketown and Camooweal are also used. Roads close after rain; check QLDTraffic. Carry extra fuel, water and spares.
Seasons
April to September is the best time. The wet season brings extreme heat, humidity and road closures.
Waanyi Country
Waanyi people are the Traditional Owners of Boodjamulla. The name Boodjamulla means "rainbow serpent country". Respect cultural sites and signs. See our visiting Country respectfully guide.
Safety
Freshwater crocodiles live in the creek; they are generally shy but should not be approached. Carry water on walks, avoid the heat of the day, and read our crocodile safety guide.
Suggested three days
Day one. Arrive and walk to Duwadarri Lookout for sunset.
Day two. Canoe the gorge to Indarri Falls and the upper gorge, then swim and relax.
Day three. Visit Riversleigh D Site on the way out.
Landscape and wildlife
Boodjamulla is an oasis in dry country. The gorge's permanent water supports cabbage tree palms, figs and pandanus, along with birds such as purple-crowned fairy-wrens, kingfishers and parrots. Agile wallabies, freshwater turtles and freshwater crocodiles are often seen. On the surrounding plateau, spinifex and limestone outcrops dominate. The contrast between the lush gorge and the stony country around it is striking, especially from the lookouts.
What to bring
Bring all food, water and fuel, as there are no shops in the park. Adels Grove and Gregory have limited supplies. Carry sun protection, insect repellent, a first aid kit and sturdy footwear. Phone coverage is limited. Leave a trip plan with someone at home and carry a satellite device or PLB. See our remote-area travel safety guide.
Combining Boodjamulla with the Gulf
Many travellers combine Boodjamulla with Burketown, Normanton and Karumba on a Gulf Country loop in the dry season, or approach from Camooweal and the Barkly. Allow at least two nights at the gorge to make the long drive worthwhile.
Fees and bookings
Camping in the park must be booked in advance through Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, and sites often fill in the cooler months. Canoe hire, tours and accommodation at Adels Grove are booked separately. If you cannot get a campsite in the park, Adels Grove and Gregory are the nearest alternatives. Arrive with enough time to set up camp before dark, as roads into the park are slow and wildlife is active at dusk.
Why the creek flows year-round
Lawn Hill Creek keeps flowing through the dry season because it is fed by springs draining limestone country of the Barkly Tableland to the west. That reliable water supports a ribbon of palms, figs and pandanus through otherwise dry country, and it is why the gorge has been so important to the Waanyi people for a very long time. Treat the water gently: use biodegradable sunscreen sparingly before swimming or canoeing, and never use soap or detergent in the creek.
Photography and drones
Early morning, before the canoes head out, is the best time to photograph the still water of the gorge. Recreational drone use in Queensland national parks generally needs permission from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, and cultural sites may be off-limits; check the rules before you fly.
Communications
Mobile coverage is very limited or absent in and around the park. Carry a satellite communication device or personal locator beacon, and leave your trip plan with someone before driving in. Weather and road updates are available from QLDTraffic and the park's alerts page.
Related guides
Related park guide: Riversleigh.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Boodjamulla National Park?
The most common route is from Cloncurry or Mount Isa via Gregory, on roads that are partly unsealed. Routes from Burketown and Camooweal are also used. All can close after rain; check QLDTraffic.
Can you hire canoes at Lawn Hill Gorge?
Yes. Canoe hire is available at Lawn Hill Gorge, usually in the dry season. Paddling the gorge is the best way to see it. Check current arrangements before you travel.
How do you get to Boodjamulla?
By road from Mount Isa (about 340 km) or from the Gulf via Gregory. Roads are partly unsealed and can close in the wet season. Check QLDTraffic and park alerts.
Can you canoe Lawn Hill Gorge?
Yes. Canoe hire has operated near the campground, and you can paddle the middle and upper gorges, carrying canoes past Indarri Falls.
Sources and further reading
Facts on this page were checked against these primary and official sources. Conditions change — confirm before you travel or buy.
- Riversleigh World Heritage Area — Australian Government
- Boodjamulla National Park — Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
- Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh / Naracoorte) — UNESCO
