Visiting Salvator Rosa safely

Getting there and getting around

Access to Salvator Rosa is via unsealed roads, which become impassable in wet weather. Access is by 4WD vehicle only.

From Springsure, head approximately 168km west along the Dawson Developmental Road to the Nogoa River camping area.

From Tambo, two routes use the loop road Wilderness Way. To take route one, head north on the Dawson Developmental Road for 42km. Turn right to head east and stay on the Dawson Developmental Road for a further 89km. Turn right onto Cungelella Road for 24km then veer left to continue on Cungelella Road for a further 14km. Turn right at Salvator Rosa Road and travel approximately 16km to the park entrance.

Route two is for high-clearance 4WDs only. Head south on the Landsborough Highway for 8km, then turn left onto Mt Playfair Road (Wilderness Way) and drive 33km.Turn left to stay on Mt Playfair Road for another 63km. Turn right onto Cungelella Road and drive 14km, then turn right at Salvator Rosa Road and travel 16km to the Nogoa River camping area. Please note, the majority of the road names are not signposted at the intersections.

Erosion of the sandstone has left behind many interesting features in Salvator Rosa.

Photo credit: Brendon Moodie © Queensland Government

Maps

• Salvator Rosa map (PDF, 334.6KB)
• Central Queensland Sandstone Belt map (PDF, 196.9KB)

Staying safe

Be aware of potential danger and take care of yourself while exploring parks and forests. By following a few simple steps you can make your visit a safe and enjoyable one.

• Drive carefully at all times. Dirt roads may have gutters, washouts or loose edges (especially after heavy rain). Check local road conditions before visiting the park.
• If your vehicle breaks down while within the national park, stay with it—a vehicle is much easier to find than a person.
• Always take care near cliff edges—sandstone can crumble.
• Never walk alone, and stay on the tracks unless you are a very experienced and well-equipped bushwalker.
• Supervise children at all times.
• Carry an adequate first-aid kit and know how to use it.
• Plan your trip carefully and ensure you bring adequate supplies of water, food, fuel, vehicle spares and medical supplies. Roads may become impassable after rain, so ensure you take extra supplies.
• Tell friends or family where you are going and when you expect to return. If you change your plans inform them.
• Creek water is often not suitable for drinking, so take water with you when walking in the park. Treat water obtained from all sources including taps, creeks and lakes. Boil water for ten minutes or use sterilisation tablets.
• Wear sensible footwear—boots or strong shoes.
• Protect yourself from the sun. Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and long-sleeve shirt, even on cloudy days. Start longer walks at cooler times of the day to avoid heat exhaustion on hot days. Plan to complete your walk before dark.

Walking safely

• No matter what type of walk you intend to do, you should always plan ahead to walk safely. Judge your ability and conditions carefully before setting out, even on short walks. Do not expect to be warned of every possible danger. Learn as much as you can about the terrain and local conditions and make sure that you wear appropriate clothing and reliable gear. Choose walks that suit the capabilities of your entire group. Stay together and keep to the walking tracks.
• Most importantly, you should always advise friends of your itinerary before departing for a walk, particularly if you are planning on remote walking in the park. Whether on a day walk or longer trek, you should plan to finish walking well before dark. If walking in thick forest, it will get dark much earlier, so carry a torch, even if you are on a day walk.
• When walking, stay together as a group and walk at the pace of the slowest person. Fatigue on long walks raises the risk of accidents and an injury in remote country can become life-threatening.
• By planning ahead, you will not only have a memorable trip, but also a safe one.

In an emergency

In case of an accident or other emergency call Triple Zero (000).

Mobile phone coverage is not available in much of the Central Queensland Sandstone Wilderness. There are some areas of limited coverage but this is also unreliable. Satellite phones can be used. A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) can be used in life threatening emergency situations if no other source of communication is available.

The nearest hospital services are at Tambo, 134km south-west, and at Springsure, 168km north-east of Salvator Rosa section of Carnarvon National Park.

For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.

Before you visit

Visitors to this remote area must be self-sufficient.

Essentials to bring

• A first-aid kit and first-aid book.
• Carry adequate supplies of food and water. The Nogoa River has permanent water. You should boil or treat water before drinking.
• Fuel, vehicle spares and medical supplies.
• Prepare for an extra four or five days in case you become stranded due to wet weather.
• Warm clothing and camping gear as winter nights can be cool.
• A sealable container for rubbish. Take all recyclables and rubbish with you when you leave. Rubbish bins are not provided.
• Bring a fuel or gas stove for cooking—open fires permitted only in designated fire places.
• Torch, camera and binoculars for viewing wildlife.
• Topographic map and compass if you plan to do any off-track bushwalking. A GPS is also a valuable aid.

Opening hours

Salvator Rosa is open 24 hours a day. Sections of the park are occasionally closed for management activities such as planned burns and controlling pest animals. Notification of closures are posted on the website and on signs at the park entrance.

Between April and September is the best time to visit this section as summers can be very hot.

Permits and fees

Camping permits are required and fees apply. A camping tag with your booking number must be displayed at your campsite.

Bookings

Book online or learn about our camping booking options.

Pets

Domestic pets are not permitted in the national park.

Climate and weather

Temperatures in this region vary widely. Summer days can exceed 35°C. In winter, heavy frosts can be expected as temperatures sometimes fall below freezing. Rain mostly falls between December and March however, storms can occur throughout the year.

For more information see the tourism information links.

Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Fuel and supplies

The nearest fuel and food supplies are at Springsure 168km and Tambo 185km or 134km via Mount Playfair Road. Bring drinking water, sufficient food and fuel for the return trip.