The gorge narrows
Aerial view
Cruising the gorge
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Cobbold Gorge is within the rugged sandstone formations that dominate the local area. This gorge is extremely narrow, closing to a mere two meters wide in places, with spectacular 30 meter cliffs on either side. The overall length of the gorge is about six kilometres and consists of a series of water-holes and rock falls, however only the last 500 meters is accessible by flat bottom boat.
Cobbold Gorge is fed by several springs keeping the water level constant, allowing boat access all year round. An excellent waterhole at the mouth of the gorge is an ideal place for a refreshing swim.
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How Cobbold Gorge Was Formed
Occupying an area of about 80 kmē, Cobbold Gorge was created by a process that began 1700 million years ago. Over millions of years:
- Sand and mud sediments were deposited on what was then the ocean floor. Eventually the sediments were more than 10km thick.
- Movement in the Earth's crust caused the sediments to compress, forming Hampstead Sandstone, and fold. Large scale faults began to appear in the rock.
- Torrential wet season rains spilled torrents of water through the narrow faults, creating deep gorges and permanent waterholes.
More information about the geological history of Cobbold Gorge can be found at the GSA Queensland web site.
Biodiversity
The Cobbold Gorge area is home to a diverse range of wildlife. Mammals, for example, include Eastern Grey Kangaroos, the Agile Wallabies, Dingoes, and Echidnas. Reptiles abound including goannas, monitor lizards, legless lizards and pythons. Many species of frogs are identifiable by their different calls.
Native fish abound in these waters including archer fish, sooty grunter, long tom, perch, and of course, the freshwater or johnstone river crocodiles. A large variety of birds frequent the lower waterhole.
The following is a small example of the type of vegetation found in the Cobbold Gorge area:
- Delicate ferns and grasses thrive along the waterline within the gorge.
- Spinifex hummock grass (Triodia spp.)
- Eucalypts, including Eucalyptus gilbertensis, Eucalyptus microneura, and Eucalyptus whitei
- Wattles/Acacias, including Acacia julifera, and Acacia leptostachya
- Grevillea, including Grevillea pteridifolia, and Grevillea decora
- Paperbarks/Melaleuca, including Melaleuca argentia, and Melaleuca leucadendra
- Figs, including Ficus opposita and Ficus virens
- Pandanus: Pandanus whitei.
Bootlace Oak
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Grevillea
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Eucalypt
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Freshwater Crocodile
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Legless Lizard
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Agile Wallaby
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