Porcupine Gorge sits north of Hughenden in outback Queensland and is often called Australia's little Grand Canyon. It is a long way from anywhere, which is exactly why it stays quiet, and it is one of the better rooftop tent stops in the state.
Getting there
Access is north of Hughenden on the Kennedy Developmental Road. The distances out here are the main consideration rather than the difficulty, and mobile coverage is patchy once you leave town. Carry water for more days than you plan to stay and tell someone your route.
Camping and permits
Camping in the national park requires a Queensland Parks camping permit, booked in advance. Sites are limited and the park is popular in the cooler months, so book before you commit to the drive rather than hoping on arrival.
Corrugations and your mounts
Rough road works fasteners loose, and this is the one piece of maintenance that actually matters out here. Re-torque the mounting bolts on your rack, tub rack or canopy before you leave, check them after the first day of dirt, and check them again every few days. An On The Horizon rooftop tent weighs between 80kg and 120kg depending on the model, and that weight is working on the mounting every kilometre of corrugation.
Dust
A hard shell earns its money on roads like these. The canvas travels folded inside a closed aluminium lid rather than strapped under a cover collecting dust, so the tent you open at the end of the day is the tent you closed that morning.
Sleeping in the heat
Out here ventilation matters more than insulation. Open both ends, keep air moving, and park to catch whatever breeze there is rather than tucking into still air. Every On The Horizon tent has a moisture barrier through the base and an anti-condensation pad under the mattress, which keeps air moving underneath rather than damp collecting there.
The cold catches people out
Outback Queensland is hot by day and can be genuinely cold overnight in winter, and people pack for the day they arrive rather than the night. Every On The Horizon rooftop tent has winter insulation built in rather than sold as an add-on, which is what stops the temperature swing turning into damp bedding by morning.
Common questions
Do you need a permit to camp at Porcupine Gorge?
Yes. Camping in the national park requires a Queensland Parks camping permit booked in advance, and sites are limited.
Do you need a 4WD for Porcupine Gorge?
The main access is manageable in most vehicles in good conditions, but the distances are long and services are thin. Check current conditions with Queensland Parks before you go.
When is the best time to visit Porcupine Gorge?
The cooler months. Summer out here is hot and the wet can affect access. Expect warm days and cold nights in winter, and pack for both.
Related guides
Porcupine Gorge Rooftop Tent Touring Guide: Outback Queensland
Porcupine Gorge sits north of Hughenden in outback Queensland and is often called Australia's little Grand Canyon. It is a long way from anywhere, which is exactly why it stays quiet, and it is one of the better rooftop tent stops in the state.
Getting there
Access is north of Hughenden on the Kennedy Developmental Road. The distances out here are the main consideration rather than the difficulty, and mobile coverage is patchy once you leave town. Carry water for more days than you plan to stay and tell someone your route.
Camping and permits
Camping in the national park requires a Queensland Parks camping permit, booked in advance. Sites are limited and the park is popular in the cooler months, so book before you commit to the drive rather than hoping on arrival.
Corrugations and your mounts
Rough road works fasteners loose, and this is the one piece of maintenance that actually matters out here. Re-torque the mounting bolts on your rack, tub rack or canopy before you leave, check them after the first day of dirt, and check them again every few days. An On The Horizon rooftop tent weighs between 80kg and 120kg depending on the model, and that weight is working on the mounting every kilometre of corrugation.
Dust
A hard shell earns its money on roads like these. The canvas travels folded inside a closed aluminium lid rather than strapped under a cover collecting dust, so the tent you open at the end of the day is the tent you closed that morning.
Sleeping in the heat
Out here ventilation matters more than insulation. Open both ends, keep air moving, and park to catch whatever breeze there is rather than tucking into still air. Every On The Horizon tent has a moisture barrier through the base and an anti-condensation pad under the mattress, which keeps air moving underneath rather than damp collecting there.
The cold catches people out
Outback Queensland is hot by day and can be genuinely cold overnight in winter, and people pack for the day they arrive rather than the night. Every On The Horizon rooftop tent has winter insulation built in rather than sold as an add-on, which is what stops the temperature swing turning into damp bedding by morning.
Common questions
Do you need a permit to camp at Porcupine Gorge?
Yes. Camping in the national park requires a Queensland Parks camping permit booked in advance, and sites are limited.
Do you need a 4WD for Porcupine Gorge?
The main access is manageable in most vehicles in good conditions, but the distances are long and services are thin. Check current conditions with Queensland Parks before you go.
When is the best time to visit Porcupine Gorge?
The cooler months. Summer out here is hot and the wet can affect access. Expect warm days and cold nights in winter, and pack for both.
Related guides