WHY IT MATTERS
Help uncover what lived before and after the Great Dying
About 252 million years ago, the worst extinction in Earth’s history wiped out around nine in ten ocean species and most life on land. Nyanda’s rocks hold the story on both sides of it: the cold seas and vast coal forests before, and the strange survivors’ world after.
Our fossil experiences put you right inside that story. You’ll hunt for real Permian and Triassic fossils with your guide, record what you find to a scientific standard, and leave it on Nyanda for palaeontologists to study. It’s one of the only fossil experiences of its kind in Australia, and much of what’s out there hasn’t been found yet.
290M+
years of history in Nyanda's rocks
252M
years since the Great Dying
One of a few
places on mainland Australia to walk across the Permian-Triassic boundary
ALONG THE WAY
What you'll see
Two creek systems from the national park’s gorges meet on Nyanda to form Consuelo Creek. We drive through their shallow crossings, past sheoaks, Carnarvon palms, figs and lilly pillies.
Cliffs rise on every side as we loop around the inside of the dome. The oldest rocks sit in the centre with younger layers ringed around them, so the drive is a trip through deep time.
Tea or coffee and a homemade country snack in the shade, beside a clear spring-fed creek. The best spot on the tour to ask questions.
ITINERARY
How the tour runs
About three hours, start to finish.
Meet at the Nyanda Shelter
We meet at the shelter at the entrance to Nyanda. Follow the signs from the Rewan, Obriens and Wyseby Road junction.
Welcome and briefing
Meet your guide, hear a little about Nyanda and run through a quick briefing. We’ll hand you a two-way radio if your vehicle doesn’t have one.
Into the ranges
We head into the rugged ranges of Nyanda, with commentary over the radio on the history and natural features of the property.
Cross Consuelo Creek
Shallow crossings through an area we simply call the gorge, where our spring-fed creek flows persistently throughout the year.
Loop inside Reid's Dome
A slow circuit around the inside of the dome, with its cliffs facing us from every direction. For more info on Reid's Dome, see our 'Deep History' page.
Morning tea at Flat Rock
We pause under a shady tree by the spring-fed creek for tea or coffee and a homemade country snack.
Back to the entrance
You drive your own vehicle the whole way and hear the commentary over two-way radio. No radio? We’ll lend you one.
We retrace our route to the Nyanda entrance, where the tour finishes.
BE READY
What to bring, and what we provide
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Your own high clearance 4WD
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Lunch or snacks
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Water
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Camera
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A two-way radio, if you have one
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An accredited local Savannah Guide
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Tea, coffee, and a homemade snack
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A two-way radio if you need one
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First aid kit
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Recovery gear and a compressor
GOOD TO KNOW
Your questions, answered
Beginner level. It’s rare to need 4x4 engaged and no experience is needed. We stick to well-formed tracks, sandy in spots and rocky in others, so take it steady.
Your own high-clearance 4WD. The track crosses rocky ground and a few steep gullies, so low-clearance cars can’t get through.
Note: Please contact us if you aren't sure if yours is suitable.
All ages. It’s made for people who want to see country they can’t reach any other way, and for anyone who’d like the views without the long walks.
Yes, dogs are welcome on our Nyanda tours. They can’t go into the national park itself, so keep that in mind if you’re heading to the Gorge afterwards.
WHY WITH US
Private country, guided by the people who grew up here
Nyanda Station is private, working land and the only way to visit is on a tour with us. Our guides grew up in this country and are accredited Savannah Guides, with years spent learning its landscape, ecology and history.
Here is history, geology, farming and country Australia writ large! (And a bit of fun 4WD as well!) Christian is a master guide and his passion for the story of Nyanda is both infectious and completely understandable.
Brad R | Google review
WHERE WE MEET
The Nyanda meeting point
The tour starts at the shelter at the entrance to Nyanda Station, about 30km from the Carnarvon Gorge accommodation. Follow the signs from the Rewan, Obriens and Wyseby Road junction.
We’ll send full directions with your booking confirmation.
BOOK
Check dates and book
Can't see the dates you want? Email us and we'll see what we can do.