Formation

• According to geologists, the Geikie Gorge was formed as part of a limestone reef during the Devonian Period, which was named after Devon, England, where study began of rocks from this period. Thus it could have been formed from 417 to 354 million years ago. Geikie Gorge came to be when Fitzroy River eroded away a section of the reef to cut through it.
  
  

Naming

• The native inhabitants of the area, the Bunaba aboriginal people, named the gorge Darngku. Geikie Gorge got its modern name in 1883. It was named in honor of Sir Archibald Geikie. A noted geologist and writer, Sir Geikie was the Director General of the Geological Survey for Great Britain and Ireland at the time.
  
  

Characteristics

• Geikie Gorge has walls that are almost 100 feet high, and the gorge itself runs for about five miles. The wildlife at Geikie Gorge include Coach-whip stingrays, dingo, freshwater crocodile, Leichhardt's sawfish and wallabies.
  
  

National Park

• Today, a national park exists at Geikie Gorge. Covering more than 7,000 acres of land, it has a forest, river, red gum trees and paperbarks. There are some areas that are covered with wild passion fruit vine trees.
  
  

Access and Activities

• The Geikie National Park is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from April to November for day visits, with restricted entry during the wet season--particularly December to March when the Fitzroy River floods. Visitors to the area can go hiking on the two trails available, swim in the Fitzroy River, go camping, do some rock climbing or enjoy a picnic.