Australia's North West Tourism

2018 Holiday Planner

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Kimberley National Parks Limestone caves, plunging gorges, one of the world's largest meteorite craters, and dazzling world heritage listed geological landmarks are just some of the attractions waiting to be experienced in the Kimberley's national parks. Windjana Gorge National Park The picturesque Windjana Gorge is part of an ancient 375 million-year-old Devonian reef system. Spanning three kilometres, the gorge walls are over 100 metres high carved by the flowing of the Lennard River over millions of years. With deep pools of fresh water, it is rich in flora and fauna including great flocks of noisy corellas, fruit bats and freshwater crocodiles. The area has deep cultural significance for the local Bunuba people who have lived there since their earliest memory. The park is approximately 150 kilometres from Fitzroy Crossing or 145 kilometres from Derby, accessible by sealed, then unsealed roads. Four wheel drive is recommended. The road can be closed from December to March due to rainfall. Camping is permitted at designated camp grounds offering toilet, shower and fresh water facilities. Fees apply. A wide range of tour operators run day and extended tours from Derby, Broome and Fitzroy Crossing. Tunnel Creek National Park Tunnel Creek National Park is Western Australia's oldest cave system. The creek flows through a huge water-worn tunnel beneath the limestone of the Napier Range. Walk 750 metres through the tunnel, wading knee deep through several permanent pools to see ancient stalactites and stalagmites and beautiful curtains of glimmering flowstones. The cave is home to a variety of bats. Make sure you take a torch, wear shoes that can get wet and be prepared to wade through water as you explore this ancient wonderland. Access to Tunnel Creek is via the unsealed Fairfield Road. Four-wheel drive is recommended for this route. Tunnel Creek is approximately 30 kilometres from Windjana Gorge or 115 kilometres from Fitzroy Crossing via the Great Northern Highway. Roads can be closed from December to March. Tunnel Creek is a day use area only – no camping is allowed. Wolfe Creek Crater National Park The Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater is the second largest crater in the world; over 880 metres wide and believed to be over 300 thousand years old. This extraordinary crater is 145 kilometres from Halls Creek via the rugged unsealed Tanami Road. Four-wheel drive is recommended and the road is only accessible from April to November. Known as Kandimalal to the local Aboriginal people, you can get a bird's eye view of the crater on a scenic flight departing from Halls Creek. Camping is permitted, however there are very limited facilities and no fresh water is available. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) Broome Office (08) 9195 5500 Kununurra Office (08) 9168 4200 EXTRAORDINARY experience LANDSCAPES Bell Gorge. Did you know? Mitchell River National Park is home to the striking Livistonia palm believed to predate dinosaurs. 46 | www.australiasnorthwest.com

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