yourself in the rich history and culture of the area. area. the of culture and history rich the in yourself
Left Visiting Windjana Gorge. Windjana Visiting
relaxing in the shade under a river fig tree or immersing immersing or tree fig river a under shade the in relaxing
by torchlight through the underground Tunnel Creek, Creek, Tunnel underground the through torchlight by
plants and animals in the walls of Windjana Gorge, walking walking Gorge, Windjana of walls the in animals and plants
freshwater crocodiles basking in the sun, finding fossilised fossilised finding sun, the in basking crocodiles freshwater that the park and roads are open. open. are roads and park the that
as simply admiring the world-renowned geology, to viewing viewing to geology, world-renowned the admiring simply as Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) to make sure sure make to (DBCA) Attractions and Conservation Biodiversity,
There is an array of activities for visitors to see and do, such such do, and see to visitors for activities of array an is There
centres or the Parks and Wildlife Service at the Department of of Department the at Service Wildlife and Parks the or centres
Below right Below Below Below Brolgas. Python. Gorge. Windjana at life Bird
Visitors should contact Derby and Fitzroy Crossing visitor visitor Crossing Fitzroy and Derby contact should Visitors
high and 15m wide in parts. in wide 15m and high
eared rock wallaby at dawn and dusk. and dawn at wallaby rock eared
limestone range by flowing water. The tunnel is up to 20m 20m to up is tunnel The water. flowing by range limestone
are open from 6:30am to 6:30pm daily. 6:30pm to 6:30am from open are
gorge and Napier Range. Range. Napier and gorge glimpses of northern nailtail and agile wallabies or the short- the or wallabies agile and nailtail northern of glimpses
Tunnel Creek is a 750m long tunnel carved out of the the of out carved tunnel long 750m a is Creek Tunnel
the day to 15°C at night. The day-use areas within the parks parks the within areas day-use The night. at 15°C to day the
within the extensive grassland on the plain surrounding the the surrounding plain the on grassland extensive the within and glossy ibis as well as bustards. There may also be be also may There bustards. as well as ibis glossy and
and cool nights. Temperatures range from about 35°C during during 35°C about from range Temperatures nights. cool and
that rise either side of the river to stand up to 100m tall. tall. 100m to up stand to river the of side either rise that
trees and the twin-leaved Bauhinia are found scattered scattered found are Bauhinia twin-leaved the and trees goshawks, along with water birds like egrets, herons, brolgas brolgas herons, egrets, like birds water with along goshawks,
to late November is the dry season, typified by clear warm days days warm clear by typified season, dry the is November late to
carved from a fossilised barrier reef creating limestone walls walls limestone creating reef barrier fossilised a from carved
throughout the gorge on the river banks. Boabs, eucalyptus eucalyptus Boabs, banks. river the on gorge the throughout falcons, white-bellied sea eagles, whistling kites and brown brown and kites whistling eagles, sea white-bellied falcons,
season, depending on weather and road conditions. Late April April Late conditions. road and weather on depending season,
The Lennard River runs through Windjana Gorge for 3.5km, 3.5km, for Gorge Windjana through runs River Lennard The figs, leichardt trees and weeping paperbarks are common common are paperbarks weeping and trees leichardt figs, pythons. A range of birds of prey may be seen including including seen be may prey of birds of range A pythons.
The national parks are open to the public from the end of wet wet of end the from public the to open are parks national The
very hardy plants like spinifex, rock figs and kurrajong. River River kurrajong. and figs rock spinifex, like plants hardy very freshwater crocodiles, black flying foxes, corellas and and corellas foxes, flying black crocodiles, freshwater
often closed from November to April due to the wet season. season. wet the to due April to November from closed often
The ancient limestone reef, or Napier Range, is home to to home is Range, Napier or reef, limestone ancient The visitors each year. each visitors animals typical of the Kimberley region. Visitors may see see may Visitors region. Kimberley the of typical animals
conditions can vary greatly and change rapidly, and roads are are roads and rapidly, change and greatly vary can conditions
There are more than two hundred plant species in the park. park. the in species plant hundred two than more are There Windjana Gorge National Park supports many plants and and plants many supports Park National Gorge Windjana
and wildlife and drawing in more than 30,000 30,000 than more in drawing and wildlife and access is by unsealed roads in a four wheel drive vehicle. Road Road vehicle. drive wheel four a in roads unsealed by is access
is situated 36km south east of Windjana Gorge. The only only The Gorge. Windjana of east south 36km situated is of Western Australia. Featuring unique geology geology unique Featuring Australia. Western of Wildlife
Above right Top Freshwater crocodile. crocodile. Freshwater bird. Bower Crossing and 145km from Derby. Tunnel Creek National Park Park National Creek Tunnel Derby. from 145km and Crossing
Napier Range landscape in the Kimberley region region Kimberley the in landscape Range Napier
Road. Windjana Gorge National Park is 150km from Fitzroy Fitzroy from 150km is Park National Gorge Windjana Road.
Universal access is applicable to toilets only. only. toilets to applicable is access Universal
outstanding natural attractions located in the the in located attractions natural outstanding
Both attractions are located on the Fairfield Leopold Downs Downs Leopold Fairfield the on located are attractions Both
Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek are are Creek Tunnel and Gorge Windjana park ranger if you are unsure about lighting a fire. a lighting about unsure are you if ranger park
Planning your visit your Planning
of Very High, Extreme or Catastrophic fire danger. Please ask a a ask Please danger. fire Catastrophic or Extreme High, Very of
should be used responsibly and is not permitted during periods periods during permitted not is and responsibly used be should
culture through guided tours led by the traditional owners. owners. traditional the by led tours guided through culture visitors and is not to be collected within the park. the within collected be to not is and visitors Fire Fire
There are opportunities to learn and immerse yourself in Bunuba Bunuba in yourself immerse and learn to opportunities are There All firewood should be brought with with brought be should firewood All extinguished nightly. nightly. extinguished
fires are only permitted in designated fire rings and must be be must and rings fire designated in permitted only are fires built the Lillimilura Station Homestead. Station Lillimilura the built
with picnic tables, toilets and an information shelter. Camp Camp shelter. information an and toilets tables, picnic with Forrester, who took up the nearby pastoral lease in 1884 and and 1884 in lease pastoral nearby the up took who Forrester,
include showers, toilets and water. There is also a day-use area area day-use a also is There water. and toilets showers, include Hence the name Windjana, which was (mis) recorded by William William by recorded (mis) was which Windjana, name the Hence
permits the use of generators. The campground facilities facilities campground The generators. of use the permits Wandjina are the powerful creation spirits that reside there. there. reside that spirits creation powerful the are Wandjina
Muwayi – Bunuba Healthy Country Plan, 2017-2027. Plan, Country Healthy Bunuba – Muwayi
There are two campgrounds located in the park, only one one only park, the in located campgrounds two are There
and Tunnel Creek are highly spiritual places to Bunuba and the the and Bunuba to places spiritual highly are Creek Tunnel and
Bunuba Dawangarri Aboriginal Corporation (2017) Jalangurru Jalangurru (2017) Corporation Aboriginal Dawangarri Bunuba
generation to generation until the present day. Windjana Gorge Gorge Windjana day. present the until generation to generation
(sawfish) and Jawiywiy or Ngangu (bull shark),” (bull Ngangu or Jawiywiy and (sawfish) Services and facilities and Services
traditional stories, songs and ceremonies handed down from from down handed ceremonies and songs stories, traditional animals like the Gayi (freshwater crocodile), Nyannyani Nyannyani crocodile), (freshwater Gayi the like animals
history and mythology are recorded in art and artefacts, and in in and artefacts, and art in recorded are mythology and history “These Garuwa (water) places contain many important important many contain places (water) Garuwa “These
to Bunuba, and their involvement in park management. Their Their management. park in involvement their and Bunuba, to Above Windjana Gorge. Gorge. Windjana
recognise the cultural and continuing significance of the area area the of significance continuing and cultural the recognise
Windjana Gorge National Park National Gorge Windjana
Tunnel Creek and surrounding areas. The names of the parks parks the of names The areas. surrounding and Creek Tunnel
Bunuba people are the traditional owners of Windjana Gorge, Gorge, Windjana of owners traditional the are people Bunuba
2017-2027 ).
(2017) Jalangurru Muwayi – Bunuba Healthy Country Plan, Plan, Country Healthy Bunuba – Muwayi Jalangurru (2017)
Bunuba Dawangarri Aboriginal Corporation Corporation Aboriginal Dawangarri Bunuba what is allowed.” is what (
they respect country and culture, only go places and do do and places go only culture, and country respect they
“Bunuba welcome people onto their country as long as as long as country their onto people welcome “Bunuba Welcome Traditional owners Traditional
Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek national parks
Above Tunnel Creek. Right Windjana Gorge National Park.
Fees and park passes Visitor fees apply at Windjana Gorge National Park, which help maintain and enhance the park. Please pay entry fees at the entrance station, by either paying a ranger or depositing the fee in the collection box if the area is unattended. A range of park passes are available online at shop.dbca.wa.gov.au/park-passes, and at the Parks and Wildlife Service office and Derby and Fitzroy Crossing visitor centres. For further information Take care Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Your safety is our concern but your responsibility. Parks and Wildlife Service Broome Office BE CAUTIOUS Stay on the roads and tracks to protect the park. 111 Herbert Street, Broome Ph: (08) 9195 5500 BE KIND Do not disturb or take any animals, plants or rocks. dbca.wa.gov.au Pets, firearms and fishing are not permitted. Fitzroy Crossing Visitors Centre BE WISE Do not contaminate water with soaps or sunscreen Ph: (08) 9191 5355 as they can affect aquatic life. BE CAREFUL Avoid the risk of bushfire. Use your own portable cooking appliance. Only light fires in the fire rings located at Windjana Gorge campground. Photos –Tourism WA and DBCA Visitor guide Front cover Tunnel Creek. BE CLEAN Please take your rubbish with you and dispose of it appropriately in the next town. No bins are provided in the park. LEAVE NO TRACE Leave things as you find them for all to enjoy. GOVERNMENT OF 20170314-0418-2M WESTERN AUSTRALIA Boab tree, Windjana Gorge National Park. Please return unwanted brochures to distribution points Information current at April 2018 RECYCLE Publication available in alternative format on request.
yourself in the rich history and culture of the area. area. the of culture and history rich the in yourself
Left Visiting Windjana Gorge. Windjana Visiting
relaxing in the shade under a river fig tree or immersing immersing or tree fig river a under shade the in relaxing
by torchlight through the underground Tunnel Creek, Creek, Tunnel underground the through torchlight by
plants and animals in the walls of Windjana Gorge, walking walking Gorge, Windjana of walls the in animals and plants
freshwater crocodiles basking in the sun, finding fossilised fossilised finding sun, the in basking crocodiles freshwater that the park and roads are open. open. are roads and park the that
as simply admiring the world-renowned geology, to viewing viewing to geology, world-renowned the admiring simply as Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) to make sure sure make to (DBCA) Attractions and Conservation Biodiversity,
There is an array of activities for visitors to see and do, such such do, and see to visitors for activities of array an is There
centres or the Parks and Wildlife Service at the Department of of Department the at Service Wildlife and Parks the or centres
Below right Below Below Below Brolgas. Python. Gorge. Windjana at life Bird
Visitors should contact Derby and Fitzroy Crossing visitor visitor Crossing Fitzroy and Derby contact should Visitors
high and 15m wide in parts. in wide 15m and high
eared rock wallaby at dawn and dusk. and dawn at wallaby rock eared
limestone range by flowing water. The tunnel is up to 20m 20m to up is tunnel The water. flowing by range limestone
are open from 6:30am to 6:30pm daily. 6:30pm to 6:30am from open are
gorge and Napier Range. Range. Napier and gorge glimpses of northern nailtail and agile wallabies or the short- the or wallabies agile and nailtail northern of glimpses
Tunnel Creek is a 750m long tunnel carved out of the the of out carved tunnel long 750m a is Creek Tunnel
the day to 15°C at night. The day-use areas within the parks parks the within areas day-use The night. at 15°C to day the
within the extensive grassland on the plain surrounding the the surrounding plain the on grassland extensive the within and glossy ibis as well as bustards. There may also be be also may There bustards. as well as ibis glossy and
and cool nights. Temperatures range from about 35°C during during 35°C about from range Temperatures nights. cool and
that rise either side of the river to stand up to 100m tall. tall. 100m to up stand to river the of side either rise that
trees and the twin-leaved Bauhinia are found scattered scattered found are Bauhinia twin-leaved the and trees goshawks, along with water birds like egrets, herons, brolgas brolgas herons, egrets, like birds water with along goshawks,
to late November is the dry season, typified by clear warm days days warm clear by typified season, dry the is November late to
carved from a fossilised barrier reef creating limestone walls walls limestone creating reef barrier fossilised a from carved
throughout the gorge on the river banks. Boabs, eucalyptus eucalyptus Boabs, banks. river the on gorge the throughout falcons, white-bellied sea eagles, whistling kites and brown brown and kites whistling eagles, sea white-bellied falcons,
season, depending on weather and road conditions. Late April April Late conditions. road and weather on depending season,
The Lennard River runs through Windjana Gorge for 3.5km, 3.5km, for Gorge Windjana through runs River Lennard The figs, leichardt trees and weeping paperbarks are common common are paperbarks weeping and trees leichardt figs, pythons. A range of birds of prey may be seen including including seen be may prey of birds of range A pythons.
The national parks are open to the public from the end of wet wet of end the from public the to open are parks national The
very hardy plants like spinifex, rock figs and kurrajong. River River kurrajong. and figs rock spinifex, like plants hardy very freshwater crocodiles, black flying foxes, corellas and and corellas foxes, flying black crocodiles, freshwater
often closed from November to April due to the wet season. season. wet the to due April to November from closed often
The ancient limestone reef, or Napier Range, is home to to home is Range, Napier or reef, limestone ancient The visitors each year. each visitors animals typical of the Kimberley region. Visitors may see see may Visitors region. Kimberley the of typical animals
conditions can vary greatly and change rapidly, and roads are are roads and rapidly, change and greatly vary can conditions
There are more than two hundred plant species in the park. park. the in species plant hundred two than more are There Windjana Gorge National Park supports many plants and and plants many supports Park National Gorge Windjana
and wildlife and drawing in more than 30,000 30,000 than more in drawing and wildlife and access is by unsealed roads in a four wheel drive vehicle. Road Road vehicle. drive wheel four a in roads unsealed by is access
is situated 36km south east of Windjana Gorge. The only only The Gorge. Windjana of east south 36km situated is of Western Australia. Featuring unique geology geology unique Featuring Australia. Western of Wildlife
Above right Top Freshwater crocodile. crocodile. Freshwater bird. Bower Crossing and 145km from Derby. Tunnel Creek National Park Park National Creek Tunnel Derby. from 145km and Crossing
Napier Range landscape in the Kimberley region region Kimberley the in landscape Range Napier
Road. Windjana Gorge National Park is 150km from Fitzroy Fitzroy from 150km is Park National Gorge Windjana Road.
Universal access is applicable to toilets only. only. toilets to applicable is access Universal
outstanding natural attractions located in the the in located attractions natural outstanding
Both attractions are located on the Fairfield Leopold Downs Downs Leopold Fairfield the on located are attractions Both
Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek are are Creek Tunnel and Gorge Windjana park ranger if you are unsure about lighting a fire. a lighting about unsure are you if ranger park
Planning your visit your Planning
of Very High, Extreme or Catastrophic fire danger. Please ask a a ask Please danger. fire Catastrophic or Extreme High, Very of
should be used responsibly and is not permitted during periods periods during permitted not is and responsibly used be should
culture through guided tours led by the traditional owners. owners. traditional the by led tours guided through culture visitors and is not to be collected within the park. the within collected be to not is and visitors Fire Fire
There are opportunities to learn and immerse yourself in Bunuba Bunuba in yourself immerse and learn to opportunities are There All firewood should be brought with with brought be should firewood All extinguished nightly. nightly. extinguished
fires are only permitted in designated fire rings and must be be must and rings fire designated in permitted only are fires built the Lillimilura Station Homestead. Station Lillimilura the built
with picnic tables, toilets and an information shelter. Camp Camp shelter. information an and toilets tables, picnic with Forrester, who took up the nearby pastoral lease in 1884 and and 1884 in lease pastoral nearby the up took who Forrester,
include showers, toilets and water. There is also a day-use area area day-use a also is There water. and toilets showers, include Hence the name Windjana, which was (mis) recorded by William William by recorded (mis) was which Windjana, name the Hence
permits the use of generators. The campground facilities facilities campground The generators. of use the permits Wandjina are the powerful creation spirits that reside there. there. reside that spirits creation powerful the are Wandjina
Muwayi – Bunuba Healthy Country Plan, 2017-2027. Plan, Country Healthy Bunuba – Muwayi
There are two campgrounds located in the park, only one one only park, the in located campgrounds two are There
and Tunnel Creek are highly spiritual places to Bunuba and the the and Bunuba to places spiritual highly are Creek Tunnel and
Bunuba Dawangarri Aboriginal Corporation (2017) Jalangurru Jalangurru (2017) Corporation Aboriginal Dawangarri Bunuba
generation to generation until the present day. Windjana Gorge Gorge Windjana day. present the until generation to generation
(sawfish) and Jawiywiy or Ngangu (bull shark),” (bull Ngangu or Jawiywiy and (sawfish) Services and facilities and Services
traditional stories, songs and ceremonies handed down from from down handed ceremonies and songs stories, traditional animals like the Gayi (freshwater crocodile), Nyannyani Nyannyani crocodile), (freshwater Gayi the like animals
history and mythology are recorded in art and artefacts, and in in and artefacts, and art in recorded are mythology and history “These Garuwa (water) places contain many important important many contain places (water) Garuwa “These
to Bunuba, and their involvement in park management. Their Their management. park in involvement their and Bunuba, to Above Windjana Gorge. Gorge. Windjana
recognise the cultural and continuing significance of the area area the of significance continuing and cultural the recognise
Windjana Gorge National Park National Gorge Windjana
Tunnel Creek and surrounding areas. The names of the parks parks the of names The areas. surrounding and Creek Tunnel
Bunuba people are the traditional owners of Windjana Gorge, Gorge, Windjana of owners traditional the are people Bunuba
2017-2027 ).
(2017) Jalangurru Muwayi – Bunuba Healthy Country Plan, Plan, Country Healthy Bunuba – Muwayi Jalangurru (2017)
Bunuba Dawangarri Aboriginal Corporation Corporation Aboriginal Dawangarri Bunuba what is allowed.” is what (
they respect country and culture, only go places and do do and places go only culture, and country respect they
“Bunuba welcome people onto their country as long as as long as country their onto people welcome “Bunuba Welcome Traditional owners Traditional
Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek national parks
Above Tunnel Creek. Right Windjana Gorge National Park.
Fees and park passes Visitor fees apply at Windjana Gorge National Park, which help maintain and enhance the park. Please pay entry fees at the entrance station, by either paying a ranger or depositing the fee in the collection box if the area is unattended. A range of park passes are available online at shop.dbca.wa.gov.au/park-passes, and at the Parks and Wildlife Service office and Derby and Fitzroy Crossing visitor centres. For further information Take care Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Your safety is our concern but your responsibility. Parks and Wildlife Service Broome Office BE CAUTIOUS Stay on the roads and tracks to protect the park. 111 Herbert Street, Broome Ph: (08) 9195 5500 BE KIND Do not disturb or take any animals, plants or rocks. dbca.wa.gov.au Pets, firearms and fishing are not permitted. Fitzroy Crossing Visitors Centre BE WISE Do not contaminate water with soaps or sunscreen Ph: (08) 9191 5355 as they can affect aquatic life. BE CAREFUL Avoid the risk of bushfire. Use your own portable cooking appliance. Only light fires in the fire rings located at Windjana Gorge campground. Photos –Tourism WA and DBCA Visitor guide Front cover Tunnel Creek. BE CLEAN Please take your rubbish with you and dispose of it appropriately in the next town. No bins are provided in the park. LEAVE NO TRACE Leave things as you find them for all to enjoy. GOVERNMENT OF 20170314-0418-2M WESTERN AUSTRALIA Boab tree, Windjana Gorge National Park. Please return unwanted brochures to distribution points Information current at April 2018 RECYCLE Publication available in alternative format on request. Windjana Gorge National Park The legend of Jandamarra Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Lillimooloora Station and the surrounding lands are the setting for the legend of Jandamarra and the resistance of the Bunuba people against European settlers. For three years, Jandamarra led a guerrilla war against the malngarri (European settlers) and police. He frequently ambushed cattleman and police camps to gain arms and Tunnel Creek National Park supplies for the remaining Bunuba people. The Bunuba The Gorge Trail. Above Tunnel Creek. Left Black flying foxes. Below left Tunnel View Trail. people’s raids and ambushes were so effective that it kept the settlers at bay and became a major issue for the colony, Walk trails Services and facilities eliciting bloody massacres of Bunuba and other Aboriginal Several walk trails provide opportunities to view the Gorge An information shelter, picnic tables and toilets are provided people in the region. and other park features. Be sure to take adequate drinking near the entrance. water and sun protection. “To police troopers, he became almost ghostlike. His tracks Universal access is applicable to toilets only. were often sighted but nowhere was he seen. It was as though the land itself had swallowed him. And in a sense The Time Walk Wildlife it had, for Jandamarra and the Bunuba people knew every (Class 3 – 2km return. 1 hour) cave, every secret tunnel and crevice that riddled the rocky At least six species of bat are known to use the caves within This is a relatively easy walk over undulating ground with ranges,” Banjo Woorunmurra and Howard Pedersen. Tunnel Creek. These include the northern cave bat, the some rocky and sandy sections. Take a journey back in common bent-wing bat and the rare ghost bat, Australia’s only We remember Jandamarra as a great warrior, and as a clever time through the Age of Fishes; discover relics of the super carnivorous bat that preys on frogs, lizards, small birds and and courageous leader who defended our country against continent Gondwana and descendants of the dinosaurs and mammals including other bats. The yellow-lipped bat, found overwhelming odds. We also remember him as a Jalgangurru, the mega fauna. only in the Kimberley, has been little studied but appears to be a man bestowed with spiritual powers that flowed from the a strict cave dweller. The orange leaf-nosed bat named for its timeless law of our country, who could disappear, transform The Savannah Walk golden fur prefers limestone caves that provide warmth and into a bird and shield himself from deadly weapons. (Excerpt (Class 3 – 1km return. 30 minutes) humidity to help maintain its body temperature when resting. from Jalangurru Muwayi – Bunuba Healthy Country Plan, Unlike other bats, orange leaf-nosed bats do not huddle An easy walk over mostly even ground helps you to get 2017-2027). together to keep warm. A colony of black flying foxes is known to know some of the plants and associated animals of the to roost where the roof of the tunnel has collapsed. During the The ruins of the Lillimooloora police outpost are accessible to savannah woodland community outside the gorge. visitors and located 3km from Windjana Gorge on the way to day, the tunnel provides a protected retreat. At dusk they leave Tunnel Creek. The Gorge Trail en masse to seek out the blossoms of woodland trees. (Class 4 –7km return. 2 to 3 hours) Freshwater crocodiles are sometimes seen in the tunnel where they feed on small fish, cherabun (crustacean), frogs Walk through the gorge during the dry season between April and insects. Rainbow fish, bony bream, spangled perch and and October. fork-tailed catfish are found in the pools. Birds such as the The trail is along the river bank adjacent to the sandy black bittern and nankeen night heron are sometimes seen riverbed and is mostly unmarked. There are occasionally just inside the mouth of the cave, looking for small fish and obstacles washed down in previous floods. A sign indicates cherabun. Nankeen kestrels are often seen and heard flying the end of the trail. Experience the profile of the Devonian about the cliffs at the entrance to the cave. Tunnel Creek is Reef and see how shade and soil moisture affect where also home to several python species. Lillimilura police outpost ruins. plants grow. Take plenty of drinking water (2L per person) and sun protection.
Walk trails Tunnel View Trail (Class 2 – 400m return. 30 minute) Take an easy stroll to the tunnel entrance to observe the patterns, textures and colours in the limestone at the rock face.
Subterranean Trail (Class 4 – 2km return. 1.5 hours) The adventurous can scramble over the rocks to take a sometimes chilly and occasionally deep wade through several permanent pools within the tunnel to the other side of the Napier Range. A torch and shoes are required to avoid hazards overhead and underfoot. Near the center of the cave the roof has collapsed and is an excellent place to observe the colony of flying foxes that roosts in the trees just inside the cave during the day.
Lennard River Gorge Walk trail (Class 4 – 3km return. 2 hours) Unlike the geology of Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek, Lennard River Gorge is part of the King Leopold Range. One side of the gorge is Leopold sandstone, and the other is dolorite. The 3km (return) walk from the car park takes you along a creek line and then up onto the King Leopold sandstone before culminating in a lookout where the falls can be viewed.
Below Agile wallaby. Below right Lennard River Gorge. Windjana Gorge National Park The legend of Jandamarra Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Lillimooloora Station and the surrounding lands are the setting for the legend of Jandamarra and the resistance of the Bunuba people against European settlers. For three years, Jandamarra led a guerrilla war against the malngarri (European settlers) and police. He frequently ambushed cattleman and police camps to gain arms and Tunnel Creek National Park supplies for the remaining Bunuba people. The Bunuba The Gorge Trail. Above Tunnel Creek. Left Black flying foxes. Below left Tunnel View Trail. people’s raids and ambushes were so effective that it kept the settlers at bay and became a major issue for the colony, Walk trails Services and facilities eliciting bloody massacres of Bunuba and other Aboriginal Several walk trails provide opportunities to view the Gorge An information shelter, picnic tables and toilets are provided people in the region. and other park features. Be sure to take adequate drinking near the entrance. water and sun protection. “To police troopers, he became almost ghostlike. His tracks Universal access is applicable to toilets only. were often sighted but nowhere was he seen. It was as though the land itself had swallowed him. And in a sense The Time Walk Wildlife it had, for Jandamarra and the Bunuba people knew every (Class 3 – 2km return. 1 hour) cave, every secret tunnel and crevice that riddled the rocky At least six species of bat are known to use the caves within This is a relatively easy walk over undulating ground with ranges,” Banjo Woorunmurra and Howard Pedersen. Tunnel Creek. These include the northern cave bat, the some rocky and sandy sections. Take a journey back in common bent-wing bat and the rare ghost bat, Australia’s only We remember Jandamarra as a great warrior, and as a clever time through the Age of Fishes; discover relics of the super carnivorous bat that preys on frogs, lizards, small birds and and courageous leader who defended our country against continent Gondwana and descendants of the dinosaurs and mammals including other bats. The yellow-lipped bat, found overwhelming odds. We also remember him as a Jalgangurru, the mega fauna. only in the Kimberley, has been little studied but appears to be a man bestowed with spiritual powers that flowed from the a strict cave dweller. The orange leaf-nosed bat named for its timeless law of our country, who could disappear, transform The Savannah Walk golden fur prefers limestone caves that provide warmth and into a bird and shield himself from deadly weapons. (Excerpt (Class 3 – 1km return. 30 minutes) humidity to help maintain its body temperature when resting. from Jalangurru Muwayi – Bunuba Healthy Country Plan, Unlike other bats, orange leaf-nosed bats do not huddle An easy walk over mostly even ground helps you to get 2017-2027). together to keep warm. A colony of black flying foxes is known to know some of the plants and associated animals of the to roost where the roof of the tunnel has collapsed. During the The ruins of the Lillimooloora police outpost are accessible to savannah woodland community outside the gorge. visitors and located 3km from Windjana Gorge on the way to day, the tunnel provides a protected retreat. At dusk they leave Tunnel Creek. The Gorge Trail en masse to seek out the blossoms of woodland trees. (Class 4 –7km return. 2 to 3 hours) Freshwater crocodiles are sometimes seen in the tunnel where they feed on small fish, cherabun (crustacean), frogs Walk through the gorge during the dry season between April and insects. Rainbow fish, bony bream, spangled perch and and October. fork-tailed catfish are found in the pools. Birds such as the The trail is along the river bank adjacent to the sandy black bittern and nankeen night heron are sometimes seen riverbed and is mostly unmarked. There are occasionally just inside the mouth of the cave, looking for small fish and obstacles washed down in previous floods. A sign indicates cherabun. Nankeen kestrels are often seen and heard flying the end of the trail. Experience the profile of the Devonian about the cliffs at the entrance to the cave. Tunnel Creek is Reef and see how shade and soil moisture affect where also home to several python species. Lillimilura police outpost ruins. plants grow. Take plenty of drinking water (2L per person) and sun protection.
Walk trails Tunnel View Trail (Class 2 – 400m return. 30 minute) Take an easy stroll to the tunnel entrance to observe the patterns, textures and colours in the limestone at the rock face.
Subterranean Trail (Class 4 – 2km return. 1.5 hours) The adventurous can scramble over the rocks to take a sometimes chilly and occasionally deep wade through several permanent pools within the tunnel to the other side of the Napier Range. A torch and shoes are required to avoid hazards overhead and underfoot. Near the center of the cave the roof has collapsed and is an excellent place to observe the colony of flying foxes that roosts in the trees just inside the cave during the day.
Lennard River Gorge Walk trail (Class 4 – 3km return. 2 hours) Unlike the geology of Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek, Lennard River Gorge is part of the King Leopold Range. One side of the gorge is Leopold sandstone, and the other is dolorite. The 3km (return) walk from the car park takes you along a creek line and then up onto the King Leopold sandstone before culminating in a lookout where the falls can be viewed.
Below Agile wallaby. Below right Lennard River Gorge.