Kimberley Attractions
The tropical north of Western Australia was long regarded as a land for tough characters and adventurers, determined gold prospectors and explorers. In this region there are only two seasons, not the usual four as in the south. The hot and sultry summer months (the 'wet') with their violent showers of rain and abundantly flowing rivers are followed by the rainless winter (the 'dry'), which is the best time to visit the north.
The landscape is patterned by ranges of ancient hills and depressions in the mighty river systems of the Fitzroy in the west and the Ord in the east. Characteristic features are the boab trees with their ability to store water. The great tourist attractions of the Kimberley are the wild gorges. The rock walls of the 10km long Geikie Gorge show a varying play of color, depending on the position of the sun. Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge (a sacred place to the Aborigines) are now under statutory protection as national parks.
Western Australia's gold rush began in 1885 in Halls Creek, which preserves some remains from that period. A few kilometers from the town is the China Wall, a quartz formation exposed by erosion. 130km south of Halls Creek - best seen from the air - is the Wolfe Creek meteorite crater, which is over 850m in diameter and 50m deep.
Most of Western Australia's Aborigines live in the Kimberley region, in large self-governing Aboriginal reserves which can be visited only with special permission.
The landscape is patterned by ranges of ancient hills and depressions in the mighty river systems of the Fitzroy in the west and the Ord in the east. Characteristic features are the boab trees with their ability to store water. The great tourist attractions of the Kimberley are the wild gorges. The rock walls of the 10km long Geikie Gorge show a varying play of color, depending on the position of the sun. Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge (a sacred place to the Aborigines) are now under statutory protection as national parks.
Western Australia's gold rush began in 1885 in Halls Creek, which preserves some remains from that period. A few kilometers from the town is the China Wall, a quartz formation exposed by erosion. 130km south of Halls Creek - best seen from the air - is the Wolfe Creek meteorite crater, which is over 850m in diameter and 50m deep.
Most of Western Australia's Aborigines live in the Kimberley region, in large self-governing Aboriginal reserves which can be visited only with special permission.
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Wolfe Creek Crater National Park
1500ha.
The central feature of Wolfe Creek National Park is a gigantic meteorite crater 850m in diameter. In this flat and arid desert region there has been little erosion, and the rim of the crater, 50m high, is therefore well preserved. Wind-blown sand has partly filled up the interior of the crater.
The crater is named after Wolfe Creek, a winding (usually dry) river to the east.
The central feature of Wolfe Creek National Park is a gigantic meteorite crater 850m in diameter. In this flat and arid desert region there has been little erosion, and the rim of the crater, 50m high, is therefore well preserved. Wind-blown sand has partly filled up the interior of the crater.
The crater is named after Wolfe Creek, a winding (usually dry) river to the east.
Department of Conservation and Land Management Kimberley Regional Office
Box 942
Kununurra, WA 6743
Australia
Box 942
Kununurra, WA 6743
Australia
Fitzroy Crossing, Australia
Fitzroy Crossing (pop. 1030) is a convenient stopover for visitors to Geikie Gorge National Park.
During the season there are boat trips on the river.
During the season there are boat trips on the river.
Geikie Gorge National Park
Geikie Gorge National Park is of great geological interest. During the Devonian period, 350 million years ago, a reef 1000km long and 20km wide was formed in a huge tropical sea (Geikie Gorge is now more than 300km from the sea). In the course of time the Fitzroy, a perennial river flowing throughout the year, cut deep into the limestone of the former reef, carving out an impressive gorge and exposing the various fossil-bearing strata and rock formations. Most of the gorge is closed to the public; only a narrow strip on the west bank of the river is accessible.
During the winter the Fitzroy is a quiet river, but in the tropical summer it turns into a raging torrent over 16m deep and the national park is flooded to a depth of up to 7m.
The river is bordered by dense greenery, tropical paperbark trees, river red gums and freshwater mangroves. This area is the home of a rich and varied fauna, including flying foxes and numerous water birds. The freshwater crocodiles, often to be seen on sandbanks in the river, are unlikely to seek human prey. Two unexpected species are the sawfish and the sting ray, saltwater fish which have adapted to life in the Fitzroy River. The marksman fish literally shoots down its insect prey by projecting a stream of water at its target.
The best place for swimming is at the junction of the Margaret River with the Fitzroy, where there is usually a long sandbank. Swimming is not allowed on the east bank.
Flat-bottomed tourist boats sail through the gorge twice daily, offering excellent opportunities for observing wildlife.
There is a walking trail along the west bank of the river to the west rock face before the beginning of the gorge. The variegated strata in the walls of the gorge are reflected in the calm waters of the river, particularly at sunrise and sunset.
(Kimberley)
3100ha (mostly a wildlife sanctuary closed to the public).Geikie Gorge National Park is of great geological interest. During the Devonian period, 350 million years ago, a reef 1000km long and 20km wide was formed in a huge tropical sea (Geikie Gorge is now more than 300km from the sea). In the course of time the Fitzroy, a perennial river flowing throughout the year, cut deep into the limestone of the former reef, carving out an impressive gorge and exposing the various fossil-bearing strata and rock formations. Most of the gorge is closed to the public; only a narrow strip on the west bank of the river is accessible.
During the winter the Fitzroy is a quiet river, but in the tropical summer it turns into a raging torrent over 16m deep and the national park is flooded to a depth of up to 7m.
The river is bordered by dense greenery, tropical paperbark trees, river red gums and freshwater mangroves. This area is the home of a rich and varied fauna, including flying foxes and numerous water birds. The freshwater crocodiles, often to be seen on sandbanks in the river, are unlikely to seek human prey. Two unexpected species are the sawfish and the sting ray, saltwater fish which have adapted to life in the Fitzroy River. The marksman fish literally shoots down its insect prey by projecting a stream of water at its target.
The best place for swimming is at the junction of the Margaret River with the Fitzroy, where there is usually a long sandbank. Swimming is not allowed on the east bank.
Flat-bottomed tourist boats sail through the gorge twice daily, offering excellent opportunities for observing wildlife.
There is a walking trail along the west bank of the river to the west rock face before the beginning of the gorge. The variegated strata in the walls of the gorge are reflected in the calm waters of the river, particularly at sunrise and sunset.
Department of Conservation and Land Management Kimberley District Broome Office
Box 65
Broome, WA 6725
Australia
Box 65
Broome, WA 6725
Australia
Hours
April 1 to November 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 6:30 | 6:30 | 6:30 | 6:30 | 6:30 | 6:30 | 6:30 |
| Close | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 |
Best time to visit: winter and spring.
Access via Great Northern Highway, turn-off for Fitzroy Crossing.
Hours listed are for gorge river cruises.
