In summary, major national parks in Western Australia’s Kimberley region are set to reopen this week after being devastated by record flooding. Famous parks include Bell Gorge, Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek, which attract thousands of visitors to the area each year. Next? Danggu Yixi remains closed, but there are hopes it may reopen later this year.
Some of Western Australia’s most important national parks are set to reopen for the first time since they were destroyed in the worst flooding disaster in the state’s history.
Last year’s record flooding in the central Kimberley forced residents of Fitzroy Crossing and surrounding areas to evacuate, flooded homes and resulted in the complete closure of Fitzroy Bridge, a key transport link for the region. Reconstruction took place.
The knock-on effect on tourism was significant, with many of the region’s attractions remaining closed as access roads and infrastructure were rebuilt.
Danggu Gorge will remain closed for restoration works, but the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Tourism (DBCA) has confirmed that much of the national park in the western Kimberley will reopen on April 24 ahead of the dry season. confirmed.
On Wednesday, Silent Grove (Dhurundi), Bell Valley (Darmani), Lenard Valley, Windjana Valley (Bandirungan) and Tunnel Creek (Dimalur) will open.
On April 29, the Mt Hart (Walala Mindi) site will also reopen to visitors.
The Kimberley’s many natural attractions, including Bell Gorge, attract people from all over Australia. (Courtesy of Steve Kelsall)
The once-in-a-century flood that occurred in the area last January caused major damage to the infrastructure of Danggu Park and Bandirgan Park, leading to their closure in 2023.
DBCA Parks and Tourism Services Regional Leader Sarah Mullineux said the reopening of Windjana Valley was exciting for the region.
“We’re really pleased that Windjana Gorge will be open for camping and day use this year. There’s still quite a bit of growth and some changes to the trail,” she said.
“We just ask people to stay on the trails and walk carefully and lightly during their visit.”
Bandirgan Windjana Valley receives 20,000 visitors annually. (ABC Kimberley: Erin Park)
Mullineux said it’s difficult to predict how many people will visit the park this year.
“Over the last few years, we have seen people who were unable to travel to the Kimberley recover and come back post-COVID,” she said.
“People can now go abroad and extend their holidays to other locations.
“It’s hard to really know how many visitors we’ll be able to receive.”
Tangguyi Gorge under restoration work
Ms Mullinux said the infrastructure at Dangguyi Gorge had been completely destroyed by flooding, making it the only Kimberley park to remain closed this season.
“Long-term planning for the area is also progressing with the traditional owners and we are looking at what visitor facilities for that park will look like in the future,” she said.
“We’re hoping to open something for day use this year, but we don’t know when that will happen yet.”
Danggu Valley National Park lost 37 hectares of land and all its infrastructure to the Fitzroy floods. (Courtesy: DBCA)
Ms Mullineux said there was still work to be done at the site to ensure it was safe for future visitors.
“We’re seeing quite a change in the water, but there’s still a lot of debris and the riverbank is almost completely gone in parts,” she said.
The East Kimberley facility will follow suit.
In the East Kimberley, Purnululu National Park and Campground will open on May 1st, followed by Mitchell River National Park.
Mr Mullineux said road access to Purnululu Park was being completed ahead of its reopening next month.
“There was a bit of damage to the road after wet weather activity in the second half of March, so graders are currently on site finishing the internal road network and making sure it is safe for visitors. ” she said. she said.
Purnululu National Park, located in the eastern Kimberley, is one of Western Australia’s top attractions. (Courtesy of Gary Annett)
Mullineux believes the national park should be on every traveler’s list to explore the region’s nature.
“The Kimberley is a really unique environment with rugged terrain, and people come for the remote experience,” she says.
“It’s something very special for people to be able to do that, and to be able to preserve what is important to all the people who live here, which is the unique values of the Kimberley.”
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