Windjana Gorge


Useful Information

Location: Windjana Gorge National Park, Kimberleys, Western Australia.
Along Leopold Downs Road which connects the Great Northern Highway and the Gibb River Road close to Derby.
Open: no restrictions.
[2008]
Fee: free.
[2008]
Classification: GorgeGorge
Light: n/a
Dimension: L=3,500 m.
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History


Description

Windjana Gorge is one of the famous Kimberly gorges, dry most of the year, but reactivated in some years during the wet season, after one of the occasional rains. It is well known and much visited, by both guided tours and individual tourists. The Lennard River carved into the rocks of the Napier Range, Devonian reef limestones of white, grey and red colours. The walls on both sides are between 30 m and 100 m high, the gorge is some 100m wide.

At the beginning of the dry season it would be possible to canoe the whole length of the gorge. However, the gorge is protected and canoing is not allowed any more. But during the dry period the water recedes quickly and soon only some permanent pools of water remain. During this time the gorge may be visited on a 3.5 kilometre long trail.

The gorge has numerous freshwater crocodiles, which make the trip at least "interesting". Bathing in the permanent pools is only for very brave (and probably very stupid) tourists. However, freshwater crocodiles are comparably harmless, as they normally do not stalk or attack trespassers. Nevertheless, we recommend to stay away.