Karlamilyi (Rudall River) National Park

DAYS
15
Style
Camping
EX
Broome – Perth
From
$7,325.00

OVERVIEW

Next Tour: 18th July - 1st August 2024

KARLAMILYI RUDALL RIVER NATIONAL PARK, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Join us on tour as we head to the very remote yet beautiful Karlamilyi (Rudall River) National Park. Situated approximately 400 km east of Newman in Western Australia’s Great Sandy Desert, this is one of the most remote wilderness areas in the world. At 1,283,706 hectares, the park is the largest in Western Australia.

Vegetation in the park combines desert Bloodwood, Feathertop Spinifex, Kanji and Cork trees. River Red Gums and Coolabah trees are found on the river flats. After a good rain, wildflowers also appear (Mulla Mullas, Grevillea’s, Sturt’s Desert Pea and Hakea’s), adding their beautiful colours to the landscape. 

WILDLIFE IN KARLAMILYI NATIONAL PARK

Over 90 species of birds have been recorded in the park. Most are located around the river and in streams. Many of the species reflect the more arid areas of Australia; Spinifex Pigeons, Painted Finches, Peregrine and Brown Falcons. An assortment of honeyeaters also come to drink at the pools. The White-winged Fairy-wren can also be seen, and in good seasons, Crimson Chats and Button-quail can be spotted in the area.

Seventeen mammals have been recorded in the park, mainly small creatures such as the Hairy-footed Dunnart and the Spinifex Hopping Mouse. Camels and dingoes can be found, but other larger mammals seem to have disappeared over time.

JOURNEY FROM BROOME TO PERTH

Our trip begins as we head south to our campsite on the banks of the De Grey River, before we arrive in Marble Bar and explore the natural wonders found close to this historic town. We then travel to Carawine Gorge and the Oakover River. We will camp here for two nights and have plenty of time to enjoy the natural beauty and birdlife. We will also visit the remote waterhole known as Running Waters; surrounded by paperbarks, this is a fabulous spot to spend the day.

We then move on to Christmas Pool and Desert Queen Baths, before arriving in the national park and our campsite on the banks of the Rudall River. This will be our base for the next two nights. We will explore many natural wonders of the area, including Kalkan Kalkan Soak, Tjingkulatjatjarra Pool and Curran Curran Rockhole.

Leaving the park behind, we travel to Newman before starting our homeward trip to Perth. This journey south will take us through the outback towns of Cue, Mt Magnet and the ghost town of Big Bell, and we will explore the natural wonder of Walga Rock and the Dalgaranga Meteorite Crater.

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Extended Trip Details

Itinerary

Day 1

Broome to De Grey River

Early today you will be picked up from your chosen accommodation in Broome and our journey south will begin. As we travel through the Roebuck Plains, we will keep our eyes peeled for water and coastal birds. After morning tea, we will turn off the main road and head inland. After passing through the abandoned town of Shay Gap, we will arrive at our campsite on the banks of the De Grey River. Accommodation: Bush Camp LD
Day 2

De Grey River to Marble Bar

After breakfast, we will depart and head to our next destination, Marble Bar. We will arrive early afternoon and have lunch at Chinaman Pool before we explore the Jasper bar that gives the town its name. Tonight we will dine at the iconic Iron Clad Hotel (at your own expense) to get an authentic taste of country life. Accommodation: Campsite BL
Day 3

Marble Bar to Carawine Gorge

Today we travel east through the Ripon Hills to Carawine Gorge, located right on the banks of the Oakover River. Today's drive will offer spectacular views of the rolling Ripon Hills and is a dream for photographers. Our Carawine Gorge campsite, home for the next two nights, is located right on the water and is a great location for birdwatching. Accommodation: Bush Camp BLD
Day 4

Carawine Gorge to Running Waters to Carawine Gorge

A short drive takes us across the Oakover River to a shaded spring-fed wetland called Running Waters. This paperbark-fringed waterway is ideal for walking and swimming. We return to Carawine Gorge for the night. Accommodation: Bush Camp BLD
Day 5

Carawine Gorge to Christmas Pool

Today we will travel east along the well-maintained Telfer Road, before turning south on the Kintyre Track towards Christmas Pool. William Rudall visited this pool while searching for the last members of the ‘Calvert Expedition’. Accommodation Bush Camp BLD
Day 6

Christmas Pool to Desert Queen Baths

This morning we continue south and head to Desert Queen Baths - a series of pools in a spectacular rocky gorge in the Broadhurst Range. If there has been recent suitable rainfall, the wildflowers should be abundant, and as usual we will stop for this and other birding/wildlife opportunities. Upon arrival at our campsite, we will set up and start exploring the area. Accommodation: Bush Camp BLD
Day 7 & 8

Desert Queen Baths

We will spend the next two days exploring the area's rocky pools and aboriginal art sites. The main pool close to our camp is suitable for swimming. Accommodation: Bush Camp BLD
Day 9

Desert Queen Baths to Rudall River

Today we continue heading south along the Kintyre Track to our campsite at a water hole on the Rudall River. This will be our campsite for the next two nights. Accommodation: Bush Camp BLD
Day 10

Rudall River

Today we will explore Kalkan Kalkan Soak, Curran Curran Rock Hole and Tjingkulatjatjarra Pool (‘T’ Pool). There will be time to take short walks along the riverbed. The residual pools and billabongs are attractive to birds and other wildlife. Accommodation: Bush Camp BLD
Day 11

Rudall River to Newman

Today ends our time in Karlamilyi as we travel west down the Talawana Track towards Newman. In Newman, we will be staying at the Newman Hotel, which will be our first opportunity for a shower since Marble Bar. We will also dine at the hotel restaurant tonight (at your own expense). Accommodation: Newman Hotel BL
Day 12

Newman to Gascoyne River

Today we start our southward travels towards Perth. We will have an easy drive to the banks of the Gascoyne River, where we will be camping tonight. The Gascoyne is sometimes called the “upside-down river,” as it only flows above ground for roughly 120 days of the year. For the remaining days, it only flows below the dry river bed. Accommodation: Bush Camp BLD
Day 13

Gascoyne River to Cue

After breakfast, we will head to the historic gold mining town of Cue. From here, we will visit the ghost town of Big Bell and the natural wonder of Walga Rock, one of the largest monolith rocks in Australia. Accommodation: Bush Camp BLD
Day 14

Cue to Paynes Find

On the way to Paynes Find, we will visit the Dalgaranga Meteorite Crater before travelling through the mining town of Mount Magnet. Accommodation: Unit BLD
Day 15

Paynes Find Area to Perth

Today we conclude our journey with the final leg into Perth. Along the way, we will travel through the Wheatbelt town of Dalwallinu and the monastic town of New Norcia. Our adventure ends with our arrival in Perth, where you will be dropped off at your chosen central Perth accommodation. BL

NOTE: The above itinerary may be varied according to conditions and advice at the time.

availability

Tour Full - Please contact us

Inclusions

  • Two well-maintained 4WD vehicles;
  • Naturalist/Driver Guide;
  • Driver/Cook;
  • Easy-to-erect tents, camp chairs with armrests;
  • Self-inflating air mattress and stretcher bed;
  • All eating utensils;
  • Meals as per itinerary: breakfast (B), lunch (L), dinner(D);
  • Campsite fees;
  • Morning teas;
  • Fresh fruit on board daily;
  • All national park entrance fees & travel permits;
  • Tag Along Participants – If requested when bookingwe can supply tents, armchairs and eating utensils but they will need to be carried in your own vehicle.

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