OVERVIEW
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 near Shay Gap. We then travel via Marble Bar 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 also explore the natural wonder of Walga Rock.
Itinerary
| Day 1 | Broome to Shay Gap Area | 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. Accommodation: Bush Camp LD |
| Day 2 | Shay Gap Area to Carawine Gorge | After breakfast, we will depart and head to our next destination, Carawine Gorge. We will call into Marble Bar for fuel before 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 3 | 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 4 | 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 5 | Christmas Pool to Desert Queen Baths | This morning, we continue south and head to Desert Queen Baths within Karlamilyi National Park. The baths are 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 |
| Days 6 & 7 | 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 8 | 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 9 | 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 10 | Rudall River to Newman | Today ends our time in Karlamilyi NP 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 to take a long- awaited shower. We will also dine at the hotel restaurant tonight (at your own expense). Accommodation: Newman Hotel BL |
| Day 11 | 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 12 | Gascoyne River to Nallan Station | After breakfast, we will head towards our campsite at Nallan Station, which is just north of the historic gold mining town of Cue. Accommodation: Campsite BLD |
| Day 13 | Cue to Paynes Find | On the way to Paynes Find, we will pass through Cue and then visit the ghost town of Big Bell and the natural wonder of Walga Rock, one of the largest monolith rocks in Australia, before travelling through the mining town of Mount Magnet. Accommodation: Unit BLD |
| Day 14 | 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
Limited Places available
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.
