Karlamilyi (Rudall River) NP
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Overview
Join us 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 is a mixture of desert Bloodwood, Feathertop Spinifex, Kanji and Cork tree. 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.
Over 90 species of bird 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 different 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.
Our trip will take us northwards through Meekatharra, Newman and onto the national park via the Talawana Track. Entering Karlamilyi National Park from the south, we head to 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. We then continue on to Desert Queen Baths.
Leaving the national park behind we move onto Christmas Pool. We then travel westwards along the Telfer Road 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.
Our journey from Carawine Gorge continues westwards to Marble Bar. We intend to explore the natural wonders found close to this historic town. Our homeward journey to Perth takes us via the outback towns of Meekatharra, Cue and Mt Magnet, as well as the ghost town of Big Bell and the natural wonder of Walga Rock.
Itinerary
| Day 1 | Perth - Mt Magnet Area | We depart Perth around 7.30am this morning and commence our journey north. We travel via the Great Northern Highway to our bush campsite in the Mt Magnet area. Accommodation: Bush Camp LD |
| Day 2 | Mt Magnet Area - Kumarina | Today we continue to travel north via Cue and Meekatharra. Cue has many impressive buildings erected during the gold rush while Meekatharra’s gold mining continues to this day (on a small scale). Tonight we will be camping at Kumarina road house. This will be our last opportunity for a shower before we head out into the bush tomorrow. Accommodation: Campsite BLD |
| Day 3 | Kumarina - Newman - Talawana track | We continue north to Newman. This will be our last opportunity to purchase supplies and contact home before leave the main road and head east via the Talawana Track. We move into the Little Sandy Desert and it’s associated sand dunes. Our camp tonight is in a grove of Desert Sheoak's. Accommodation: Bush Camp BLD |
| Day 4 | Talawana Track - Karlamilyi National Park | Today we arrive in the National Park and head north along the Kintyre Track. Our campsite for the next two nights will be at a water hole located on the Rudall River. Across the water hole from where we camp we will visit a quartz outcrop that glows in the setting sun. Accommodation: Bush Camp BLD |
| Day 5 | Karlamilyi National Park | Today we spend a full day in the national park to explore areas such as Kalkan Kalkan Soak, Curran Curran Rock Hole and and Tjingkulatjatjarra Pool (‘T’ Pool!). There will be time to take short walks along the riverbed and enjoy the birdlife along the residual pools and billabongs. Accommodation: Bush Camp BLD |
| Day 6 | Karlamilyi National Park - Desert Queen Baths | This morning we continue up the Kintyre Track and head to Desert Queen baths - a series of pools in a spectacular rocky gorge in the Broadhurst Range. If there has been sufficient recent rainfall, wildflowers should be abundant in this area and we hope to stop for this and other birding opportunities. On arrival at our campsite, we will set up camp and then start our exploration of the area. Accommodation: Bush Camp BLD |
| Day 7 | Desert Queen Baths | We will spend the day exploring the rocky pools and aboriginal art sites of this area. The main pool close to our camp is suitable for swimming and provides great refreshment after a long walk. This pool is also home to aboriginal rock paintings. Accommodation: Bush Camp BLD |
| Day 8 | Desert Queen Baths - Christmas Pool Area | Today we leave the National Park behind and head north to Christmas Pool. William Rudall visited this pool (and left his mark) during his search for the last members of the ‘Calvert Expedition’. Tonight we set up our bush camp in the area. Accommodation: Bush Camp BLD |
| Day 9 | Christmas Pool Area - Carawine Gorge | Today we head west along the Telfer Road to Carawine Gorge, located on the Oakover River. This will be our campsite for the next two days. This afternoon there will be plenty of time to discover the wildlife around the campsite. The permanent waters of the gorge makes it a hotspot for birdlife. Accommodation: Bush Camp BLD |
| Day 10 | Carawine Gorge - Running Waters - Carawine Gorge | A short drive takes us across the Oakover River to a shaded wetland known as Running Waters. This paperbark-fringed waterway is spring feed with crystal clear water. Ideal for a walking, bird watching or taking a swim before we return to Carawine Gorge. Accommodation: Bush Camp BLD |
| Day 11 | Carawine Gorge - Marble Bar | Our journey today takes us into Marble Bar, reputed to be the hottest town in Australia and famous for the banded red jasper bar across the Coongan River. There will be plenty of time here to explore the natural wonders of the area. There will also be time for a long overdue shower and a meal (at your own expense) at the local Iron Clad Hotel. Here, you will get a true taste of country life. Accommodation Camp site BL |
| Day 12 | Marble Bar - Area South of Newman | Today we will begin our homeward journey to Perth travelling through some spectacular Pilbara scenery, stopping regularly to make the most of our time. We will restock in Newman and then head south on the Great Northern Highway to our campsite. Accommodation: Bush Camp BLD |
| Day 13 | Campsite South of Newman - Cue | After breakfast we will continue to the historic gold mining town of Cue. There will be time this afternoon to look around the town exploring the history or to enjoy a cold drink in the local hotel. Accommodation: Campsite BLD |
| Day 14 | Cue - Mt Magnet - Paynes Find Area | From Cue we will visit the ghost town of Big Bell, abandoned in the 1950’s much of the town is gone however the ruins of some buildings remain including the spectacular Big Bell Hotel. We will also visit the natural wonder of Walga Rock (one of the largest monolith rocks in Australia) and the Dalgaranga Meteorite Crater. Accommodation: Campsite BLD |
| Day 15 | Paynes Find Area - Perth | Today we conclude our journey with the final leg into Perth. Along the way we will travel though 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 |
| NB: The above itinerary may be varied according to conditions and advice. |
availability
PLACES AVAILABLE ON 28 AUGUST 2021 DEPARTURE
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:
- B (breakfast), L (lunch), D (dinner);
- Campsite fees;
- Morning teas;
- Fresh fruit onboard daily;
- All national park entrance fees & travel permits;
- Tag Along Participants – If requested when booking we can supply tents, armchairs and eating utensils but they will need to be carried in your own vehicle.