Karlamilyi (Rudall River) NP
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Overview
Join us as we head to the very remote, harsh, yet beautiful Karlamilyi (Rudall River) National Park, situated approximately 400 km east of Newman in Western Australia’s Great Sandy Desert. This is truly one of the most remote wilderness areas in the world.
At 1,283,706 hectares, the park is the largest in Western Australia and includes the watershed of the Rudall River. Vegetation in the park is a mixture of desert Bloodwood, Feathertop Spinifex, Kanji and Cork tree with River Red Gums and Coolabah trees found on the river flats. After a good rain, there are also many wildflowers (Mulla Mullas, Grevilleas, Sturt’s Desert Pea and Hakea’s) that add their 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 plus an assortment of honeyeaters come to drink at the pools. The White-winged Fairy-wren can also be seen, and in good seasons, Crimson Chats and Button-quail are found 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 call the park home, but other larger mammals seem to have disappeared over time.
Our trip will take us northwards through New Norcia, Paynes Find, Meekatharra, Newman and onto the national park via the Talawana Track. Entering the Rudall River 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 where we will explore the many natural wonders, including Kalkan Kalkan Soak, Tjingkulatjatjarra Pool and Curran Curran Rockhole. We then continue on to Desert Queen Baths for 2 nights. There is plenty of time here to enjoy this magnificent waterhole and its wildlife.
We then travel westwards along the Telfer Road to Carawine Gorge and the Oakover River, which will be our campsite for two nights. where we will have plenty of time to really enjoy the natural beauty and birdlife. Here, we will 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 for a well earned hot shower before turning north to Broome.
Itinerary
| Day 1 | Broome to De Grey River | Early today you will be picked up early 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. Just after morning tea we will turn off the main road and start heading inland. After Passing through the abandoned town of Shay Gap we will arrive at our campsite for the 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 a 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 a true taste of country life. Accommodation: Campsite BL |
| Day 3 | Marble Bar to Carawine Gorge | Today we east through the Ripon Hills to Carawine Gorge which is located right on the banks of the Oakover River. This will be our home for the next two nights. 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 wetland known as Running Waters. This paperbark-fringed waterway is ideal for a walk and a swim before we return to Carawine Gorge. 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. This pool was visited by William Rudall during his search for the last members of the ‘Calvert Expedition’. A two-kilometre walk takes us to an aboriginal art site under a rocky overhang. 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 suitable recent rainfall then the wildflowers should be abundant and as usual, we will stop for this and birding opportunities. On arrival at our campsite, we will set up camp and then start our exploration of the area. |
| Day 7 & 8 | Desert Queen Baths | We will spend the next two days exploring the rocky pools and aboriginal art sites in the area. 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 to head south along the Kintyre Track to our campsite at a water hole located 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 areas such as 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 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 camping tonight. 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: Campsite 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: Campsite BLD |
| Day 15 | Paynes Find to Perth | Today we will conclude our journey with our final leg into Perth. Along the way, we will travel through the wheat town of Dalwallinu and the monastic town of New Norcia. 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
Tour Full - Please contact us
Inclusions
- 14 Breakfasts, 15 Lunches, 12 Dinners
- Two well-maintained 4WD vehicles
- 2 crew members – a Naturalist/Driver Guide and Driver/Cook
- Easy-to-erect tents and camp chairs with armrests
- A self-inflating air mattress and stretcher bed
- Campsite fees
- All eating utensils
- Morning tea daily
- All national park entrance fees
- 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.