Windjana Gorge National Park Park

Address: Windjana Gorge National Park, Derby Highway, Kimberley Region, Western Australia

Website: https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/windjana-gorge

Hours: Day-use access: Dawn-dusk (check local ranger guidance for seasonal variations)

Admission: Park entry is free; fees apply for some tours and camping. Check Parks and Wildlife Service for updated fees.

Windjana Gorge National Park is a protected river gorge in the Kimberley region of Western Australia carved through the Napier Range. The park preserves a dramatic limestone gorge with a meandering river corridor and important wildlife habitat.

Visitors walk along the gorge floor between towering limestone walls and can often see freshwater crocodiles and a variety of birdlife concentrated along the watercourse. The main gorge runs for a few kilometres and has flat walking access along the riverbed that is popular for day visits.

The gorge has formed where the Lennard River cuts through an ancient reef system of Devonian limestone, producing near-vertical rock walls and fossil-bearing strata. The park is managed for both conservation and public access.

Windjana Gorge lies inland in the Kimberley, accessed from the Gibb River Road corridor; it is remote compared with Western Australia’s southern population centres and is visited mainly as part of Kimberley touring routes.

• Geology and formation: The gorge is carved through the Napier Range, an ancient Devonian limestone reef, creating a river corridor with steep rock walls.
• Wildlife and access: Freshwater crocodiles are commonly seen in the river channel, and the walk along the gorge floor is typically accessible on well-formed paths for several kilometres.

Windjana Gorge is about 157 km east of Derby via the Gibb River Road and local station roads. Visitors usually reach it by 4WD from Derby or Broome; during the dry season many operators run day tours. Road conditions vary-check local signage and Park and Wildlife Service notices before travelling.

• Arrive at low tide to walk the Gorge floor-high tide can restrict access to sections of the river.
• Carry insect repellent in the wet season; flies and mosquitoes are abundant near water.
• Bring water and sun protection-shade is limited along some trails.
• Allow time to watch freshwater crocodiles basking on the ledges (they are generally shy but keep a respectful distance).