The
Banyjima, Innawonga and Kurrama Aboriginal people, the traditional owners
call the Hamersley Range Karijini. The name of the park recognises
the historic and continuing significance of the area to these people, and
their involvement in park management.
Evidence of their ancestor's occupation dates
back more than 20,000 years. During that period, Aboriginal land
management practices such as 'fire stick farming', resulting in a
diversity of vegetation types and stages of succession, have helped
determine the nature of the plants and animals found in the park today.
The banded iron formations in many
of the rocks in and around gorges originated more than 2,500 million years
ago as iron and silica-rich sediment deposits that accumulated on an
ancient sea-floor.
Over millions of years, these
iron-rich deposits were transformed by
the pressure of further sediments laid down over them, forcing trapped
water to be driven out and gradually turning the sediments into tough,
well-bedded rock.
Horizontal compression later caused
the rocks to buckle, developing numerous vertical cracks, before lifting
to the surface to form dry land.
A sharp drop in sea-level caused the
rivers to cut down rapidly through the land, creating sheer-sided gorges;
this, combined with millions of years of erosion, has sculptured the rocks
into the present landscape.
The park's
climate can best be described as semi-desert. A highly variable, mainly
summer rainfall of 250-350 millimetres, often associated with
thunderstorms and cyclones, is accompanied by temperatures frequently
topping 40°Celsius.
The ideal times to visit the park are winter and spring.
Winter days are warm and clear, but nights are cold and sometimes frosty.
In the north of the
park, small creek beds, hidden in the rolling hillsides and dry for most
of the year, suddenly plunge down chasms up to 100 metres deep.
Farther downstream, the gorges become wider and
their sides
change from sheer cliff to steep slopes of loose rock. Finally, the
drainage systems emerge as alluvial fans into the Fortescue Valley.
The gorges provide a refreshing retreat from the
arid plains above.
Take one of many walk trails and experience the
spectacular scenery, dramatic waterfalls and fresh pools.
Wildflowers
vary in abundance with the seasons and from year to year, but there is
always something interesting in flower.
Many plants in the park bloom profusely after
rains.
In the cooler months, the land is covered with
sennas (cassias) and acacias, northern bluebells and purple mulla-mullas.
Birds are many and varied, especially in fringing
vegetation along pools and streams.
If you are observant, you may encounter red
kangaroos, euros (kangaroos that are common to the rocky country),
Rothschild's rock wallaby, bats and dingoes.
Many species of native marsupial carnivores such
as the Pilbara ninguai are resident, but nocturnal and shy.
Reptiles such as frogs, geckoes, goannas,
dragons, legless lizards, pythons and other snakes abound within the park.
Two interesting wildlife homes are the large
termite mounds, scattered throughout the hummock grasslands, and the rock
piles of the pebble mound mouse.
Look for mouse mounds on stony slopes, but please
do not disturb them.
Please pay your entry fees at the
entrance stations or, before visiting the park, at CALM offices (see
addresses below), or the local tourist bureau.
At the camping areas,
please deposit your camping fees in the collection boxes provided.
Rubbish
Please help us by taking your rubbish with you.
Important
Generators must be turned off overnight between 9.00pm and
7.00am.
Please make sure your activities do not spoil the
enjoyment of others.
Water
Untreated water is available from tanks located at those
sites indicated above.
Carry plenty of water at all times.
Lookouts
Lookout structures have been installed at a number of
sites. Please stay behind the barriers.
Never throw rocks into the gorges, as people may be
walking below.
Swimming
In most gorges you will find permanent pools of clear,
fresh water. Some are deep, shaded and very cold, while others, exposed to
the sun, may be pleasant places for a quick dip.
Take care, as the water is extremely cold, especially
between April and September, and hypothermia can occur.
Check depths before jumping or diving into a pool.
Stay on roads and trails to protect the environment. Wet roads are
slippery and easily damaged. Washouts can occur during heavy rain,
resulting in road closures.
Be
careful
Avoid the risk of wildfire. Use the gas barbecues provided, or your
portable cooking appliance. Ground fires are not permitted.
Be kind
Do not disturb animals, plants, or rocks. Pets and firearms are not
permitted.
Be clean
Go to the toilet before entering the gorges. Carry a rubbish bag and
leave nothing but your footprints.
Be wise
Do not contaminate pools with soap, detergents and/or sunscreen, as
they kill aquatic life.
.The expansive Parkoffers
spectacular, rugged scenery, ancient geological formations, a variety of
arid-land ecosystems and a range of recreational experiences.
If you decide to tackle any of the walks within
the park, please take great care—the gorges can be extremely hazardous.
Many of them are only recommended for the physically fit and you must
notify a ranger before starting any of the longer ones.
Circular
Pool
It is a loose, steep descent, then an easy ramble to the hidden
gardens of Circular Pool. (800 m return.) This is an arduous walk,
so you must allow at least 2 hours return.
Dales
Gorge
A 4-kilometre return trail runs along the bottom of the gorge.
Allow 3 hours for the return walk.
Gorge
Rim Walk and Circular Pool Lookout
A 1.2-kilometre return trail runs along the rim of Dales Gorge.
Fortescue
Falls
Walk down through the changing vegetation of the iron-rich gorge walls
to the park's only permanent waterfall. (800 metres, 2-hour return
walk.)
Hancock
Gorge
Journey to the 'centre of the Earth' down this steep, narrow gorge.
Feel the highly polished rock on the way down to Kermit's Pool. (1.5
kilometres, 3-hour return walk.)
Kalamina
Gorge
There is a 30-minute return walk into the gorge's lush, shaded
pool. Alternatively, walk within the gorge along a stream and small ponds (3
hours return).
Mt
Bruce
Spectacular views from the top of the second tallest peak in WA,
called Bunurrunha by the Aboriginal people. There are three walks of
varying lengths and difficulty: Marandoo View is 500 metres and takes 30 minutes return.
Honey Hakea Track is 4.6 kilometres and takes at least 3 hours return.
The walk to Mt Bruce Summit is 9 kilometres and takes at least 6 hours
for the return trip. This walk is recommended only
for fit and experienced walkers.
Joffre
Gorge
A short track runs from the car park to the lookout overlooking the
falls, which are usually dry, and the plunge pool at their base. (100
metres, 10 minutes return.) Follow the marked route into the bottom of
the gorge to the first pool downstream of the waterfall. (3 kilometres,
3-hour return walk.)
Red
Gorge
Access into this gorge is via Knox, Joffre or Hancock Gorges.
Rangers must be notified before entering it.
Weano
Gorge
A walk trail takes you down the steep descent into Weano Gorge and
through the bottom of the gorge to Handrail Pool (300 m return). Please
tell the ranger if you intend to walk past this point.
the pressure of further sediments laid down over them, forcing trapped
water to be driven out and gradually turning the sediments into tough,
well-bedded rock.
change from sheer cliff to steep slopes of loose rock. Finally, the
drainage systems emerge as alluvial fans into the Fortescue Valley.
