Drysdale River National Park is a vast natural reserve in the Kimberley region, known for its untouched wilderness.
It is located approximately 2,168 kilometres northeast of Perth, covering a large area south of Kalumburu and west of Wyndham.
Access to the park is challenging as there are no public roads or airstrips within its boundaries. Prior permission from the Kalumburu Aboriginal Corporation is required to enter the park. It is important to note that there are no food, fuel, or mechanical services available within the park or at Carson River Station.
The park showcases a variety of natural features, including open woodland, gorges, cliffs, pools, waterfalls, and creeks along the Drysdale River. Two notable waterfalls, Morgan Falls and Solea Falls, can be found in the park, along with smaller falls along the river.
Drysdale River National Park is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. There are approximately 600 plant species, including 30 aquatic and swamp varieties that thrive in the permanent pools along the Drysdale and Carson Rivers. The park also boasts 25 species of fern, including two that are unique to the area. Visitors can expect to see a wide array of wildlife, including over 100 bird species, sugar gliders, bats, wallabies, and saltwater crocodiles.
The area has a rich history and cultural significance, with the Ngarinjin, Miwa, and Wilawila peoples being the traditional owners of the land. The first European to visit the area was a surveyor named CA Burrowes in 1886. The park was officially gazet