Miluwindi Conservation Park is known for its spectacular Lennard Gorge.
With respect and acknowledgement to the native title holders, the former King Leopold Ranges Conservation Park has officially been renamed with the Aboriginal name for the area. As the park crosses over lands of both Bunuba and Wilinggin people, the park has been divided into two conservation parks.
These parks showcase the 560-million-year-old mountain ranges that extend for some 300km from Walcott Inlet to the Margaret River, about 100km west of Halls Creeks. The ranges themselves are now referred to as the Wunaamin Miliwundi ranges, combining both Wilinggin word ‘Wunaamin’ and Bunuba word ‘Miliwundi’ to specifically name the mountain ranges. Note the difference in spelling between Miluwindi Conservation Park and Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges. This is explained by Bunuba people having different variations and pronunciations of the word for nearby areas. For example, Miluwindi is the area the conservation park is located, while Miliwundi is the name of the mountain range that is located within Bunuba country.
The conservation park south of the Gibb River Road is Bunuba country and is now renamed Miluwindi Conservation Park. Other parks jointly managed with Bunuba include Danggu Geikie Gorge, Bandilngan Windjana Gorge and Dimalurru Tunnel Creek National Parks.
“Bunuba people and country are deeply connected through heir law and culture which is derived from Ngarranggani (creation time). Ngarranggani stories and Junba (song-lines, dance and song) are passed down from generation to generation. Country is believed to be kept alive through the law and cultural practices of Bunuba people, and Bunuba people are kept healthy, spiritually, physically and emotionally by practicing law and culture.” (Jalangurru Manyjawarra Bunuba Muwayi Yarrangu, Draft join management plan 2019).
Visitors to Miluwindi Conservation Park marvel at the spectacular Lennard Gorge and the incredible folded and faulted scenic rock formations of the ranges along the Gibb River Road. The jagged hogback scarps were shaped by tremendous geological forces.
Access is four-wheel drive only and closed during the wet season, when roads are impassable, but the waterfalls, which are swollen after the rains, can be viewed by aerial tours from Derby and Broome. Day visitors to Lennard Gorge often camp at Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge), Dalandi (Silent Grove), or the privately operated Mount Hart Wilderness Lodge.
Your safety It’s great to escape everyday life and visit?a park or reserve in WA. It is also important to us that you return safely to your family and friends.? Always remember it is?really important?to plan when to visit. Read this safety information about bushwalking. Consider traveling with a personal location beacon (PLB). In the event you need to be rescued it could save your life! |
Crocodile safety
When you are entering the Kimberley or Pilbara regions, you are entering crocodile country. Two species of crocodile occur in Western Australia: the estuarine (or saltwater) crocodile and the freshwater crocodile. The estuarine crocodile is the largest living reptile and is considered to be a dangerous predator. Freshwater crocodiles are smaller and not as aggressive. Freshwater crocodiles inhabit waterways in the Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges. Saltwater crocodiles have not been known to occur in the area but this may change in the future as crocodile populations increase and wet season floods enable movement into other water systems.
Be CROCWISE in Western Australia’s north and download our Crocodile safety and myth-busting factsheet and Crocodile brochure. For more information visit Be CROCWISE.
This information was provided by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions: dpaw.wa.gov.au