National parks Western Australia Western Australia has some 65 National Parks, all of them offering impressive sights of nature at its best. Koalas, cliffs, dense forests, quokka’s, dolphins will keep you occupied for days. Most national parks ask an entrance fee for cars. It might be an option to buy one of the passes that gives access to all national parks in WA. You can choose the duration the pass is valid yourself. The Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, near Exmouth, is an excellent diving spot where you can enjoy the miracles of water-wonderland .
Yanchep National Park A natural bushland with a colony of koalas, some good limestone caves, and a lake called Loch McNess. You can walk the Yaberoo Budjara Aboriginal Heritage Trail.
Ningaloo Reef Marine Park The Ningaloo Reef is a smaller, more accesible version of the Great Barrier Reef. In places it is less that 100 meters offshore! Within the marine park there are eight protected zones where fishing is banned. In the park well over 200 species of coral alone have been recorded, and the rest of the flora and fauna is spectacular as well. Higlights include the mass spawning of coral eight or nine nights after the full moon in March, the passing of humpback whales in June/July and October/November, the whale sharks that stop to feed along the reef every year and the egg-laying of turtles between November and January.
Gibson Desert Nature Reserve
Collier Range National Park Located in the Pilbara, Collier Range is a rather isolated Park. The ranges vary from low hills to high ridges and cliffs.
Goongarrie National Park
Kennedy Range National park
Millstream Chichester National Park This park in a semi-arid enviroment features a number of freshwater pools. These include Python Pool, once an oasis for Afghani camel drivers, and Chinderwarinner Pool, with palms (including the unique Millstream palm) and lilies. In Millstream Homestead, the information centre, you can get information on the ecosystem and the lifestyle of the Yinjibarndi people. There are several walking and driving trails in the park, as well as some good, basic camp sites (tel.:9184 5144).
Rudall River National park An incredibly beautiful desert region 300 km east of Newman. The best time to visit is July/August, when daytime temperatures are still tolarable. Keep in mind that the nights can be very cold though. There are no facilities in this park, so visitors must be self-sufficient. At least two vehicles with HF radios are needed for off-road trips.
Frank Hahn National park
Stirling Range National Park The abrubtly out of the flat plains rising Stirling Range is noted for its spectacular colourings, from reds trough blues to purples. The area is also known for its fauna and flora, the Stirling Bells are a magnificent sight when in bloom.
Karijin National Park Karijin National Park is abundant with spectacular gorges with varied colours and impressive rock formations. There are several great walks you can take on your own, or in an organised tour. The visitors centre in the south-east of the park (junction of Juna Downs, Joffre Falls and Yampire Gorge tel.: 014-511 1285) can give you all the information you will need.
