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Danggu Gorge National Park

Coordinates: 18°04′38″S 125°42′49″E / 18.07722°S 125.71361°E / -18.07722; 125.71361
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Danggu (Geikie) Gorge National Park
Western Australia
Danggu Gorge
Danggu (Geikie) Gorge National Park is located in Western Australia
Danggu (Geikie) Gorge National Park
Danggu (Geikie) Gorge National Park
Map
Nearest town or cityFitzroy Crossing
Coordinates18°04′38″S 125°42′49″E / 18.07722°S 125.71361°E / -18.07722; 125.71361
Established1967
Area31.36 km2 (12.1 sq mi)[1]
Managing authorities
WebsiteDanggu (Geikie) Gorge National Park
See alsoList of protected areas of
Western Australia

Danggu (Geikie) Gorge National Park is a national park in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, 1,837 kilometres (1,141 mi) (great-circle distance) northeast of Perth and approximately 420 km (261 mi) east of Broome by road.

As of January 2024 it is closed owing to damage caused by flooding of the Fitzroy River in 2023.

Dan͟ggu Geikie Gorge

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Danggu Gorge National Park, Fitzroy River, 2007

Dan͟ggu Geikie Gorge (18°04′24″S 125°43′16″E / 18.0733°S 125.7212°E / -18.0733; 125.7212), formerly Geikie Gorge, is a feature of the Napier Range located within the National Park, 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Fitzroy Crossing. It is believed to be one of the best-known and most easily accessed gorges in the region.[2]

Along with Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge, Geikie Gorge is part of an ancient barrier reef that developed during the Devonian Period.[3] The walls of the gorge are 30 m (98 ft) high.[4] The 8-kilometre (5.0 mi) gorge was created by the flowing waters of the Fitzroy River,[5] which still flows through the region. Freshwater crocodiles, Leichhardt's sawfish and coach-whip stingrays inhabit the river.[3][6] The level of the river in the wet season can rise by up to 16.5 metres (54 ft), and the flood level can be clearly seen on the walls where the abrasive action of the floodwaters on the limestone has scoured the surface white.

Geology

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The limestone was originally a reef formed not by corals but by algae and lime-secreting organisms that are now extinct. The reef was formed in the Devonian period when the reeding waters allowed the organisms to build a reef up to 2 km (1 mi) thick. The remains of the reef now stand as the limestone range that wind across the countryside up to 100 m (330 ft) above the plains. Fossils from the Devonian can be found within the limestone strata.

History

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The gorge was originally named in honour of Sir Archibald Geikie, the Director General of Geological Survey for Great Britain and Ireland when it was named in 1883.[3] Known by local Bunuba people as Darngku[7][8] or as it is more usually spelt, Danggu,[9] the gorge was later (sometime before June 2019[10]) renamed Dan͟ggu Geikie Gorge.[11][12] Danggu means "the area where the water is very deep under the cave" in the Bunuba language.[13]

In 2023, many of the park's facilities were damaged by heavy flooding when the Fitzroy River rose 15 m (49 ft), and the river itself was changed permanently in some places. The park had to be closed, and a recovery plan has been undertaken, with hopes to reopen the park sometime in 2024.[14]

Park access and facilities

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Danggu Geikie Gorge National Park is part of the Balili (Devonian Reef) Conservation Park.

It lies around 1,837 kilometres (1,141 mi)[15] (great-circle distance) northeast of Perth and approximately 420 km (261 mi) east of Broome by road.

The park is one of the most accessible in the Kimberley as it is only 20 km (12 mi) from Fitzroy Crossing and is serviced by a sealed road. No camping is allowed in the park and visitors can only enter during the day. The park has picnic shelters, barbecue areas, toilets and water available.[16][17]

A 3-kilometre (2 mi) walk trail exists along the western base of the gorge walls; although the terrain is rough and uneven it does offer an excellent view.[18] The eastern side of the gorge is closed to visitors as it is a nature preserve. Tour boats also operate in the gorge and a boat ramp is available for the public to use. Hours of use of the boat ramp are restricted to outside of boat tour times.

However, as of January 2024, the park is closed owing to flood damage sustained in 2023.[14]

Flora and fauna

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The river water sustains an abundance of life, including barramundi, sawfish and freshwater crocodiles, all of which can be found in the gorge.[19][20]

The vegetation that fringes the river bank includes river gums, freshwater mangroves, pandanus, cadjeput and native figs. Dense banks of reeds are also found along the banks. The flora provides a suitable habitat for a range of fauna, including fruit bats, lilac-crowned wren, reed warbler and the great bowerbird.

See also

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Geikie Gorge National Park.

References

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  1. ^ "Department of Environment and Conservation 2009–2010 Annual Report". Annual Report. Department of Environment and Conservation: 48. 2010. ISSN 1835-114X. Archived from the original on 11 January 2011.
  2. ^ Burt, Jocelyn (1996). Discover Western Australia. UWA Press. ISBN 187556084X.
  3. ^ a b c "Fitzroy Crossing". The Age. 8 February 2004. Retrieved 28 April 2008.
  4. ^ "Side Trips". The New York Times. 20 November 2006. Retrieved 28 April 2008.
  5. ^ Daly, Margo; Anne Dehne; David Leffman; Chris Scott (2003). The Rough Guide to Australia. Rough Guides. p. 779. ISBN 1843530902.
  6. ^ Burt, Jocelyn (9 February 2024). Kimberley: Australia's Unique North West. UWA Press. p. 71. ISBN 978-1920694159.
  7. ^ Amanda Banks (2 November 2005). "Hunt for Lost German Tourist Intensifies". The Australian. Archived from the original on 3 November 2005. Retrieved 28 April 2008.
  8. ^ "Geikie Gorge National Park, Kimberley, Western Australia". Kimberley Australia Travel Guide. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Danggu Geikie Gorge". Western Australia. 28 March 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  10. ^ "Danggu Geikie Gorge National Park" (PDF). Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (Western Australia). June 2019.
  11. ^ "Dan͟ggu Geikie Gorge National Park". Explore Parks WA. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Geikie Gorge to return to its Indigenous name". ABC News. 13 June 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  13. ^ McCluskey, Paul. "What's in a name?". Explore Parks WA. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  14. ^ a b Murphy, Hannah (29 January 2024). "Kimberley's Danggu Geikie Gorge National Park expected to reopen to visitors this year after flood disaster". ABC News. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  15. ^ "Great Circle Distance between Geike Gorge National Park and Perth". Geoscience Australia. March 2004. Archived from the original on 10 October 2012.
  16. ^ "Kimberley Australia - Travel Guide". 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  17. ^ Western Australia. Parks and Wildlife Service (2019), Danggu Geikie Gorge National Park : visitor guide, Parks and Wildlife Service, retrieved 20 June 2023
  18. ^ "Where to Walk in WA" (PDF). 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  19. ^ "Travelmate - Fitzroy Crossing WA". 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  20. ^ Somaweera, R.; Greatwich, B.; Yeoh, P. B.; Webber, B. L. (2020), Distribution Maps of Freshwater Crocodiles and Their Nests at Danggu (Geikie Gorge) National Park, Uniprint NT, Charles Darwin University, ISBN 978-1-925800-67-8
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