Kennedy Range National Park, Western Australia

Kennedy RangeNational Park

EuropeanhistoryFrancisThomasGregoryexploredareasoftheGascoyneandMurchisonandnamedtheKennedyRangein1858inhonourofthethenGovernorofWesternAustralia,ArthurEdwardKennedy.

Within20years,pastoralleasesbeganbeingtakenupalongtheGascoyneandLyonsrivers.JimbaJimbawasthefirststationestablishedneartherangein1878.LyonsRiverStationwasfirsttakenupinthe1880sanddevelopedintoaprosperouswool-producingstation.

Sectionsofwhatisnowthenationalparkwereprogressivelytakenupaspastorallease.

Fortunately,muchofthisareaiswaterlessandduringtheperiodunderpastoraloperations,heavysheep-grazingdidnotoccurovermuchoftheparkleavingitsnaturalsystemsrelativelyintact.

In1977theunviableBinthalyapastoralleasewasacquiredbytheStatewhichledtothecreationoftheKennedyRangeNationalParkin1993.Additionallandshavesincebeenaddedtoformthecurrentareaof319,037hectares.

NaturalhistoryTheKennedyRangeisanerodedplateaulocatedontherimoftheGascoyneRivercatchmentabout160kilometresfromthecoast.Therangeexperiencesadesertclimate.

Some250millionyearsago,theGascoyneregionwasashallowoceanbasinofftheedgeoftheancientAustraliancontinent.Itfilledwithsediment,whichlaterbecamecompressedtoformlayersofsandstoneandshale.Movementsintheearth’scrustbroughttheseabovethesealevelwhereerosionhasstrippedawaymuchoftherock.Today,marinefossilscanbefoundintherange’ssandstonestrata.

TheKennedyRangeisaremnantofthelandsurfacethatelsewherehasbeenwornawaybuthereformsahugemesasome75kilometreslongandupto25kilometreswidethatrunsnorthtosouth.

Thesouthernandeasternsidesoftherangehaveerodedtoformspectacularcliffsthatrise100metresabovetheLyonsRiverValleyplain.Thesearedissectedbyamazeofsteep-sidedcanyons,whichhaverunningstreamsafterrain.Muchoftherange’swesternboundaryisastrongfaultsystemandspringsarecommonalongitsbase.

Rowsofwaterlessredsanddunesdominatedbyspinifexwithscatteredwattle,grevilleaandbanksiaarefoundonthetopoftheplateau.

Morethan400plantspecieshavebeenrecordedinthepark,including80speciesofannualwildflowerssuchasthemullamullaandeverlastingdaisies.AftergoodrainswildflowersflourishinAugustandSeptember.

Eurosarethemostvisiblenativeanimalwithinthepark,butthereare19othermammalspecies,includingninebatspecies.Morethan100birdspecieshavealsobeenobserved,includingthesplendidfairy-wrenandtherufous-crownedemu-wren.Some33reptilespecieshavebeenrecorded.

Caring for the parkBe kind Do not disturb animals, plants or rocks. No firearms orpets are permitted in Kennedy Range National Park.

Be responsible Use your portable gas stove. Dead wood ishabitat for wildlife.

Be clean Take your rubbish out of the park when you leave.Be careful Stay on the paths and help prevent erosion. Look outfor falling rocks. Your safety is our concern but your responsibility.

Be prepared The trails are rough and steep in places. Wearsturdy footwear and carry your own water at all times.

Be considerate Fossicking and collecting rocks, gemstones andfossils is not permitted.

Visitor informationAccessThe unsealed road to the eastern escarpment is usually suitablefor two-wheel drive vehicles. Access to the western side of thepark via the Gascoyne River is recommended only for high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicles. Roads may be closed afterheavy rains. Watch out for wildlife.

Flights and safari tours to Kennedy Range are available throughvisitor centres at Carnarvon, Denham and other local towns.

OvernightBush camping is permitted at Temple Gorge campground at thebase of the eastern escarpment (see map). Accommodation isavailable at Gascoyne Junction (about 60 kilometres from thepark) and station accommodation can be arranged by contactingthe Shire of Upper Gascoyne.

Always carry ample supplies of fuel and water. Pastoral stationssurround the Kennedy Range National Park and access throughstations is only permitted with the manager’s approval.

Further informationDepartment of Environment and Conservation campground hostsare usually based at the Kennedy Range during the winter months.

Department of Environment and ConservationCarnarvon Office59 Olivia Terrace, Carnarvon, WA 6701Phone: (08) 9941 3754, Fax: (08) 9941 1801Web: www.dec.wa.gov.auPostal address: PO BOX 500, Carnarvon, WA 6701

Shire of Upper Gascoyne4 Scott St, Gascoyne Junction, WA 6705Phone: (08) 9943 0988

AboriginalhistoryTheKennedyRangeappearedtoseparatethetraditionallandsoftwoAboriginaltribes:theMaiatothewestoftherangeandtheMalgarutotheeast.TheMaiapeopleoccupiedabout12,000squarekilometresfromjustnorthofCarnarvon,tothewesternslopesoftheKennedyRange,wherefreshwaterspringswouldhavebeenasourceoffoodandwaterforthem.TheMalgaru’striballandscoveredasimilarlylargearea,fromtheeasternescarpmentoftherange,acrosstheLyonsRiver(knowntoAboriginalpeopleasMithering)andeasttotheboundarywiththeWadjeritribe.TothesouthofboththesetribalareaswascountryoccupiedbytheIngarrdapeople.

TheInggardanamefortherangeisMandatharra.ArtefactscattersfoundinmanypartsoftheparkprovideevidenceofthelonghistoryAboriginalpeoplehavewiththearea.

Therange,asaverydistinctlandform,alsoplaysanimportantpartinthemythologicalhistoryoftheregion.

AllAboriginalsitesinWesternAustraliaareprotectedundertheAboriginalHeritageAct1972.VisitorsfindingartefactsshouldleavethemwheretheyarefoundandinformeitherDECortheWAMuseumoftheirlocation.

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Front cover The Temple. Photo – Rick France/DEC

AboveNativefigs(Ficussp.)growalongtherockywatercourseofDrapersGorge.Photo–ScottGodley/DEC

AboveMulga(Acaciaaneura)dominatesthebaseoftheescarpment.Photo–ScottGodley/DEC

Information and walk trail guide

Below The imposing sandstone cliffs of Kennedy Range.Photo – Scott Godley/DEC

RECYCLE Please return unwanted brochures to distribution points

BelowfromleftLittleredkaluta(Dasykalutarosamondae);Bluecornflower;Spinifexpigeons.Photos–BabsandBertWells/DECLeftApproachtoTheTempleontheTempleGorgeTrail.Photo–ScottGodley/DEC

DDrraappeerrss GGoorrggee TTrraaiill ((CCllaassss 44)) 22 kkiilloommeettrreess rreettuurrnn,, 22 hhoouurrss A progressively harder route that features a series of seasonalwaterfalls and small rock pools along its length. Walkers completingthe whole walk will have to scramble up escarpment slopesand along rock ledges in some areas. Caution should be used in these areas because of loose andcrumbly rock.

EEssccaarrppmmeenntt TTrraaiill ((CCllaassss 44)) 33..44 kkiilloommeettrreess rreettuurrnn,, 33 hhoouurrss Start at either Drapers Gorge car park or Temple Gorge campground.The trail leads into a narrow gorge that ascends to the topof the range for spectacular veiws. This trail is steep withloose rocks and travels near cliff edges.

SSuunnrriissee VViieeww ((CCllaassss 33)) 330000 mmeettrreess rreettuurrnn,, 1155 mmiinnuutteess This raised viewing area, only a short walk from the car park, providesgood views of the battlement-like front of the range – especially atsunrise.

Visitor sites and trailsTTeemmppllee GGoorrggee TTrraaiillss ((CCllaassss 33 aanndd 44)) 22 kkiilloommeettrreess rreettuurrnn,, 22 hhoouurrss Starting at the Temple Gorge day use site, the first part of thetrail is Class 3 and leads to a fork in the creek under aprominent rock face referred to as The Temple. The left fork is ashort picturesque walk, and apart from a few step-ups, isrelatively easy. The right fork is rated at Class 4, and is alonger, tougher, boulder-strewn walk up to a small seasonalrock pool. Care should be taken scrambling up and around largeboulders on this section.

HHoonneeyyccoommbb GGoorrggee TTrraaiill ((CCllaassss 33)) 660000 mmeettrreessrreettuurrnn,, 3300 mmiinnuutteess This fairly easy, but rocky trail takes walkers to a largeamphitheatre containing a seasonal waterfall and pool. Marvelat the incredible honeycomb cavities that have been erodedinto the cliff face.

Above Looking downstream to the east onthe Drapers Gorge Trail.Above right Seasonal waterfalls like this oneat Drapers Gorge only flow rarely after rain.

Far right View of the eastern scarp of theKennedy Range. Photos – Scott Godley/DEC

Right Long-tailed dunnart. Below Western euro. Below right Ashby’s banksia. Photos – Babs and Bert Wells/DEC

Walking in Kennedy Range National ParkMost trails in Kennedy Range National Park are unmodified withbasic marking. Most of the walk trails follow creek lines and can bequite rocky. Rock pools are only seasonal and not fit to drink.Walkers should read the accompanying information on each trail,taking particular note of the difficulty rating.

These walk trails have been graded according to the AustralianStandards for Walking Tracks. The following two classes apply tothe walks described here:

CLASS 3 – Users require a moderate level of fitness. Trails may be slightly modified and include unstable surfaces.

CLASS 4 – Trails are in relatively undisturbed environmentsand are often rough with few if any modifications. A moderate tohigh level of fitness is required. Users should be prepared and selfreliant.

For your safetyTake care on escarpment slopes and cliff edges as rock surfaces canbe crumbly and unstable.

To avoid dehydration, drink three to four litres of water per daywhen walking.

There is no drinking water in the park.






























2009390-0809-6M








DDrraappeerrss GGoorrggee TTrraaiill ((CCllaassss 44)) 22 kkiilloommeettrreess rreettuurrnn,, 22 hhoouurrss A progressively harder route that features a series of seasonalwaterfalls and small rock pools along its length. Walkers completingthe whole walk will have to scramble up escarpment slopesand along rock ledges in some areas. Caution should be used in these areas because of loose andcrumbly rock.

EEssccaarrppmmeenntt TTrraaiill ((CCllaassss 44)) 33..44 kkiilloommeettrreess rreettuurrnn,, 33 hhoouurrss Start at either Drapers Gorge car park or Temple Gorge campground.The trail leads into a narrow gorge that ascends to the topof the range for spectacular veiws. This trail is steep withloose rocks and travels near cliff edges.

SSuunnrriissee VViieeww ((CCllaassss 33)) 330000 mmeettrreess rreettuurrnn,, 1155 mmiinnuutteess This raised viewing area, only a short walk from the car park, providesgood views of the battlement-like front of the range – especially atsunrise.

Visitor sites and trailsTTeemmppllee GGoorrggee TTrraaiillss ((CCllaassss 33 aanndd 44)) 22 kkiilloommeettrreess rreettuurrnn,, 22 hhoouurrss Starting at the Temple Gorge day use site, the first part of thetrail is Class 3 and leads to a fork in the creek under aprominent rock face referred to as The Temple. The left fork is ashort picturesque walk, and apart from a few step-ups, isrelatively easy. The right fork is rated at Class 4, and is alonger, tougher, boulder-strewn walk up to a small seasonalrock pool. Care should be taken scrambling up and around largeboulders on this section.

HHoonneeyyccoommbb GGoorrggee TTrraaiill ((CCllaassss 33)) 660000 mmeettrreessrreettuurrnn,, 3300 mmiinnuutteess This fairly easy, but rocky trail takes walkers to a largeamphitheatre containing a seasonal waterfall and pool. Marvelat the incredible honeycomb cavities that have been erodedinto the cliff face.

Above Looking downstream to the east onthe Drapers Gorge Trail.Above right Seasonal waterfalls like this oneat Drapers Gorge only flow rarely after rain.

Far right View of the eastern scarp of theKennedy Range. Photos – Scott Godley/DEC

Right Long-tailed dunnart. Below Western euro. Below right Ashby’s banksia. Photos – Babs and Bert Wells/DEC

Walking in Kennedy Range National ParkMost trails in Kennedy Range National Park are unmodified withbasic marking. Most of the walk trails follow creek lines and can bequite rocky. Rock pools are only seasonal and not fit to drink.Walkers should read the accompanying information on each trail,taking particular note of the difficulty rating.

These walk trails have been graded according to the AustralianStandards for Walking Tracks. The following two classes apply tothe walks described here:

CLASS 3 – Users require a moderate level of fitness. Trails may be slightly modified and include unstable surfaces.

CLASS 4 – Trails are in relatively undisturbed environmentsand are often rough with few if any modifications. A moderate tohigh level of fitness is required. Users should be prepared and selfreliant.

For your safetyTake care on escarpment slopes and cliff edges as rock surfaces canbe crumbly and unstable.

To avoid dehydration, drink three to four litres of water per daywhen walking.

There is no drinking water in the park.






























2009390-0809-6M








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Kennedy Range National Park, Western Australia