Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge) is a gorge in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

The gorge was formed by the Lennard River having eroded away a 3.5 kilometres (2 mi) section of the Napier Range. The range was formed over 300 million years ago and is composed of Devonian limestone. The gorge is over 100m wide and the walls are between 30 metres (98 ft) and 10 metres (33 ft) in height.

The area is a popular tourist destination and can be easily hiked through in the dry season. The gorge has permanent waterholes and supports a habitat of monsoonal vegetation. Freshwater crocodiles are known to frequent the area.

Walk the gorge

Walks include the Gorge Walk, which begins at the camping area and winds through the gorge for 3.5km each way. The short Time Walk takes a look at marine life forms fossilised within the limestone of the gorge walls. The Savannah Walk along the south-eastern wall showcases the plants and animals of the woodlands.

Steeped in culture

Aboriginal leader Jandamarra used the gorge as a hideout and was shot at Pigeon’s Rock during a gun battle with Europeans in 1894. Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge) is a highly spiritual place to Bunuba people and the Wandjina are the powerful creation spirits that reside here. Hence the name Windjana, which was (mis)recorded by William Forrester, who took up a nearby pastoral lease in 1884 and built Lillimooloora Homestead. You can visit the ruins of this homestead.

Access

The park has good camping facilities and the Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge) Campground is suitable for caravans but there are no powered sites.

A four-wheel-drive is recommended to access the park. The park is closed during the wet season as the roads are inaccessible. 

More Information

1 Hamersley Street
Ph: 08 9195 2200    Fax: 08 9192 2063
Email: enquiries@visitbroome.com.au
Website: www.visitbroome.com.au

30 Loch Street, Derby WA 6728
Ph: 08 9191 1426 or 1800 621 426   Fax: 08 9191 1609
Email: info@derbytourism.com.au
Website: www.derbytourism.com.au

East Kimberley Tourism House, Coolibah Drive,
Kununurra WA 6743
Ph: 08 9168 1177 Fax: 08 9168 2598
Email: info@visitkununurra.com Website: www.visitkununurra.com.