Bandilngan

Before you even arrive at Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge) National Park, the gorge for which it is famed will have already made its presence known to you. Towering up to 100m high, Bandilngan is home to a 3.5km gorge that has been carved across the millennia by the flow of the Lennard River. The gorge is part of the Napier Range, but the balili (limestone) walls themselves are part of the Devonian Reef that date back between approximately 360 million years. This is the same ancient reef that can be seen at Danggu and Dimalurru.

Bandilngan is named for a specific location. When you first enter the gorge, you will see a huge boulder sitting in a large pool of water. This rock is known as Bandilngan, which is a very important place for Bunuba people. The desecration of this area, through the watering of cattle and sheep at this sacred site by the early pastoralists, was a contributing factor to the hostilities between Bunuba people and the malngarri invaders. The area later became a strategic stronghold during the Bunuba resistance, and was central to initiatives undertaken during the days of Jandamarra.

Bandilngan is a wonder of biodiversity. There are over 200 species of plants that can be found within the Park. Most prominent, are the tall and shady trees that line the edges of the gorge – the gunanggi (fig trees), the marrira (Leichardt pine) and the wulu (paperbark) trees. These trees and the gorge walls offer respite from the bright daylight to the many colonies of bangali (bats) that call Bandilngan home.

Aside from being an incredible place to visit, as the only camping grounds on Bunuba Country, Bandilngan is also the perfect location to base yourself whilst visiting the other Bunuba Parks. There are two Walking Trails within the Park itself and you will find the old Lillimooloora Station ruins at Limallurra just 10 minutes down the road, and Dimalurru National Park, another 20 minutes on from that.

Temperatures in Bandilngan can easily exceed 40C and it is recommended that you visit during the cooler times of the day. Carry adequate water - at least 1L of water per person for each hour that you visit. Hats, long sleeves and sunscreen are strongly recommended.