Tunnel Creek in the Kimberley Western Australia

Western Australias oldest cave system, in Tunnel Creek National Park, is famous as a hideout used late last century by an Aboriginal leader known as Jandamarra. He was killed outside its entrance in 1897.

Tunnel Creek flows through a water worn tunnel beneath the limestone of the Napier Range, part of the 375 to 350 million-year-old Devonian Reef system.

You can walk 750 metres through the tunnel to the other side of Napier Range, wading through several permanent pools and watching for bats and the stalactites that descend from the roof in many places.

The tunnel is up to 12 metres high and 15 metres wide in parts. Near the centre of the cave the roof has collapsed and is an excelent place to ovserve the colony of fruit bats. Take a torch, wear sneakers and be prepared to get wet and possibly cold. Day trips to Dimalurru (Tunnel Creek) operate from Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Broome and often include a visit to Bandilngan (Windjana) Gorge.

The road to Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek
Fairfields Leopold Downs Road to Windjana Gorge/Tunnel Creek

Getting to Tunnel Creek National Park
Access to the park is via unsealed roads, approximately 35 kilometres southeast of Windjana Gorge National Park or 90 kilometres from Fitzroy Crossing. Tunnel Creek National Park is a day use area only, with facilities limited to toilets and an information shelter. No overnight camping is permitted and access is limited to the dry season only. © source | courtesy of australiasnorthwest.com

Where is at Tunnel Creek?
Tunnel Creek National Park covers just 91 hectares. It is 112 kilometres from Fitzroy Crossing, 180 kilometres from Derby, 36 kilometres south-east of Windjana Gorge.

Travelling time to Tunnel Creek
Two hours from Fitzroy Crossing and two and a half hours from Derby.

Tunnel Creek National Park covers all of 91 hectares in the Napier Range, a range that can also be seen at Windjana Gorge.

2 kilometres Tunnel Creek Walk
2 kilometres Tunnel Creek is a very popular walk with a bit of adventure thrown in for good measure. The 2 kilometre return walk goes through a naturally formed tunnel carved over millions of years by fast flowing wet-season water. View Tunnel Creek walk map

No Camping at Tunnel Creek campgrounds
Tunnel Creek is a day use area, with facilities limited to toilets, picnic tables and an information shelter.
You are welcome to camp at nearby Windjana Gorge National Park (camping fees apply).
exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au
We recognise and acknowledge Bunuba people as the Traditional Owners of Dimalurru (Tunnel Creek) National Park.

Track to Tunnel Creek after the rains.

Best season
The best season to visit is between May and September and the park is usually inaccessible during the wet season. (Information supplied by the Department Environment & Conservation)
(Information supplied by the Department Environment & Conservation)


Camping - not sure where Jackie and Rob camped but it wasn't Tunnel Creek in 2006.

What to do at Tunnel Creek
Cave exploration, sightseeing, walking and photography.

Facilities at Tunnel Creek
Tunnel Creek is a day use area with facilities limited to toilets and an information shelter. There is no camping and pets are not allowed. There are no rubbish bins so please take your rubbish with you.


Tunnel Creek Cave


Wildlife at Tunnel Creek


© source | courtesy of outbacktravellers.com.au