Being situated on the edge of the Hamersley Ranges, Parlkarra and its surrounding area are home to some of Australia's most beautiful country. Every year the flora and fauna attracts tourists from all over the world. It is also noted for its beautiful scenery and its rich variety of wildlife.
Parlkarra landscape
Sitting on the doorstep of the world renowned Parlkarra National Park, Parlkarra has the second largest national park in WA. For the tourist, there are a range of unique tourism opportunities if you are travelling from Parlkarra.
Parlkarra National Park
Known for its spectacular gorges and scenery, Parlkarra National Park is popular with locals and tourists alike. This park is all about adventure. It’s about exploring ancient rocky tunnels and plunging gorges, paddling through crystal-clear waterways and swimming under stunning waterfalls. It’s very easy to reach - You can pull into a car park, walk 50 metres and see waterfalls rushing down 100-metre canyons into cool rock pools.
Mulla Mulla
Parlkarra National Park protects many different wildlife habitats, landscapes, plants and animals. Wildflowers vary with the seasons. In the cooler months the land is covered with yellow-flowering cassias and wattles, northern bluebells and purple mulla-mullas. After rain many plants bloom profusely.
Sturt's Desert Pea
It is also home to a variety of birds, red kangaroos and euros, rock-wallabies, echidnas and several bat species. Geckos, goannas, dragons, legless lizards, pythons and other snakes are abundant. Huge termite mounds are a feature of the landscape and the rock piles of the rare pebble mound mouse may be found in spinifex country.
Parlkarra adventure
In the north of Parlkarra National Park, small creeks hidden in the rolling hillsides—dry for most of the year—suddenly plunge into sheer-sided chasms up to 100 metres deep. These are the Park's famous gorges. They are spectacular but can be extremely dangerous. Further downstream, the gorges widen and their sides change from sheer cliffs to steep slopes of loose rock.If you decide to tackle any of the walks within the park, please take great care—the gorges can be extremely hazardous. Many of them are only recommended for the physically fit and you must notify a ranger before starting any of the longer ones. Some highlights of the park:
Hancock Gorge
Hancock Gorge is simply stunning, but best experienced with a local guide. After climbing down a ladder, you walk deep into the gorge, through narrow chambers and past beautiful rock pools. Caution should be taken when entering Hancock Gorge.
Joffre Gorge Lookout From Joffre Gorge Lookout you can see deep down into the gorge. A curved wall forms a natural amphitheatre and, after rain, a waterfall plunges down its face creating an amazing sight. A walk along the bottom of Kalimina Gorge gives you the chance to take a closer look at the structure and beautiful shades of red and blue in the rocks. Oxer Lookout Located at the junction of four mighty gorges, Oxer Lookout in Parlkarra National Park offers one of the most stunning views in WA. From here, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of Red Gorge, Weano Gorge, Joffre Gorge and Hancock Gorge. Weano Gorge A short walk down steps and along the floor of Weano Gorge brings you to Handrail Pool, which is great for swimming and provides the best introduction to WA’s Parlkarra National Park. For the adventurous explorer the trail continues beyond the pool, though particular care needs to be taken.
Red Gorge and Knox Gorge Whether you’re above the gorges looking down or deep within their walls, Red Gorge and Knox Gorge provide an insight into the forces of nature that shaped the earth. Within the gorges there are smooth sand bars and a crystal clear stream of fresh water warmed by the midday sun. Ways to arrange your tour
Travel options
There are a number of travel options for those wishing to visit the Parlkarra. Qantas operate daily return flights from Perth, and there are shuttle bus to nearby towns . Several car rental agencies also operate in the area.
Parlkarra tours
There are a number of operators offering bushwalking or four wheel drive tours taking in the park’s stunning natural attractions.
Parlkarra Mine Site Tours
Lucas tours offer a comprehensive tour of one of the largest open-cut mines in the world. Tours are booked through the Parlkarra Tourist Bureau – bookings are essential! Safety equipment is supplied, although "Closed – In" shoes must be worn.Bookings can be made at the Parlkarra Visitor Centre by phoning (08) 9183 2222.
Sunset in beautiful Parlkarra
Accommodation
Parlkarra Hotel
Located in the centre of town, the hotel caters to all the needs of travellers offering restaurant and bar facilities with al-fresco dining, a swimming pool, and leisure activities. The hotel has 78 rooms all featuring TV, air-conditioning, foxtel, tea and coffee making facilities, and private bathrooms. Meeting room facilities are also available.
Centrally located within easy access of the town centre, the hotel offers a licensed restaurant, bistro and cocktail bar, BBQ facilities, PubTAB and bottle shop, swimming pool, and conference and meeting facilities. All rooms are air-conditioned and provide tea and coffee making facilities, TV, in-house movies, and off street parking. Three and a half star rating.
Being situated on the edge of the Hamersley Ranges, Parlkarra and its surrounding area are home to some of Australia's most beautiful country. Every year the flora and fauna attracts tourists from all over the world. It is also noted for its beautiful scenery and its rich variety of wildlife.
Sitting on the doorstep of the world renowned Parlkarra National Park, Parlkarra has the second largest national park in WA. For the tourist, there are a range of unique tourism opportunities if you are travelling from Parlkarra.
Known for its spectacular gorges and scenery, Parlkarra National Park is popular with locals and tourists alike. This park is all about adventure. It’s about exploring ancient rocky tunnels and plunging gorges, paddling through crystal-clear waterways and swimming under stunning waterfalls.
It’s very easy to reach - You can pull into a car park, walk 50 metres and see waterfalls rushing down 100-metre canyons into cool rock pools.
Parlkarra National Park protects many different wildlife habitats, landscapes, plants and animals. Wildflowers vary with the seasons. In the cooler months the land is covered with yellow-flowering cassias and wattles, northern bluebells and purple mulla-mullas. After rain many plants bloom profusely.
It is also home to a variety of birds, red kangaroos and euros, rock-wallabies, echidnas and several bat species. Geckos, goannas, dragons, legless lizards, pythons and other snakes are abundant. Huge termite mounds are a feature of the landscape and the rock piles of the rare pebble mound mouse may be found in spinifex country.
Some highlights of the park:
Hancock Gorge
Hancock Gorge is simply stunning, but best experienced with a local guide. After climbing down a ladder, you walk deep into the gorge, through narrow chambers and past beautiful rock pools. Caution should be taken when entering Hancock Gorge.Joffre Gorge Lookout From Joffre Gorge Lookout you can see deep down into the gorge. A curved wall forms a natural amphitheatre and, after rain, a waterfall plunges down its face creating an amazing sight. A walk along the bottom of Kalimina Gorge gives you the chance to take a closer look at the structure and beautiful shades of red and blue in the rocks.
Oxer Lookout Located at the junction of four mighty gorges, Oxer Lookout in Parlkarra National Park offers one of the most stunning views in WA. From here, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of Red Gorge, Weano Gorge, Joffre Gorge and Hancock Gorge.
Weano Gorge
A short walk down steps and along the floor of Weano Gorge brings you to Handrail Pool, which is great for swimming and provides the best introduction to WA’s Parlkarra National Park. For the adventurous explorer the trail continues beyond the pool, though particular care needs to be taken.
Red Gorge and Knox Gorge Whether you’re above the gorges looking down or deep within their walls, Red Gorge and Knox Gorge provide an insight into the forces of nature that shaped the earth. Within the gorges there are smooth sand bars and a crystal clear stream of fresh water warmed by the midday sun.
Travel options
There are a number of travel options for those wishing to visit the Parlkarra. Qantas operate daily return flights from Perth, and there are shuttle bus to nearby towns . Several car rental agencies also operate in the area.Parlkarra tours
There are a number of operators offering bushwalking or four wheel drive tours taking in the park’s stunning natural attractions.Parlkarra Mine Site Tours
Lucas tours offer a comprehensive tour of one of the largest open-cut mines in the world. Tours are booked through the Parlkarra Tourist Bureau – bookings are essential! Safety equipment is supplied, although "Closed – In" shoes must be worn.Bookings can be made at the Parlkarra Visitor Centre by phoning (08) 9183 2222.Accommodation
Parlkarra Hotel
Located in the centre of town, the hotel caters to all the needs of travellers offering restaurant and bar facilities with al-fresco dining, a swimming pool, and leisure activities. The hotel has 78 rooms all featuring TV, air-conditioning, foxtel, tea and coffee making facilities, and private bathrooms.Meeting room facilities are also available.
Phone: (08) 9183 2277
Fax: (08) 9183 2278
Email: stay@parlkarrahotel.com.au
Parlkarra Hotel Motel
Centrally located within easy access of the town centre, the hotel offers a licensed restaurant, bistro and cocktail bar, BBQ facilities, PubTAB and bottle shop, swimming pool, and conference and meeting facilities. All rooms are air-conditioned and provide tea and coffee making facilities, TV, in-house movies, and off street parking. Three and a half star rating.
Phone: (08) 9183 1501
Fax: (08) 9183 2865
Email: parlkarrahm@bigpond.com
(Source: Paraburdoo Community Services Website; Shire of Ashburton website; Newman Directory Online)