Tunnel Creek National Park

Tunnel Creek National Park, located in the remote East Kimberley region of Western Australia, is a dramatic and historically significant destination. The park is famous for its 750-metre-long water-worn tunnel through the Napier Range, which you can walk through—creek bed and all—with a torch in hand. This is a place of stark natural beauty, Indigenous cultural significance, and a touch of outlaw history, as it was once a hideout for the legendary bushranger Jandamarra.

Highlights & What to See

• Walk Through the Tunnel: Wade into the cool, dark tunnel that cuts through the limestone ridge. The walk takes about 45 minutes each way, with the creek often ankle- to knee-deep. Bring a strong torch to spot stalactites, freshwater crocodiles (they keep to themselves), and the colony of bats that cling to the ceiling.
• Jandamarra’s Hideout: The tunnel was used by the Indigenous resistance leader Jandamarra in the 1890s. Interpretive signs at the entrance tell his story—a powerful chapter of local history that adds depth to the visit.
• Scenic Drive to the Park: The approach via the Great Northern Highway and a 30-km unsealed road offers sweeping views of the Napier and Oscar ranges. The landscape is classic Kimberley: spinifex, boab trees, and red earth.
• Wildlife Spotting: Keep an eye out for wallabies, euros, and birdlife like the purple-crowned fairy-wren. The freshwater crocodiles in the tunnel are generally harmless but should not be approached.

Suggested Time to Spend

Plan for 2–3 hours to fully experience the tunnel walk and soak in the surroundings. Most visitors come as a half-day trip from Fitzroy Crossing (about 1.5 hours away) or as a stopover on the way to Broome or Kununurra. The tunnel is best visited in the dry season (April to October); during the wet season, the creek may be too high to enter safely.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Fitzroy Crossing: Gateway to the park and the jumping-off point for cruises on Geikie Gorge (part of the Fitzroy River National Park).
• Geikie Gorge: A stunning sandstone gorge carved by the Fitzroy River, with boat tours that reveal ancient reef fossils and abundant birdlife.
• Windjana Gorge National Park: Another dramatic gorge in the Napier Range, famous for its freshwater crocodiles and easy walking trail. It’s often combined with Tunnel Creek in a day trip.
• Broome: About 4 hours’ drive west, Broome offers Cable Beach, pearl history, and the dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point.
• Kununurra: To the north, this is the hub for exploring Lake Argyle, the Ord Valley, and the Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park.

Please check official sources for current details.