Windjana Gorge is considered to be a very popular tourist attraction and is said to be the most stunning gorge of Kimberley. Visitors will be able to see fossilized life forms in the gorge walls.
Windjana Gorge was established as a national park in 1971. This was done in order to protect the natural setting of the area. And thus provide comfortable facilities for the visitors and tourists who come to enjoy nature at its best.
Windjana Gorge has walls that rise 100 meters, in some areas, above the floodplains of the Leonard River. The sand and clay are deposited by the Leonard River as it runs through the gorge during the wet season to prepare the riverbed for the dry season.
Pools are encircled with trees and shrubs that inhabit the riverbank when the dry season hits the river.
Along the riverbank the leichardt tree, the native fig trees, and the paper-backed cadjeput trees grow in the rich soil. These trees are an oasis from the sun for water birds and other birds like the wedge-tailed eagle. A colony of fruit bats and some corellas also find protection in the shade of these trees. Johnson crocodiles and other freshwater crocodiles can also be seen drinking around the water pools.
There are two kinds of campgrounds located in Windjana National Park. One kind of campground is geared toward those that provide the tours throughout the park and also for those who prefer to use a generator when they camp. The other kind of campground is available for those who prefer the more quiet side of camping; preferring not to hear the sound of the generators running. Both campgrounds provide showers, flushing toilets and drinking water. The campground for generators also provides fireplaces.
For something to do, you can go on a walk along the entire length of the gorge and look at a prehistoric crustacean that is embedded in the wall made from limestone. You can also watch giant green ants as they build their nests in the canopies of the trees along the banks of the river and wait for their food to come to them. They feed on insects. You may also find a population of freshwater crocodiles gathering around a pool. So,it should be obvious that swimming here would be at your own risk.
As you continue on through the Windjana Gorge, along the banks of the river, you will hear some noises in the trees. These noises are coming from Fruit Bats and Black Flying Foxes that roost in the trees.
Windjana Gorge itself provides a perfect opportunity for some spectacular camera action or picture taking in the late part of the afternoon when you can see the reflection of the gorge walls in the water.
Not only is the gorge an ideal place for pictures, but all of the animal life and bird life along your walk path,will give you a perfect opportunity to use up the film in your camera. The beauty of this trail is, that, in order to return, you get to retrace your steps and see the view all over again. There are also things like bird watching, bush walking, camping, and rock climbing to do if you would rather do other things besides relax and soak up nature.
The best time of the year to go is from May to September. But don't plan on May always being accessible. It depends on how ‘wet’ the wet season gets. You may also want to plan on staying in Windjana Gorge National Park a few days, though, once you get there. It will take you that long to soak up all of its beauty; especially the Windjana Gorge. Have a wonderful trip!