Boodjamulla National Park, an iconic outback Queensland destination, is finally set to reopen two years after it was forced to close due to severe flooding.
The park is perhaps best known for the Riversleigh fossil deposit, one of the world’s most significant fossil sites renowned for its large collection of mammal fossils dating back 10-30 million years ago. It was even acclaimed by Sir David Attenborough as one of the great wonders of the palaeontological world.
Sadly, in 2023, catastrophic floods hit the Gulf of Carpentaria after the Gregory River overflowed. In Boodjamulla National Park, this meant rockslides, destruction of cabins and walking tracks, and loss of trees.
For the last two years, The Boodjamulla Cooperative Management Council and the Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, have been working to reopen this major site. Luckily, the Queensland government was able to contribute almost $13 million towards restoration efforts.
According to Principal ranger Marnie Augusteyn, “The funding includes an investment of $6.7 million for repairs and the construction of new visitor infrastructure within the Lawn Hill Gorge section.”
“We’re also investing $6.1 million for reconstruction work on water treatment, sewage management, power supply and flood resilience work into our ranger residences.”
Boodjamulla National Park is an important site for the Waanyi people, and several cultural heritage sites have been the focus of protection efforts since the floods.
Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation chief executive, Michael Miller, has been inspecting the progress regularly.
“On behalf of the Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, we welcome visitors back to the national park,” he said.
“This is our backyard, and please treat it with the same respect that you would your own backyard.
“Please pay attention to restricted access areas for your own safety and pay respect to our culture.”
The hope is that the park’s reopening will coincide with the winter travel season, drawing tourists to the North West as well as other communities along the Savannah Way.
The park is set to reopen on July 1.
To discover the best things to see and do in and around the park, click here.
