Two of the most popular national parks in northern Western Australia will not reopen this year, dealing another blow to tourism operators in the Kimberley.
Bandilngan Windjana Gorge National Park, 140 kilometres north-east of Derby, was extensively damaged by a record-breaking Lennard River flood in January.
"We've had significant damage to the ranger infrastructure, the road in, ablutions knocked over by the force of the water, and the septics have filled up," Craig Olejnik from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) said.
"We're still waiting for waters to recede, but parts of the walk trail into the gorge has washed away and there's been significant damage to the banks.
"There's been half a metre of water through the ranger quarters and mud through the buildings.
"It may be the case that we need to replace them."
The Kimberley regional manager said it was too early to give an accurate damage bill, but estimated it could be "in the millions of dollars".
The gorge, which features striking limestone cliffs, is visited by up to 20,000 tourists a year.
Damage at Danggu
About 100km away at Fitzroy Crossing, Danggu Gorge National Park will also remain closed after the flooding Fitzroy River tore through the area.
DBCA said 37 hectares of the Danggu park washed away, including all of its visitor and ranger infrastructure.
Both gorges are popular day-trip destinations from Derby, Broome and Fitzroy Crossing.
Kimberley tourism operators had been preparing for a bumper season after three years of pandemic-related cancellations and border closures.
January's monsoonal low dealt the entire region a blow — more than 100 homes were extensively damaged, the Fitzroy River bridge was broken, and dozens of people remain displaced three months after the event.
'Just got to adapt'
Small group tour operator Adam Bowen said holiday-makers were worried about booking Kimberley trips because of roads and key attractions being closed.
"It's the first time I've ever had to cancel a trip in April because we didn't have the bookings and people didn't realise that there's still a lot to do," Mr Bowen said.
"With Windjana Gorge being closed it's not ideal — it just means we've got to change things around."
Mr Bowen said it was challenging for larger overland companies locked into accommodation and itineraries, but he was more flexible.
"Instead, we'll go to a couple other sites and waterholes that aren't so much on the tourist map," he said.
"You just got to adapt to it I guess."
Other attractions like Dimalurru Tunnel Creek, Purnululu National Park, Bell Gorge and Mitchell Falls are expected to reopen when road conditions allow.
DBCA hopes repairs this year will allow Bandilngan to reopen as normal in 2024 while Danggu Gorge may open later in 2024.
