DBCA acknowledges the Yinggarda people as the Traditional Owners of Kennedy Range National Park. The park is jointly managed by DBCA and the Yinggarda Aboriginal Corporation.
The range
DBCA describes the Kennedy Range as a vast sandstone plateau, between 12 and 25 km wide and about 75 km long. It towers about 80 m above the surrounding red plain.
- An ancient seabed. The rocks formed beneath an ancient sea. If you look carefully, you may see fossils of marine creatures in the exposed rock.
- Dunes on top. The plateau is topped by red sand dunes covered in shrubland and spinifex. DBCA says these dunes formed about 20,000 years ago.
- Springs. On the western side, spring water trickles from the base of the range. These springs are an oasis for wildlife in drought, and they're important sites for the Traditional Owners.
Getting there
- From Carnarvon, take the sealed road east to Gascoyne Junction, about 160 km.
- From Gascoyne Junction, head north on unsealed road. The Shire of Upper Gascoyne says Temple Gorge camp is about 56 km north of Gascoyne Junction.
- DBCA's visitor guide says the unsealed road to the eastern escarpment is usually suitable for 2WD vehicles.
- The western side of the park, reached via the Gascoyne River, is recommended only for high-clearance 4WDs.
The Carnarvon Visitor Centre warns that roads in the inland Gascoyne are mostly unsealed. They can be badly damaged or closed after rain, and closures can happen while you're travelling. Fuel is available at Gascoyne Junction. Call in to the Carnarvon Visitor Centre for the latest road report, and check your vehicle is properly equipped.
See fuel, permits and road conditions and wet season and road closures.
Walk trails
DBCA lists these trails along the eastern escarpment:
| Trail | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Temple Gorge Trail | 2 km return | Class 3, moderate. Follows a dry creek bed to a sandstone rockface known as the Temple. Starts near the campground. |
| Drapers Gorge Trail | 2 km return | Class 4, challenging. Follows a stony watercourse, with scrambling up and down steep, loose slopes and narrow rock ledges. Seasonal waterfalls and rock pools. |
| Escarpment Base Trail | 5.8 km return | Runs between Temple Gorge Campground and the Honeycomb Gorge and Sunrise View trails, with geology, sandalwood and a lookout. |
| Escarpment Trail | 3.4 km | From Drapers Gorge car park or the campground. Steep sections, with panoramic views from the top. |
| Honeycomb Gorge Trail | 600 m | A culturally significant site. See below. |
Sunrise View, a raised viewing area a short walk from its car park, looks across the battlement-like face of the range. As the name suggests, it's best at sunrise.
Respect Honeycomb Gorge
DBCA says the Honeycomb Gorge Trail is a culturally significant site. The Yinggarda Traditional Owners respectfully ask that you don't take photos and don't touch the sacred wall. Please take only memories.
Camping
Temple Gorge Campground is the place to stay while you explore the eastern trails, views and gorges. It's bookable, and campground hosts are often there to share their knowledge. The Shire of Upper Gascoyne lists camping fees per adult, with concession and child rates. Check current fees when you book.
DBCA says the dark night skies are excellent for stargazing. See stargazing and dark skies.
When to visit
DBCA says spring is a great time to visit, when wildflowers, including everlastings, bloom against the red earth. The cooler months, from about May to September, are best for walking.
The risks of exposure and dehydration are significant here. During the hotter months, at least December to March, they're extreme, and temperatures often exceed 40°C.
Safety
DBCA's safety advice for the park includes:
- Carry a personal locator beacon (PLB). It could save your life if you need rescuing.
- Walk in groups of three or more. In an emergency, one person can stay with the injured person while another goes for help.
- Tell someone your plans in enough detail that they can raise the alarm.
- Carry and drink 1 litre of water per person per hour on the trails. There's no drinking water in the park.
- Wear a broad-brimmed hat, sunscreen and a loose long-sleeved shirt.
- Walk in the cooler parts of the day, and follow the trail markers.
- Beware of undercut cliff edges and loose rock.
Before you go, download the DBCA park map for offline use with the Avenza Maps app. See remote-area travel safety and outback summer heat.
Combine with
- Carnarvon: the coastal gateway, with the Gascoyne food trail and space museum.
- Mount Augustus: the Carnarvon Visitor Centre says it's about 288 to 305 km from Gascoyne Junction, depending on the route.
- Outback station stays in the Gascoyne.
- The outback Western Australia road trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is the road to the Kennedy Ranges sealed?
Not all the way. The road from Carnarvon to Gascoyne Junction is sealed. DBCA's visitor guide says the unsealed road from Gascoyne Junction to the eastern escarpment is usually suitable for two-wheel-drive vehicles, though it can be damaged or closed after rain. The western side needs a high-clearance 4WD.
Where can I camp at Kennedy Range National Park?
Camp at Temple Gorge Campground, on the eastern side of the range. It's the base for the walk trails, views and gorges, and campground hosts are often on site. Sites are bookable, and camping fees apply.
How far is Kennedy Range from Carnarvon?
Gascoyne Junction is about 160 km east of Carnarvon by sealed road. Temple Gorge Campground is about 56 km further north on unsealed road, according to the Shire of Upper Gascoyne.
Is there an entry fee for Kennedy Range National Park?
No. DBCA says entry to Kennedy Range National Park is free. Camping fees apply at Temple Gorge Campground. Dogs and other pets aren't allowed in the park.
Sources and further reading
Facts on this page were checked against these primary and official sources. Conditions change — confirm before you travel or buy.
- Kennedy Range National Park — Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (WA)
- Kennedy Range National Park visitor guide (PDF) — Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (WA)
- Attractions — Shire of Upper Gascoyne
- Kennedy Range National Park — Carnarvon Visitor Centre
