Escarpment Base Trail, Kennedy Range NP

Yinggarda Country is recognised as one of the oldest living landscapes on Earth, with ancient fossils that offer insight into some of the earliest forms of life. This region is uniquely diverse, where reef, river, ocean, desert, mountain ranges and red earth country meet. It also includes important ecosystems such as seagrass meadows and mangroves.

The Gascoyne River is both a heritage-listed and culturally significant feature, shaped through Creation Storylines. Where the river meets the sea is an important place of transition, both ecologically and culturally. Across this landscape, natural features act as seasonal and cultural markers, guiding movement, knowledge and life on Country.

Flora (Plants and Bushfoods)

Many native plants found in this region play important roles in both the ecosystem and Yinggarda cultural knowledge.

• Wanyu (Acacia / Wattle) is an important seasonal indicator plant with many uses, including medicinal applications. Its wood was traditionally used to make tools, and there are over 1,000 species of Acacia across Australia.
• Native Northern Bluebell is a flowering plant that signals the arrival of bees and supports local ecosystems.
• Bird Flower (Crotalaria cunninghamii) is a unique plant that thrives in sandy soils and blooms throughout much of the year. Its uses and significance are shared as part of the guided experience.

Fauna (Wildlife and Ecological Connections)

The landscape supports a range of wildlife, each playing a role in the broader ecosystem.

• Burrowing Bees (Amegilla dawsoni), among the largest bees in the world, emerge between July and September and form ground-nesting colonies. They are closely linked to flowering plants such as the bluebell, highlighting the connection between plant and animal life.
• Brahminy Eagle (Waladu) can often be seen soaring overhead, with nests located nearby.

The Yinggarda people read the landscape through these seasonal signals — observing plant cycles, animal behaviour and environmental change. This deep knowledge reflects a strong and ongoing connection between Country, culture and sustainable living.

Visitors are encouraged to join a guided cultural tour to experience this knowledge firsthand and gain a deeper understanding of Yinggarda Country by walking alongside a custodian.

Aboriginal cultural content on this page has been developed with the guidance of local Traditional Owners and custodians. It is shared to provide insight into Country and culture, but does not represent all knowledge or perspectives of Aboriginal people. Trails WA would like to thank Wooramulla Eco Cultural Journeys for their input in creating this content.

An Ancient Seafloor 

Standing almost 80m above the surrounding Gascoyne plains, Mundatharrda (Kennedy Range) is a vast sandstone plateau that stretches approximately 75 kilometres in length in the heart of Yingarrda Country. 

The rocks that form the range were originally deposited beneath an ancient sea millions of years ago as part of the Carnarvon Basin, one of Australia's major sedimentary basins. Layers of sand, silt and marine sediments accumulated on the seafloor and were gradually compacted into sandstone and other sedimentary rocks. Evidence of this marine origin can still be seen today, with fossils of ancient sea creatures occasionally visible in exposed rock surfaces throughout the range.

Sculpted by Wind, Water and Time

Geological studies of the Carnarvon Basin show that the sediments underlying Mundatharrda were deposited over a vast span of geological time. Later tectonic forces compressed and uplifted these sedimentary layers, creating a broad plateau. 

Over millions of years, erosion by wind and water sculpted the deep valleys and narrow gorges and exposed spectacular rock formations that can be seen today.

Water flowing from the plateau during seasonal rain events cuts through fractures in the rock, creating gorges such as Temple Gorge. Along the escarpment, softer rock layers weather more rapidly than harder sandstone beds, producing overhangs, cliffs and sheltered rock faces. 

One of the park's best-known geological attractions is Honeycomb Gorge. Here, wind, water and salt weathering have created intricate cavities and patterns in the sandstone, producing the distinctive honeycomb-like appearance for which the gorge is named. 

Sand Dunes on the Plateau

The geology of Mundatharrda is not limited to ancient bedrock. The top of the plateau is capped by red sand dunes that formed during drier climatic periods approximately 20,000 years ago. These dunes support spinifex grasslands and shrublands, creating a striking contrast between the elevated sandy plateau and the rugged escarpments below. 

Kennedy Range National Park offers a memorable outback night sky experience, with dark skies, open horizons and dramatic red rock landscapes creating a striking setting for stargazing.

The park is located in the Shire of Upper Gascoyne, home to Gascoyne Junction, an official Astrotourism WA town known for its dark skies and stargazing opportunities.

After a day exploring the trails, the evening sky becomes part of the experience. From Temple Gorge Campground and other open viewing areas, visitors may be able to see the Milky Way, bright constellations, planets and occasional meteors on clear, moonless nights.

The contrast between the rugged range and the dark night sky makes Kennedy Range a special place for camping, photography and quiet reflection.

For the best experience, plan your visit close to a new moon, bring warm layers and use a red-light torch where possible. Please keep artificial light to a minimum, stay within designated visitor areas and follow all park safety and camping guidelines.