RUDALL RIVER

This is Australia’s second largest national park covering 1,283,706  hectares. It is located south west of Nullagine and is one of the most remote parks in the state. It is 4x4 territory only.

Peter Egerton Warburton led an expedition across the region to the north of the park in 1872.

The park was named by Frank Hann after William Frederick Rudall who surveyed the area in 1896. Rudall later wrote an account of his expeditions and had the following to say about the river:

"The Rudall River is a series of deep gulches 8-10 feet between banks and altogether is about 200 yards wide. There must be large quantities of water run down it in a rainy season."

Hann was a prospector looking for ore bearing country near the river and he happened to meet Rudall while both men were in the area in 1897.

Although Europeans are completely unsuited to surviving in this harsh environment several Aboriginal tribes including the Warnman, Gardutjarra, Mandjildjarra and Ngulibardu inhabited this region before European settlement.

The Rudall River is a major water course with reliable water sources and permanent pools. The pools supported a community of animal and bird life and it was a detailed knowledge of the wildlife and plants that allowed the Aborigines to survive.

The national park was first declared in April 1977.

WARNING: This area is very remote and should not be travelled by anyone who is not well equipped and experienced in outback travel. Even then it is essential to notify the authorities if you intend to travel there.

The DEC (CALM) website states the following about visiting this park:

"it must be stressed that you should not visit the park unless you are well prepared and have sufficient food, water, medical and mechanical supplies. There are no facilities for visitors by way of fresh water supplies, signage, park ranger services, camping facilities or picnic areas, and neither the mining companies nor the Aboriginal communities have stores of food, water or fuel for travellers...

...Contact with the Aboriginal communities at Lake Dora and Cotten Creek should be avoided if possible. There are signs at the approach road to the communities asking visitors to stay away unless prior arrangements have been made."

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