Australia National Parks

Just two kilometers north of Kununurra, is a spectacular national park called Mirima NP. This park covers a total of 2068 hectares. Mirima NP, also known as Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Hidden Valley’, was given the name Mirima by the Miriuwung people The Miriuwung still live in this national park and feel that this spectacular national park is such a part of their culture and heritage. There are also paintings on the rocks that were made by the ancestors of the Miriuwung people. You are asked not to touch these paintings as they are important to the Miriuwung people living there, and they will deteriorate if not left alone. So please be respectful of someone’s precious heritage that has lasted for thousands of years.

The formations that are in Mirima NP are the result of erosion over 20 million years ago. The sandstone had been weakened by the tropical climate, and over time, the silica that holds the grains of sand together was dissolved. This made for easy erosion and when water flows over the surface and goes into all the cracks and joints, you end up with the gorges and twisted valleys that make up the landscape today.

Wallabies inhabit this area during the day. However, do not plan on one coming up to you or your vehicle to beg for some food or attention. These animals are nervous and easily startled. Therefore, if you were to catch the sight of one on your adventure, it probably would not be its best side, or the front. You may, however catch a glimpse of one as it hops to the closest hiding place it can find. It will do this with remarkable speed.

Dingoes are also an animal you will find, normally in the early mornings
Or late afternoons. At a creek called Lily Creek in Mirima NP is where you will find a gathering of some reptiles. Reptiles like
* Frogs
* Goannas
* Snakes
* Tortoises
* Geckoes

A large variety of birds inhabits this national park. The white-quilled pigeon is a bird that is mostly found in this area. It mostly dwells in the hills and cliffs of the region that is in and around the park. Another interesting bird is a very social able bird called the double-barred finch. These birds will live in flocks of 40. They divide themselves up into groups of six and cuddle or huddle in a nest together where they eat, drink, and sleep. And clean themselves.

There are a lookout points in Mirima NP that will allow you to see Kununurra from a different viewpoint. The first one is Wuttuwutubin Trail. This trail is a return trail 500 meters long. It is a narrow trail that will take you through a gorge before you reach the lookout area. The second one is Didbagirring Trail. This trail is also a return trail that is 1 kilometer long. You will climb up some slopes and encounter loose rocks.

During the day, as the light hits the walls of the rock, the rocks seem to come alive as the color tones are reflected off the rock. Late in the afternoon, it gets a little spooky when shadows form to look like faces that stare in utter silence.

Because Mirima NP is so close to Kununurra there is a broad range of accommodations available to use. The park itself has a picnic area and barbeque facilities. There are no pets allowed and there are no open fires allowed either. The park is a day use only area.
Camping is not allowed in the national park, but there is camping allowed nearby caravan parks. The dry season in this park is from May through September. But this spectacular national park is available all year around. So come to Mirima NP where you will want to do some sightseeing, and take both some walks and some pictures. Make that some walks and lots of pictures. Have a wonderful time.