Fortescue River

The Fortescue River is a tropical oasis in Millstream Chichester National Park, a two-hour drive south-east of Karratha. For those seeking adventure and cultural insights on the Warlu Way.

Between June and August the red plains erupt into colour as the wildflowers bloom. You will find sturt desert pea, more than twenty species of Mulla Mulla (Ptilotus), fragrant sennas/cassia and dozens of species of wattles in bloom, northern bluebells, desert yam and several species of hibiscus.

The permanent source of water brings all kinds of birds such as rainbow bee-eater, sacred kingfisher and blue-winged kookaburra, spinifex pigeons and the impressive bustard. Twelve species of raptor live in the park and can be seen flying high over the plains.

The Yinjibarndi people ask that you swim safely at Deep Reach as this is the home of Barrimurdi, the Warlu, or serpent. You can launch canoes, kayaks or stand-up paddle boards there too but remember to treat the place with respect and keep noise to a minimum.