Murujuga National Park

Murujuga National Park
Map showing the location of Murujuga National Park
Map showing the location of Murujuga National Park
Location in Western Australia
LocationPilbara, Western Australia, Australia
Nearest cityKarratha (15 km)
Coordinates20°35′S 116°50′E / 20.583°S 116.833°E / -20.583; 116.833
Area48.51 km² (4851 ha)[1]
DesignationNational park
Established17 January 2013[1]
Governing bodyDepartment of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
WebsiteMurujuga National Park

Murujuga National Park is a national park on Burrup Peninsula in the Pilbara region in the north-west of Western Australia, covering an area of 48.51 km2 (18.73 sq mi).

History

Murujuga National Park was officially declared on 17 January 2013 as the 100th national park in Western Australia. The park protects what is considered the world’s highest concentration of ancient petroglyphs, with over ten thousand rock engravings created by the region's Aboriginal peoples.[2][1]

Description

The national park is located on the northern and western part of the Burrup Peninsula, also known by its Aboriginal name, Murujuga. It lies approximately 200 km (120 mi) west of Port Hedland and 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Karratha, and covers an area of 48.51 km2 (18.73 sq mi). It can be accessed via Dampier Road and Burrup Peninsula Road.[2][1]

Visiting

After the Murujuga National Park was closed for some months to allow for its construction, the Ngajarli Trail was completed in August 2020. Traditional owners working in collaboration with the government created a 700-metre (2,300 ft) universal boardwalk, along with interpretative signs. The Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation hopes to improve and enlarge facilities for visitors and to help them appreciate the cultural significance of the site.[3]

World Heritage Listing

In July 2025 UNESCO listed the rock art gallery, an area covering nearly 100,000 ha (250,000 acres) known as the Murujuga Cultural Landscape, as a World Heritage Site. The area includes the park.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Australian Government – CAPAD 2014 – WA summary (Microsoft Excel; 53 kB), Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, retrieved 16 March 2016.
  2. ^ a b Department of Parks and Wildlife – Murujuga National Park, retrieved 16 May 2016.
  3. ^ Birch, Laura (26 August 2020). "World's largest collection of ancient rock art at Murujuga National Park re-opens". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  4. ^ Readfearn, Graham (11 July 2025). "'Manifestation of creative genius': Murujuga rock art in Western Australia placed on Unesco world heritage list". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 July 2025.