National park · Australia
Murujuga National ParkMurujuga (Burrup Peninsula)
Go for one half-day from Karratha: drive the Burrup Peninsula Road, walk the Deep Gorge and Skew Valley art stops before 10:00 in May–Sep, carry 3 L of water each, and skip it entirely Dec–Feb.Go for one half-day from Karratha: drive the Burrup Peninsula Road, walk the Deep Gorge and Skew Valley art stops before 10:00 AM in May–Sep, carry 3 L of water each, and skip it entirely Dec–Feb.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
42 km² (16 sq mi)16 sq mi (42 km²)
approximate
Established
2013
Best months
May–Aug
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 42 km² (16 sq mi)16 sq mi (42 km²)
- Park boundary figures vary by source; the gazetted park is roughly 40–45 km² of the peninsula (check).
- Established
- 2013
- Best months
- May–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Murujuga covers the northern end of the Burrup Peninsula near Karratha in the Pilbara, and holds the densest concentration of Aboriginal rock engravings known anywhere — estimates run past one million images, some dated beyond 47,000 years. It became Western Australia's 100th national park in 2013, went onto Australia's World Heritage tentative list in 2020, and was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2025 together with the Dampier Archipelago. There is no visitor centre, no campground and no shuttle: you drive in on sealed road, park at roadside stops and walk short rocky paths. Industry sits right beside the art, so expect gas plant infrastructure on the horizon.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2025Inscribed with the Dampier Archipelago; the park was on the tentative list from 2020.
- Special national siteWestern Australia's 100th national park, established 2013.
Size and age
42 km² (16 sq mi)16 sq mi (42 km²) · national park since 2013
Park boundary figures vary by source; the gazetted park is roughly 40–45 km² of the peninsula (check).
Why go
- The largest and densest collection of Aboriginal rock engravings in Australia, spread over open rocky slopes you walk yourself.
- It is a genuine half-day from Karratha — no flight, no tour booking needed if you have a car.
- Engravings of thylacines, now extinct on the mainland, sit beside figures of people, birds and animals.
- Coastal Pilbara light in the early morning, with the Dampier Archipelago islands offshore.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- Jan40 °C (104 °F)+ and humid; heat risk104 °F (40 °C)+ and humid; heat risk
- FebCyclone season; roads can close
- MarStill hot; cyclone risk tails off
- AprWarm; go at dawn only
- MayDry, 30 °C (86 °F) days, clearDry, 86 °F (30 °C) days, clear
- JunMild days, cool nights
- JulPeak season; best walking weather
- AugDry and clear; windy afternoons
- SepWarming; still workable early
- OctHot by mid-morning
- NovHigh heat before the wet
- DecHottest, humid, cyclone watch
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock wallabies and euros on the rocky slopesMay–Sep · Most active early morning and late afternoon. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Shorebirds and waders around Hearson CoveMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Sea turtles offshore in the Dampier ArchipelagoNov–Mar · Nesting on the islands, not on the park beaches. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Snakes and spinifex insectsAll year · Watch where you put hands and feet on the rock. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Karratha
Dampier Road then Burrup Peninsula Road north; sealed the whole way, roadside art stops on the left.
20–30 min
From Dampier
South along Burrup Peninsula Road to the park boundary.
10–15 min
From Port Hedland
North West Coastal Highway west, then Dampier Road; long drive, fuel at Karratha.
2.5–3 h
From Perth
Fly to Karratha, then hire a car; driving the whole way is about 1,530 km (951 mi).Fly to Karratha, then hire a car; driving the whole way is about 951 mi (1,530 km).
2 h flight + 30 min drive
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Gorge | The best-known engraving site, on both sides of the road, with dense panels of figures. | Roadside parking; short rocky walk, no facilities. |
| Skew Valley and the central slopes | Open rock pavements with engravings of thylacines, birds and people. | Marked stops and walking pads; stay on the pads. |
| Northern Burrup and the tip | Coastline, views to the Dampier Archipelago, industrial plant on the eastern side. | Public road; some side tracks are gated for industry. |
| Hearson Cove | The one beach area on the peninsula, outside the park boundary but the usual swim and picnic stop. | Open; no lifeguards, no shade. |
Sketch map
- 1Karratha · Town≈-20.736, 116.846Map ↗
- 2Dampier · Town≈-20.660, 116.710Map ↗
- 3Park entrance, Burrup Peninsula Road · Gate≈-20.610, 116.800Map ↗
- 4Deep Gorge art site · Cave≈-20.590, 116.790Map ↗
- 5Skew Valley art stops · Trail≈-20.575, 116.810Map ↗
- 6Hearson Cove · Beach≈-20.555, 116.840Map ↗
- 7Northern Burrup tip · Viewpoint≈-20.535, 116.855Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along Burrup Peninsula Road, for orientation only; the park's official coordinates are about -20.58, 116.83.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | vehicle | No entry fee for this park (check); WA national park entry fees apply at parks that charge, and a holiday pass covers those. |
| Guided cultural tour from Karratha | AUD 150–300 (≈ US$100–200) | person | 2026 estimate; run by Aboriginal-owned operators, half day, includes transport and interpretation. |
| Hire car, Karratha, one day | AUD 70–140 (≈ US$50–95) | day | 2026 estimate; book ahead, limited fleet. |
| Fuel, Karratha to the park and back | AUD 15–25 (≈ US$10–17) | vehicle | 2026 estimate; about 80 km return from Karratha. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Commercial filming or drone use permit or guide
Access off the marked stops permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- A$150–300≈ US$100–200
- A$70–140≈ US$50–95
- A$15–25≈ US$10–17
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Australia — Murujuga National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Do not touch, chalk, wet or walk on the engravings
- Oils from skin, water and abrasion all damage the rock surface; view from the edge of the panels.
- Stay on marked pads and tracks
- Off-track walking crosses unrecorded art and fragile soils; access beyond signposted areas needs traditional-owner permission.
- No camping
- Camping of any kind is prohibited in the park; sleep in Karratha or Dampier.
- No drones
- Drones are restricted over cultural sites and industrial areas; get permission first (check).check
- No fires, no litter
- Total fire bans apply for much of the year; carry out everything you bring in.
- Respect closures
- Some areas close for cultural reasons or industrial operations; signs and gates are not suggestions.
Where to stay
Near the park
Karratha
The main base: motels, hotels, caravan parks and apartments, 20–30 min from the art stops.
Near the park
Dampier
Smaller settlement closer to the peninsula; limited rooms, book ahead.
Near the park
Point Samson and Roebourne
Coastal options about an hour east, useful if Karratha is full.
Safety
Heat and dehydration high
Cyclones and road closures medium
Uneven rock and loose scree medium
No phone signal and no facilities medium
Snakes and insects low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The main art stops at Deep Gorge and Skew Valley are a short walk from roadside parking on uneven natural rock; there are no sealed paths or boardwalks.
- Wheelchair users and travellers with limited mobility will find the rock surfaces difficult; a guided vehicle tour is the practical alternative.
- No toilets, shade or drinking water in the park; the nearest facilities are in Dampier and Karratha.
Visiting lightly
- Book an Aboriginal-owned guide so tourism money reaches the traditional owners of Murujuga.
- Never touch or wet engravings, and do not pick up or move rock fragments.
- Take all rubbish out; there are no bins in the park.
- Stay on marked pads — the art is under your feet as well as in front of you.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Murujuga National Park?
There is no entry fee for the park's public roads and marked art stops (check). Your real costs are getting there: a hire car in Karratha runs about A$70–140 a day (2026 estimate) and fuel for the 80 km return trip about A$15–25. Guided cultural tours cost roughly A$150–300 per person (2026 estimate).
What are the best hikes in Murujuga National Park?
There are no long hikes. The best walking is the Deep Gorge rock-art site (1–1.5 h, easy, uneven rock) and the Skew Valley stops (1–2 h, easy), which you can combine into a half day. Both are short walks from roadside parking; anything beyond the signposted pads needs permission from the traditional owners.
When is the best time to visit Murujuga National Park?
May to September. Days are dry and around 30 °C, nights are cool, and the light is best early. December to February is too hot for walking and sits in cyclone season; April and October work only if you start at dawn.
Do I need a guide to see the rock art?
No — you can drive the public road and walk the marked stops yourself. A guide is worth it for interpretation, and Aboriginal-led tours are the only way to hear the stories behind the engravings.
Can I camp in Murujuga National Park?
No. Camping of any kind is prohibited in the park. Stay in Karratha, Dampier or Point Samson and drive in for the day.
How far is Murujuga from Karratha?
About 15 km north of Karratha via Dampier Road and Burrup Peninsula Road, roughly 20–30 minutes by car to the first art stops.
Is Murujuga a World Heritage site?
Yes. It was added to Australia's tentative list in 2020 and inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2025 together with the Dampier Archipelago.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go