Editing Danggu Gorge National Park

{{Short description|National park in Kimberley region of Western Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type                   = protected
| name                   = Danggu (Geikie) Gorge National Park
| state                  = wa
| iucn_category          = II
| image                  = Geikie_Gorge.JPG
| caption                = Danggu Gorge
| image_alt              = 
| local_map              = yes
| zoom                   = 11
| coordinates            = {{coord|18|04|38|S|125|42|49|E|display=inline,title}}
| relief                 = yes
| pushpin_label_position = bottom
| map_alt                = 
| nearest_town_or_city   = [[Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia|Fitzroy Crossing]]
| area                   = 31.36
| area_footnotes         = <ref name="ParkAreas">{{cite journal|year=2010 |title=Department of Environment and Conservation 2009–2010 Annual Report |journal=Annual Report |pages=48 |publisher=Department of Environment and Conservation |issn=1835-114X |url=http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/6139/2345/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111124319/http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/6139/2345/ |archive-date=11 January 2011 }}</ref>
| established            = 1967
| established_footnotes  = 
| visitation_num         = 
| visitation_year        = 
| visitation_footnotes   = 
| managing_authorities   = {{Plainlist|
* [[Department of Environment and Conservation (Western Australia)|Department of Environment and Conservation]]
* Darlngunaya Aboriginal Corporation
}}
| url                    = https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/danggu-geikie-gorge
}}
'''Danggu (Geikie) Gorge National Park''' is a national park in the [[Kimberley (Western Australia)|Kimberley]] region of [[Western Australia]], {{convert|1837|km|mi|0}} ([[great-circle distance]]) northeast of [[Perth]] and approximately {{convert|420|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} east of [[Broome, Western Australia|Broome]] by road.

{{as of| January 2024}} it is closed owing to damage caused by flooding of the [[Fitzroy River (Western Australia)|Fitzroy River]] in 2023.

==Dan͟ggu Geikie Gorge==
[[File:A197, Geikie Gorge National Park, Western Australia, Fitzroy River, 2007.JPG|thumb|Danggu Gorge National Park, Fitzroy River, 2007]]
'''Dan͟ggu Geikie Gorge''' ({{coord|-18.0733|125.7212|display=inline}}), formerly '''Geikie Gorge''', is a feature of the [[Napier Range]] located within the National Park, {{convert|20|km|mi|0}} from [[Fitzroy Crossing]]. It is believed to be one of the best-known and most easily accessed gorges in the region.<ref name="discw">{{cite book | title=Discover Western Australia| last=Burt| first=Jocelyn| year=1996| publisher=UWA Press| isbn=187556084X}}</ref>

Along with [[Tunnel Creek]] and [[Windjana Gorge]], Geikie Gorge is part of an ancient [[barrier reef]] that developed during the [[Devonian Period]].<ref name="tfit">{{Cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/western-australia/fitzroy-crossing/2005/02/17/1108500208437.html|title=Fitzroy Crossing|accessdate=2008-04-28|date=2004-02-08|work=The Age}}</ref> The walls of the gorge are {{cvt|30|m}} high.<ref name="sidet">{{Cite web|url=http://travel.nytimes.com/frommers/travel/guides/australia-and-pacific/australia/broome/frm_broome_1410010011.html?pagewanted=print|title=Side Trips|accessdate=28 April 2008|date=20 November 2006|work=The New York Times}}</ref> The {{convert|adj=on|8|km}} gorge was created by the flowing waters of the [[Fitzroy River (Western Australia)|Fitzroy River]],<ref name="rog">{{cite book | title=The Rough Guide to Australia| last=Daly| first=Margo|author2=Anne Dehne |author3=David Leffman |author4=Chris Scott | year=2003| pages=779| publisher=Rough Guides| isbn=1843530902}}</ref> which still flows through the region. [[Freshwater crocodile]]s, [[Largetooth sawfish|Leichhardt's sawfish]] and [[Reticulate whipray|coach-whip stingrays]] inhabit the river.<ref name="tfit"/><ref name="uni">{{cite book | title=Kimberley: Australia's Unique North West| last=Burt| first=Jocelyn| date=9 February 2024| pages=71| publisher=UWA Press| isbn=978-1920694159}}</ref> The level of the river in the [[wet season]] can rise by up to {{convert|16.5|m|ft|sigfig=2}}, and the flood level can be clearly seen on the walls where the abrasive action of the floodwaters on the [[limestone]] has scoured the surface white.

==Geology==
The limestone was originally a [[reef]] formed not by [[coral]]s but by [[algae]] and lime-secreting organisms that are now extinct. The reef was formed in the [[Devonian period]] when the receding waters allowed the organisms to build a reef up to {{convert|2|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} thick. The remains of the reef now stand as the [[limestone]] range that wind across the countryside up to {{convert|100|m|ft|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} above the plains. [[Fossil]]s from the Devonian can be found within the limestone strata.

==History==
The gorge was originally named in honour of Sir [[Archibald Geikie]], the Director General of Geological Survey for Great Britain and Ireland when it was named in 1883.<ref name="tfit"/> Known by local [[Bunuba]] people as Darngku<ref name="hunt">{{Cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17109972-2,00.html |title=Hunt for Lost German Tourist Intensifies |accessdate=2008-04-28 |date=2005-11-02 |author=Amanda Banks |work=The Australian |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051103052244/http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17109972-2,00.html |archivedate=3 November 2005 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Geikie Gorge National Park, Kimberley, Western Australia | website=Kimberley Australia Travel Guide | url=https://www.kimberleyaustralia.com/geikie-gorge-national-park.html | access-date=30 January 2024}}</ref> or as it is more usually spelt, '''Danggu''',<ref>{{cite web | title=Danggu Geikie Gorge | website=Western Australia | date=28 March 2022 | url=https://www.westernaustralia.com/au/attraction/danggu-geikie-gorge/56b2669f2880253d74c4ebd5 | access-date=30 January 2024}}</ref> the gorge was later (sometime before June 2019<ref>{{cite web| url=https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-10/Danggu-Geikie-Gorge-National-Park-visitor-guide.pdf| title= Danggu Geikie Gorge National Park| date= June 2019| publisher= [[Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (Western Australia)]]}}</ref>) renamed Dan͟ggu Geikie Gorge.<ref>{{cite web | title=Dan͟ggu Geikie Gorge National Park | website=Explore Parks WA | url=https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/park/danggu-geikie-gorge-national-park | access-date=30 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-13/kimberley-geikie-gorge-to-return-to-its-indigenous-name/7506256|title=Geikie Gorge to return to its Indigenous name |date=2016-06-13|work=ABC News|access-date=2018-05-06|language=en-AU}}</ref> ''Danggu'' means "the area where the water is very deep under the cave" in the [[Bunuba language]].<ref>{{cite web | last=McCluskey | first=Paul | title=What's in a name? | website=Explore Parks WA | url=https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/get-inspired/whats-name | access-date=30 January 2024}}</ref>

In 2023, many of the park's facilities were damaged by heavy flooding when the Fitzroy River rose {{cvt|15|m}}, and the river itself was changed permanently in some places. The park had to be closed, and a recovery plan has been undertaken, with hopes to reopen the park sometime in 2024.<ref name=flood>{{cite web | last=Murphy | first=Hannah | title=Kimberley's Danggu Geikie Gorge National Park expected to reopen to visitors this year after flood disaster | website=ABC News | date=29 January 2024 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-29/geikie-danggu-gorge-recovery-project/103389308 | access-date=30 January 2024}}</ref>

==Park access and facilities==
Danggu Geikie Gorge National Park is part of the [[Devonian Reef|Balili (Devonian Reef) Conservation Park]].

It lies around {{convert|1837|km|mi|0}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Great Circle Distance between Geike Gorge National Park and Perth |url=http://www.ga.gov.au/bin/distancedraw2?rec1=293571&placename=perth&placetype=0&state=WA+&place1=GEIKIE+GORGE+NATIONAL+PARK&place1long=125.755562&place1lat=-18.045000 |publisher=Geoscience Australia |date=March 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010115048/http://www.ga.gov.au/bin/distancedraw2?rec1=293571&placename=perth&placetype=0&state=WA+&place1=GEIKIE+GORGE+NATIONAL+PARK&place1long=125.755562&place1lat=-18.045000 |archive-date=10 October 2012 |df=dmy }}</ref> ([[great-circle distance]]) northeast of [[Perth]] and approximately {{convert|420|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} east of [[Broome, Western Australia|Broome]] by road.

The park is one of the most accessible in the Kimberley as it is only {{convert|20|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from [[Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia|Fitzroy Crossing]] and is serviced by a sealed road. No camping is allowed in the park and visitors can only enter during the day. The park has picnic shelters, barbecue areas, toilets and water available.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kimberleyaustralia.com/geikie-gorge-national-park.html|title=Kimberley Australia - Travel Guide|year=2009|access-date=28 September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | author1=Western Australia. Parks and Wildlife Service | title=Danggu Geikie Gorge National Park : visitor guide | publication-date=2019 | publisher=Parks and Wildlife Service | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/244332927 | access-date=20 June 2023}}</ref>

A {{convert|3|km|mi|0|adj=on}} walk trail exists along the western base of the [[Canyon|gorge]] walls; although the terrain is rough and uneven it does offer an excellent view.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/walking_wheretowalk.pdf |title=Where to Walk in WA |year=2006 |access-date=28 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629071456/http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/walking_wheretowalk.pdf |archive-date=29 June 2009 |df=dmy }}</ref> The eastern side of the gorge is closed to visitors as it is a nature preserve. Tour boats also operate in the gorge and a [[boat ramp]] is available for the public to use. Hours of use of the boat ramp are restricted to outside of boat tour times.

However, {{as of|lc=yes|January 2024}}, the park is closed owing to flood damage sustained in 2023.<ref name=flood/>

==Flora and fauna==
The river water sustains an abundance of life, including [[barramundi]], [[sawfish]] and [[freshwater crocodile]]s, all of which can be found in the gorge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.travelmate.com.au/Places/Places.asp?TownName=Fitzroy+Crossing_%5C_WA|title=Travelmate - Fitzroy Crossing WA|year=2009|access-date=28 September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | author1=Somaweera, R. | author2=Greatwich, B. | author3=Yeoh, P. B.  | author4=Webber, B. L. | title=Distribution Maps of Freshwater Crocodiles and Their Nests at Danggu (Geikie Gorge) National Park | publication-date=2020 | publisher=Uniprint NT, Charles Darwin University | isbn=978-1-925800-67-8}}</ref>

The vegetation that fringes the river bank includes river gums, freshwater [[mangrove]]s, [[pandanus]], [[paperbark|cadjeput]] and native figs. Dense banks of reeds are also found along the banks. The flora provides a suitable habitat for a range of fauna, including [[fruit bat]]s, [[wren|lilac-crowned wren]], [[reed warbler]] and the [[great bowerbird]].

==See also==
{{commons}}
* [[Protected areas of Western Australia]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{National Parks of Western Australia}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:National parks of Western Australia]]
[[Category:Kimberley (Western Australia)]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1967]]
[[Category:Kimberley tropical savanna]]
[[Category:1967 establishments in Australia]]