Rudall River

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesTalawana Tk & Rudall River Access
FinishTelfer Security Gate
DifficultyDifficulty 3.5/5
Suitable For4WD 
Distance430.24 km
Minimum Days5
Average Speed26.48 km/hr
Travel Time16 hrs 14 mins
Page Updated: 21 Jun 2024

Description

This vast National Park is a vast ancient land, with ranges, remote water holes and gorges. Some pools are permanent and are scattered throughout the park enabling large numbers of marsupials, birds and vast herds of camels to survive in what would otherwise be a very dry landscape indeed. As for the pronunciation of the name Rudall its ‘Roo-dal’ and not as most people say ‘Rudd –all’

The park sits on the boundary between the Great Sandy and Little Sandy Deserts, and tracks in the park are not maintained.

Whilst remote and challenging, visitors to the park can expect to see a pristine desert environment with ancient ranges that provide the visitor with spectacular vistas. These ranges contain numerous, gorges, rock holes and permanent water holes. Rudall River itself is an ancient river system that flows easterly through the park to Lake Dora.

The Department of Environment and Conservation doesn’t provide any visitor services, you are on your own and need to be totally self sufficient and prepared if wishing to travel in the area. Most people access Rudall River from Newman via Jigalong using the Talawana Track or Marble Bar via the Ripon Hills Telfer Road.

A drive to Desert Queen Baths in the Broadhurst Range will provide the visitor with a wonderful scenic walk along a gorge that has a series of large waterholes, many of which are permanent. Allow at least one day for this trek leg.

Equally spectacular is a drive along the Graphite Valley track. This track although very rough provides hundreds of photographic opportunities on the drive along the valley floor or along the ridge line as you follow the route to its end. Views range from, mounts, jump ups, sandy creek beds, ranges, bluffs, mesas, and quartz outcrops. The Graphite Valley track is not suitable for trailers of any type. Allow a full day return for this trek leg alone.

Out to the west, another track takes you to Watrara Pool, Curran Curran Rockhole and Hanging Rock. This is another impressive trek with views of ranges, valleys and water courses. Allow 1.5 days return for this trek leg.

How to Use this Trek Note

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TIP

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Environment

Rudall River NP has the Little Sandy Desert in the south-west, an area of ranges and stony hills and the Great Sandy Desert to the north.

The most prevalent vegetation is spinifex with trees and shrubs concentrated around water courses. Belts of large river gums along watercourses provide many a spectacular vista.

The main animals seen are camels, dingoes and marsupials. Depending on the season many birds are seen throughout the park, although mainly were water is found nearby. We have seen plovers, swallows, willy wagtails, honeyeaters, bustards and birds of prey to name just a few.

From a 4WDriving point of view, other than the poorly maintained and at times very corrugated main north south track, all other tracks in the park are rough. Some have not been graded since the day they were built and are now very rough, washed out and very difficult to traverse. It is however along these tracks that the best sights and places to visit are found.

History

The Warnman, Gardutjarra, Mandjildjarra and Ngulibardu aboriginal people were the original inhabitants of the Rudall river area.

The first white men to arrive in the area were W Rudall and F Hann in 1896-97. Rudall, a government surveyor, led a party searching for George Jones and Charles Wells, lost members of the Calvert Expedition. Hann was on a private trip looking for suitable pastoral country. Hann and Rudall met at Meeting Gorge, west of Hanging Rock.

Hann named Rudall River; he also named Broadhurst Range after Eva Broadhurst a part owner of Pyramid Station in the Pilbara.

Rudall changed the name of Lake Misery to Lake Dora after his fiancée Dora Miller.

One of Rudall’s men was H S Trotman; he later became the 2 I C to A Canning when the Rabbit Proof Fence and the Canning Stock Route were explored and built.

Trotman’s initials and names of other explorers can be seen chiselled into the rock face at Christmas Pool (Wantamata).

Alfred Ives prospected in the area of the park 1937 -1939. A plaque commemorating his expeditions is screwed to a tree at Tjingkulatjatjarra Pool.

The Rudall River National Park was declared on 22 April 1977.

TrekID: 164

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP

Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.
Travelling in remote areas is very exciting and challenging, but you must be thoroughly prepared and self-sufficient. You can't call for local roadside assistance out here. It is not recommended you travel this area on your own, if you must then at least advise the Newman Police at 48 Mindarra Drive, Newman or telephone Tel: (08) 9175 4000 before leaving and when you return.

Have your vehicle fully serviced and checked over for remote area travel by an experienced 4WD service centre, have at least two spare tyres, have a spare tube and the appropriate puncture repair gear for your tyres and have the usual spares of belts, hoses, fuses, oils, etc.

Ensure you have adequate recovery gear including at least a snatch strap, two rated shackles, a towrope and a long handled shovel. Have an HF Radio or Satellite Phone and EPIRB for emergencies. The use of either 27MHz or UHF radios is only suitable for vehicle convoy work. They will not transmit to emergency services if you strike problems out in the desert.

Ensure you have enough fuel to travel at least 1,100 kms, for the section between Jigalong and Punmu. Then allow a sufficient margin of at least 20% on top of that for sand driving, detours and if you happen to be bogged. Although no fuel or supply points are shown in this trek note, the nearest are at Newman which has all fuels as well as supermarkets. For general fuel and light supplies, phone Jigalong on: (08) 9175 7020, Parnngurr on: (08) 9176 9157, and Punmu on: (08) 9176 9160. Please ring in advance and ensure supplies are available. Also be aware that permits may be required to enter Aboriginal communities.

Also, ensure you carry sufficient food and water for the whole trek (i.e. minimum of 5 days). Although there are two hand pumps in Rudall River National Park and the water is classed as potable, we have seen the pumps out of order on a number of occasions so don’t rely on them. There are no fuel stations or supply points in the park. Newman, Parrngurr, Punmu and Jigalong are your closest supply points.

You may find water in water holes but this is not to be relied upon, you should also consider the risks of illness if you drink any of it.

Permits

Permits not required unless obtaining fuel at Jigalong, Parrngurr or Punmu. If wanting to visit any of these locations then apply for permits from www.dia.wa.gov.au or phone Permits Officer on (08) 9235 8000.

Fuel Usage

Newman has all fuels available. For general fuel supplies: Jigalong (08) 9175 7020, Parnngurr (08) 9176 9157, and Punmu (08) 9176 9160. Please ring in advance and ensure supplies are available.
DieselULPLPG
4cyl 60 litres4cyl 70 litres4cyl 86 litres
6cyl 66 litres6cyl 78 litres6cyl 76 litres
8cyl 66 litres8cyl 71 litres
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

The cooler months of April to September.

Closest Climatic Station

Telfer Aero
Distance from Trek Mid Point 65.12km N
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C40.638.637.334.529.125.325.328.432.737.039.440.2
Mean Min. °C26.025.423.920.615.311.910.612.516.520.823.425.4
Mean Rain mm49.1102.777.320.018.914.313.25.42.52.916.546.9
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Talawana Tk & Rudall River Access to Southern Water Hand Pump (dismantled back to bore head)
Driving: 8.45 km
Heading: 339°
Avg Speed: 30 km/hr
EST Time: 16:54
  • Head east on Talawana Track for: 0.38 km time: 01:54
  • Make a sharp left onto access track for: 8.07 km time: 01:20:42
Southern Water Hand Pump (dismantled back to bore head) to Plaque
Driving: 37.64 km
Heading: 357°
Avg Speed: 30 km/hr
EST Time: 01:15:16
  • Drive northwest on access track. for: 37.64 km time: 02:39:21
Plaque to Island Hill
Driving: 4.89 km
Heading: 127°
Avg Speed: 24.89 km/hr
EST Time: 11:47
Island Hill to Black Falcon Camp
Driving: 1.33 km
Heading: 42°
Avg Speed: 26.77 km/hr
EST Time: 02:58
Black Falcon Camp to Main Track & Graphite Valley Access
Driving: 28.46 km
Heading: 113°
Avg Speed: 27.27 km/hr
EST Time: 01:02:37
Main Track & Graphite Valley Access to Graphite Valley
Driving: 7.8 km
Heading: 209°
Avg Speed: 30 km/hr
EST Time: 15:36
  • Drive south. for: 7.8 km time: 03:50:09
Graphite Valley to Main Track & Graphite Valley Access
Driving: 7.8 km
Heading: 29°
Avg Speed: 25 km/hr
EST Time: 18:43
  • Drive northeast. for: 7.8 km time: 03:50:09
Main Track & Graphite Valley Access to Black Falcon Camp
Driving: 28.46 km
Heading: 293°
Avg Speed: 27.27 km/hr
EST Time: 01:02:37
Black Falcon Camp to Island Hill
Driving: 1.33 km
Heading: 222°
Avg Speed: 26.77 km/hr
EST Time: 02:58
Island Hill to Plaque
Driving: 4.89 km
Heading: 307°
Avg Speed: 24.89 km/hr
EST Time: 11:47
Plaque to Main Track & Watrara Pools-Hanging Rock Access
Driving: 1.66 km
Heading: 324°
Avg Speed: 38.17 km/hr
EST Time: 02:36
Main Track & Watrara Pools-Hanging Rock Access to No. 11 Pool
Driving: 5.28 km
Heading: 290°
Avg Speed: 23.75 km/hr
EST Time: 13:20
No. 11 Pool to Track Junction to Pools
Driving: 1.6 km
Heading: 314°
Avg Speed: 19.4 km/hr
EST Time: 04:56
Track Junction to Pools to Curran Curran Water Hole
Driving: 22.55 km
Heading: 262°
Avg Speed: 24.64 km/hr
EST Time: 54:54
Curran Curran Water Hole to Hanging Rock
Driving: 38.69 km
Heading: 275°
Avg Speed: 27.44 km/hr
EST Time: 01:24:35
Hanging Rock to Native Well
Driving: 0.07 km
Heading: 87°
Avg Speed: 27.44 km/hr
EST Time: N/A
Native Well to Hanging Rock
Driving: 0.07 km
Heading: 267°
Avg Speed: 27.44 km/hr
EST Time: N/A
Hanging Rock to Curran Curran Water Hole
Driving: 38.69 km
Heading: 95°
Avg Speed: 27.44 km/hr
EST Time: 01:24:35
Curran Curran Water Hole to Track Junction to Pools
Driving: 22.55 km
Heading: 82°
Avg Speed: 24.64 km/hr
EST Time: 54:54
Track Junction to Pools to Watrara Pool
Driving: 2.51 km
Heading: 289°
Avg Speed: 15.42 km/hr
EST Time: 09:45
Watrara Pool to Track Junction to Pools
Driving: 2.51 km
Heading: 109°
Avg Speed: 15.42 km/hr
EST Time: 09:45
Track Junction to Pools to No. 11 Pool
Driving: 1.6 km
Heading: 134°
Avg Speed: 19.4 km/hr
EST Time: 04:56
No. 11 Pool to Main Track & Watrara Pools-Hanging Rock Access
Driving: 5.28 km
Heading: 110°
Avg Speed: 23.75 km/hr
EST Time: 13:20
Main Track & Watrara Pools-Hanging Rock Access to Main Track & Desert Queens Baths Access
Driving: 20.97 km
Heading:
Avg Speed: 25 km/hr
EST Time: 50:19
  • Drive northwest on access track. for: 0.04 km time: 00:05
  • Bear right onto Rudall River Road. for: 20.94 km time: 50:15
Main Track & Desert Queens Baths Access to Compton Pinnacle View
Driving: 7.64 km
Heading: 120°
Avg Speed: 25 km/hr
EST Time: 18:20
  • Drive south on Rudall River Road. for: 0.01 km time: 00:02
  • Turn left. for: 7.62 km time: 03:48:43
Compton Pinnacle View to Miles Hill
Driving: 5.93 km
Heading: 137°
Avg Speed: 25 km/hr
EST Time: 14:13
  • Drive south. for: 5.93 km time: 02:57:46
Miles Hill to Desert Queens Baths Campsite
Driving: 4.56 km
Heading: 143°
Avg Speed: 25 km/hr
EST Time: 10:56
  • Drive southeast. for: 4.56 km time: 02:16:52
Desert Queens Baths Campsite to Desert Queen Bath Cave
Driving: 1.4 km
Heading: 56°
Avg Speed: 25 km/hr
EST Time: 03:21
  • Drive north. for: 0.18 km time: 05:18
  • Turn right. for: 1.22 km time: 36:33
  • Turn right. for: 0.01 km time: 00:15
Desert Queen Bath Cave to Desert Queens Baths Campsite
Driving: 1.4 km
Heading: 236°
Avg Speed: 25 km/hr
EST Time: 03:21
  • Drive northwest. for: 0.01 km time: 00:10
  • Turn left. for: 1.22 km time: 36:32
  • Turn left. for: 0.18 km time: 05:19
Desert Queens Baths Campsite to Miles Hill
Driving: 4.56 km
Heading: 323°
Avg Speed: 25 km/hr
EST Time: 10:56
  • Drive north. for: 4.56 km time: 02:16:52
Miles Hill to Compton Pinnacle View
Driving: 5.93 km
Heading: 317°
Avg Speed: 25 km/hr
EST Time: 14:13
  • Drive northwest. for: 5.93 km time: 02:57:46
Compton Pinnacle View to Main Track & Desert Queens Baths Access
Driving: 7.64 km
Heading: 300°
Avg Speed: 25 km/hr
EST Time: 18:20
  • Drive north. for: 7.62 km time: 03:48:43
  • Turn right onto Rudall River Road. for: 0.01 km time: 00:03
Main Track & Desert Queens Baths Access to Northern Water Hand Pump
Driving: 10.93 km
Heading: 340°
Avg Speed: 24.68 km/hr
EST Time: 26:34
  • Drive north on Rudall River Road. for: 10.92 km time: 26:13
  • Turn right. for: 0.01 km time: 00:22
Northern Water Hand Pump to Coolbro Pool
Driving: 20.52 km
Heading: 314°
Avg Speed: 24.86 km/hr
EST Time: 49:31
  • Drive west. for: 0.01 km time: 00:15
  • Turn right onto Rudall River Road. for: 20.51 km time: 49:16
Coolbro Pool to Duck Pool
Driving: 0.04 km
Heading: 15°
Avg Speed: 25 km/hr
EST Time: N/A
  • Drive north on Rudall River Road. for: 0.04 km time: 00:06
Duck Pool to Turn Off to Christmas Pool
Driving: 37.35 km
Heading: 25°
Avg Speed: 25 km/hr
EST Time: 01:29:38
  • Drive north on Rudall River Road. for: 37.35 km time: 01:29:39
Turn Off to Christmas Pool to Kurili Hill
Driving: 9.52 km
Heading: 24°
Avg Speed: 25 km/hr
EST Time: 22:50
  • Drive northeast on Rudall River Road. for: 9.52 km time: 22:51
Kurili Hill to Telfer Mine Rd & Punmu Access Tk
Driving: 17.43 km
Heading: 360°
Avg Speed: 59.66 km/hr
EST Time: 17:31
Telfer Mine Rd & Punmu Access Tk to Telfer Security Gate
Driving: 0.31 km
Heading: 327°
Avg Speed: 36.33 km/hr
EST Time: 00:30
Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

Facilities

Where to Stay

Services & Supplies

No Services & Supplies available for this trek

Wildflowers

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