Fishing in Bunuba National Park

Bunuba National Park sits in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, about 80 kilometres north-east of Fitzroy Crossing.

Declared in August 2023, it covers 220,000 hectares of country that stretches from Danggu (Geikie Gorge) along the Mardoowarra Fitzroy River north to Dimond Gorge.

The park was created specifically to protect the Fitzroy River from damming and development, and that conservation purpose shapes everything about being here. The Mardoowarra Fitzroy River is the spine of the park.

It's a major Kimberley river system — wide, powerful in the wet, and dramatically different by the dry season when it settles into a series of deep pools and shallower runs between the gorges.

The stretch from Danggu through to Dimond Gorge (Jijidu) is the water that defines this park. Freshwater crocodiles are present throughout, basking on banks and rocks — they're a constant reminder that you're sharing the river, not just visiting it.

The park is open seasonally, roughly April to November, with exact dates depending on weather and road conditions. The Kimberley wet season makes access impossible for much of the year, and even the shoulder months can close roads without warning.

Check current park alerts before committing to a trip. Bunuba National Park is jointly managed by the Bunuba Dawangarri Aboriginal Corporation and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Given the park's explicit purpose of protecting the river system, anglers should check current rules directly with the park managers before fishing — regulations for a park this new and this culturally significant are worth confirming rather than assuming.

The Fitzroy is the reason this country was fought for. Fish it with that in mind.