Watarrka Nationwide Park, the long-lasting and dramatic panorama between Uluru-Kata Tjuta Nationwide Park and Mpwarnte/Alice Springs within the Northern Territory, has been added to Australia’s Nationwide Heritage Listing.
The inclusion, formally inscribed in June 2024, acknowledges Watarkka’s excellent significance to Australia’s tradition and atmosphere and its place as a dwelling cultural panorama for the normal house owners, Anangu ngurraritja.
Areas included on the Nationwide Heritage Listing are protected underneath the Setting Safety and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), the Australian Authorities’s nationwide atmosphere legislation.
Why is Watarkka Nationwide Park vital?
Eponymous for Watarkka/Kings Canyon, the nationwide park options dry, pink landscapes and massive sandstone cliffs, with contemporary waterholes, plentiful vegetation and 360 million-year-old rocks.
‘Out-of-this-world’, and ‘breathtaking’ are phrases our writers have used to explain their time there. The richly biodiverse panorama inside the George Hill Vary is dwelling to 690 species of native crops, together with a set of uncommon and endangered species, reminiscent of Amperea spicata (George Hill Vary cliff-bush), discovered solely within the space.
For Anangu ngurraritja, Watarrka is the bodily illustration of Tjukurrpa/the Dreaming, when ancestral beings introduced the world into existence. They proceed to watch and observe conventional legislation, ceremonies, and enterprise on these sacred grounds, as has been achieved for 1000’s of years.
Visiting Watarkka Nationwide Park
Even for those who’ve by no means visited, chances are you’ll be aware of Watarkka’s iconic scenes from the 1994 Australian traditional, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, the place the central characters accomplished the Rim Stroll wearing drag.
Since then, the realm has risen in recognition and visitation; seeing greater than 250,000 guests every year, in response to the Division of Local weather Change, Vitality, the Setting and Water. These days, Aboriginal-led cultural excursions, dawn hikes, artwork installations, and helicopter rides are just a few methods to expertise the magic of Watarrka.
Wartarkka is 320km southwest of Mpwarnte/Alice Springs, the closest township and home airport.
Characteristic picture by Tourism NT/Mitchell Cox
