Karlamilyi National Park, Natural reserve in Pilbara region, Western Australia.
Karlamilyi National Park is a large protected area in the Pilbara region that stretches between two major deserts, combining dramatic sand dunes with river systems and watercourses. The landscape shows different terrain types, from towering sand dunes to dry river channels and salt lakes.
The area was established as a protected park in 1977 under its original name, but was renamed in 2008 to honor the traditional landowners. This change reflected growing recognition of the Aboriginal significance to the landscape.
The park lies in Martu country, called Karlamilyi, and its name was changed in 2008 to acknowledge the traditional owners. Two Aboriginal communities, Parnngurr (Cotton Creek) and Punmu (Lake Dora), lie within the park; Parnngurr has fuel, groceries and camping gear. The Martu were granted native title over 136,000 km² in 2002, though that determination does not extend over the park itself.
Rudall River Road links the Talawana Track in the south with the Telfer Mine Road in the north; the park can also be reached via Telfer Mine Road from Marble Bar or the Talawana Track from Newman. All roads to and inside the park are unsealed and require four-wheel drive. There are no ranger facilities or other facilities in the park, so carry enough fuel, water, food and spare parts. Fuel, groceries, emergency medical facilities, camping gear, caravan parking and laundry are available at Parnngurr.
The park's name was changed from Rudall River to Karlamilyi in 2008 to acknowledge the Martu, its traditional owners. The earlier name came from the Rudall River, named by explorer Frank Hann after surveyor William Frederick Rudall, who explored the area in 1896–1897.
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