19-06-2025
Boodjamulla National Park (Lawn Hill) set to reopen after devastating floods
Almost two and a half years after severe flooding caused its closure, Boodjamulla National Park (Lawn Hill) is set to reopen.
The iconic outback destination gained international fame during a 2018 Super Bowl advertisement.
The park encompasses the Riversleigh fossil deposit, heralded by Sir David Attenborough as one of the great wonders of the palaeontological world.
People from far and wide visited the park every year, but in March 2023 the Gregory River flooded, tearing through trees and tourist infrastructure.
Now, after a multi-million-dollar restoration, the national park will reopen on July 4, just in time to catch the outback tourist season.
The Boodjamulla Cooperative Management Council, comprised of the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation and the Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, has been working since to reopen the park since the flood.
Principal ranger Marnie Augusteyn said the Queensland government had put almost $13 million toward the effort.
"The funding includes an investment of $6.7 million for repairs and the construction of new visitor infrastructure within the Lawn Hill Gorge section," she said.
"We're also investing $6.1 million for reconstruction work on water treatment, sewage management, power supply and flood resilience work into our ranger residences."
Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Michael Miller said he was on country recently to inspect the progress.
"On behalf of the Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, we welcome visitors back to the national park," he said.
"This is our backyard, and please treat it with the same respect that you would your own backyard.
"Please pay attention to restricted access areas for your own safety and pay respect to our culture."
Mr Miller said elder Everyl Johnny will personally welcome visitors to the gorge and give insight into Waanyi culture.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Mark Olsen said the Lawn Hill Gorge section of Boodjamulla National Park is an iconic location.
"Reopening Boodjamulla National Park for winter will provide a much needed boost to the North West and the communities along the Savannah Way that have faced difficult times over the past three years," he said.
In early 2023 catastrophic floods hit the Gulf of Carpentaria.
In the 48 hours to March 9, 533 millimetres of rain fell on the Nicholson, Gregory and Leichhardt river catchments.
The Gregory River peaked at 18 metres, far above the previous 1971 record of 10.8m.
In Boodjamulla National Park trees were flattened, rockslides were triggered and park facilities such as cabins and walking tracks were destroyed.
Rangers were concerned the cultural heritage sites of the Waanyi people had also been damaged.
Boodjamulla includes the Riversleigh World Heritage Site, described by UNESCO as one of the world's greatest fossil sites.
Its specimens date back 30 million years.
