Danggu Geikie Gorge in Western Australia's Kimberley region has reopened to visitors after sustaining significant damage during flooding caused by Tropical Cyclone Ellie in 2023. The restoration effort involved removing over 12,000 tonnes of debris and addressing the destruction of nearly 100 trees. A feasibility study is now assessing the potential for resuming boat tours, which were a popular attraction before the flood. Traditional owners have been heavily involved throughout the lengthy rehabilitation process, though they acknowledge that some cultural sites cannot be fully restored.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-05,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In 2023, ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie caused catastrophic flooding along the Fitzroy River in Western Australia's Kimberley region, severely damaging Danggu Geikie Gorge National Park. The flood displaced 1,500 people and destroyed significant cultural sites for the Bunuba traditional owners who co-manage the park with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). Repair efforts took over three years to complete, involving extensive rebuilding and rehabilitation work by rangers and local communities. Despite ongoing challenges, Geikie Gorge has now reopened to visitors for tourism activities during the northern wet season, excluding water access. A feasibility study is underway to determine if popular boat tours can resume in the future. Kerry Wallis, a Danggu Bunuba traditional owner, expressed relief at the park's reopening but acknowledged that it remains different from its pre-flood state.
Written for “Gorge Reopening After Flood Repair” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
In short:
Kimberley's Danggu Geikie Gorge has reopened after it was badly damaged in the 2023 Fitzroy River flood.
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it → reopen → flood
Rangers and traditional owners say repairing the cultural site and tourist attraction has taken years of rebuilding and rehabilitation.
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repairing → say → rebuilding
A feasibility study is underway to assess the return of popular boat tours through the gorge.
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study → assess → gorge
A popular tourist attraction and major cultural site in Western Australia's Kimberley has reopened three years after serious damage during the state's worst-ever flood disaster.
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attraction → reopen → disaster
In 2023, ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie dumped record rain along the Fitzroy River catchment, triggering devastating flooding in Fitzroy Crossing, with 1,500 people evacuated.
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people → dump → Crossing
The flooding wreaked havoc on the area's natural wonders, including Danggu Geikie Gorge National Park.
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flooding → wreak → Park
One of the town's major tourist attractions and an important cultural hub, it was reduced to rubble and mud when the Fitzroy River broke its banks.
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River → reduce → banks
At the time, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) said 37 hectares of riverbank washed away, including all tourism infrastructure.
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hectares → say → infrastructure
DBCA operations manager Elise Nelson said the restoration and rehabilitation had been an arduous process.
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restoration → say → ?
"It's different to how it used to be," she said.
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she → use → ?
"It's been a long process of accepting that and understanding that, and finding a way to move forward with the way the park is now."
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park → accept → way
More than 12,000 tonnes of concrete, fencing, cabling and other debris had to be removed, along with the shattered remains of more than 100 trees.
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tonnes → have → trees
Ms Nelson said despite all this clearance, massive amounts of debris remain.
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amounts → say → debris
"We had the park closed to build an access ramp down to the water and use an amphibious excavator to remove the debris that still lies in that water," she said.
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she → have → water
"The arborist works are ongoing; they still continue every year because the impact of those floods is still seen on the riverbanks despite revegetation.
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impact → continue → revegetation
"
A feasibility study is underway to assess when and how boat tours, one of the more popular past attractions, can resume.
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tours → assess → attractions
The entire park is now open, excluding water access, and will remain open throughout the northern wet season.
'Hurts a little less'
The flood destroyed significant cultural sites for Bunuba traditional owners, who manage the park with DBCA.
Danggu Bunuba traditional owner Kerry Wallis said it had been a tough three years.
"It was a sad sight to see after the flood; we had such a beautiful park there, and it was a site for everybody to come, sit and enjoy; now it's a little bit different," she said.
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she → exclude → park
"So a bit heartbreaking; but also it's been a long road to try and fix what we can.
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we → try → ?
"(But) you can't repair what nature has torn away, hectares of country gone with that."
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nature → repair → that
Ms Wallis said the hurt was still "raw" for many, but each time she went back to Danggu Geikie Gorge, it hurt a little less.
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it → say → Gorge
"It's feeling more stable, feeling more and more (like) home," she said.
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she → feel → home
She urged visitors to be respectful and to remember the park is on Danggu Bunuba country.
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park → urge → country
"We understand a lot of people come up to the Danggu and love to fish and camp," she said.
"Just make sure you're still following the park rules."
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you → understand → rules
The Aporia