Built in 1920, the homestead housed its last family in 1964, and between 1975 and 1986 operated as a tavern. The original Millstream Homestead is now home to the visitor centre and offers detailed information about the national park’s attractions and walking trails. It also features a museum with rooms dedicated to the local Aboriginal Yinjibarndi people. A mia-mia (hut) has been erected, complementing an impressive display of Aboriginal artefacts.
Explore Millstream Chichester National Park
Millstream Chichester National Park is just a two hour drive south of Karratha and offers some of the best camping opportunities in the region. Covering an area of approximately 200,000 hectares around the Fortescue River – the heartland of the Yindjibarndi people – this lush oasis of deep gorges and palm fringed rock pools provides a stark contrast to the surrounding landscape of rocky escarpments and rolling spinifex covered hills.
The run-off from the Hamersley Ranges flows via the Fortescue River into an underground aquifer that feeds the waters of the Millstream Chichester National Park. This natural reserve is believed to contain in excess of 1,700 million cubic metres of water and cover an area of almost 2,000 square kilometres. For more information on Millstream Chichester National Park, visit The Department of Parks and Wildlife website.
History
Wildlife and Flora
Tropical plant species, typical of Western Australia’s far north, thrive on the edge of permanent water pools throughout the national park. Of particular interest is the unique Millstream Palm, with its fanned, greyish-green leaves and smooth bark. Exotic date palms and cotton palms, originally introduced by pioneers, have now spread throughout the delta. Native animals are drawn to these rock pools, and during the cooler hours of the day you will see an amazing variety of birds at the water’s edge. Black flying foxes are also easily seen within the park, while in the wetlands 14 species of dragonfly and damselfly have been recorded.
Things to do
Accomodation and Facilities
The Millstream Homestead houses facilities for a day out, including a campground, toilets and tables.
The popular spot Python Pool also has toilets available.
Getting to Millstream Chichester National Park
The turn off is just 15 minutes south of Karratha, or if you are travelling on the Roebourne / Wittenoom Road, the turn off is 28 kilometres south east of Roebourne.
Apart from the first 90 km this road is unsealed / gravel. If you are driving a hire vehicle it is recommended you check with your hire company as to whether or not this is allowed.
