Purungunya National Park

Before Plan for Our Parks, it had been more than 10 years since a national park was declared in the Pilbara.

In Nyamal Country, east of Port Hedland, the Pilbara welcomed Purungunya National Park in 2024 as part of the Purungunya Conservation Estate, protecting more than 200,000 hectares of WA’s nature and culture for the future.

These new protected areas will increase protection for WA’s unique nature and rich culture, while also providing new tourist destinations to attract visitors to the Pilbara region and help diversify the Pilbara’s economy and boost WA’s regional economies through nature-based and cultural visitor opportunities.

Jointly-managed between Nyamal Traditional Owners, Nyamal Aboriginal Corporation and the WA Government, the parks will create new long-term Aboriginal ranger positions and support Traditional Owners to manage and care for Country.

“We have something special out there for us: a national park, which will help get more people back onto Country. Getting something special like that will bring all our family back out to Country, and more tourists will get to go see what we have in our Country, it’s pretty special.“
— Adrian Taylor Junior
Nyamal Ranger & Traditional Owner

Located in one of WA’s most under-protected regions, these jointly-managed parks will be vital to protecting WA’s nature and culture for the future generation to experience and enjoy. They’ll also increase protection for the region’s rare and threatened animals like the Pilbara olive python, the Pilbara leaf-nosed bat, and the iconic bilby.

We want to wish a sincere congratulations to Nyamal Traditional Owners, Nyamal Aboriginal Corporation and the WA Government for protecting more of the under-protected places in Western Australia.