Parrys Creek Farm: Tourist Resort
Parry Creek Farm is the perfect place for a peaceful getaway from the hectic inner city lifestyle. Come and enjoy our fresh country air, wide open spaces and the evenings relaxing by the pool and listening to the harmony of bird-songs.
Parry Creek Farm is a small tourist resort situated on 120 acres of freehold land in the middle of Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve. Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve is 36000 hectares of pristine wilderness and is listed by 'Ramsar' as a 'Wetland of International Importance'.
Ph - 08 9161 1139
Email - info@parrycreekfarm.com.au
Website - http://www.parrycreekfarm.com.au/
Parrys Lagoon Nature Reserve
The wetlands of Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve are an important feeding and breeding area for many birds and a stopover point for migratory shorebirds, some from as far away as Siberia. Parry Lagoons has been listed on the Register of the National Estate and is part of the Lower Ord Ramsar wetland of international significance.
In addition to the wetlands of the Ord floodplain, the 36,000 hectare reserve includes grasslands, woodlands and rugged sandstone country. Sites of historic interest such as the Old Halls Creek Road and the ruins of a wireless station on Telegraph Hill are also found in the reserve.
WHAT IS A NATURE RESERVE?
Nature reserves in Western Australia are for the conservation of flora and fauna and are places where visitors can observe and learn about native plants and animals. Firearms, pets, camping and campfires are not permitted.
WHERE IS IT?
Approximately 20 kilometers south of Wyndham. The access road is signposted on the Great Northern Highway 15km from Wyndham and 85 km from Kununurra. Roads within the reserve are unsealed and may be closed during the wet season. The Old Halls creek road is suitable for 4wd vehicles only.
TRAVELLING TIMES
One hour from Kununurra and 30 minutes from Wyndham
CAMPING
Camping is not permitted in the reserve. Accommodation and camping are available at Parry Creek Farm on privately owned land within the reserve.
Phone (08) 91611139
CAUTION
Both Estuarine (saltwater) and freshwater crocodiles inhabit creeks and waterholes within the reserve. Take care and stay well back from the water's edge.
QUARANTINE
No access is permitted to the Noogoora Burr Quarantine area in the North-eastern section of the reserve. As well as altering the diversity and ecological balance of natural habitats, Noogoora Burr is a weed that would seriously impact on the wool industry in the south of Western Australia if it spreads.
FACILITIES
An information bay is located at the intersection of the Marlgu Road and the Parry Creek Road. A boardwalk and birdhide provide opportunities for birdwatching at Marlgu Billabong.
Nearest Department of Environment and Conservation Office
Kimberley Regional Office
Lot 248 Ivanhoe Road Kununurra
Phone (08) 91 684 200
What to do?
Birdwatching, sightseeing and photography
Old Halls Creek Road
This road was built around 1894. It superseded the original track that was blazed from Wyndham to Halls Creek following the discovery of gold in Halls Creek in 1885. The stones that were painstakingly laid by hand can still be seen in places. This road is negotiable by 4WD vehicles only and may be impassable during the "wet season".
Marlgu Billabong
Marlgu is an Aboriginal name meaning wild bird, a name now given to the pool where many birds gather. For thousands of years Aboriginal people camped beside the waterholes to fish, collect birds eggs, and to hunt water birds, crocodiles and wallabies.
When pastoralism came to the Kimberley, mobs of cattle driven overland from pastoral leases were rested and fattened near Marlgu. Some two million cattle passed through en route to the Wyndham meatworks up until1962, when trucks finally replaced the last of the drovers.
In 1972 the importance of the wetlands for birdlife was recognized with the creation of Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve. To help visitors appreciate this important wetland, a board walk and birdhide have been constructed at Marlgu.
Telegraph Hill
The main access road in the reserve leads to Telegraph Hill, one of several small basalt hills on the floodplain. Here the vistas of the floodplain, wetlands and distant hills can be enjoyed.
In 1914 a wireless station was built on Telegraph Hill to assist ships entering Wyndham Port. During World War 1, it was also used by naval intelligence to intercept radio traffic. The station played a vital role in the tracking and sinking of the German warship, Emden. The ruins of the wireless station are still evident today and accessible by an easy 500 meter interpretive walk .