Park to boost tourism

The announcement of the new Murujuga National Park on the Burrup Peninsula will be a boon for tourism in the area, according to Karratha Visitor Centre manager Barry Harris.

“It’s great from our point of view,” he said.

“It gives another reason for people to come here.”

Mr Harris said although locals were already aware of the beauty of places on the Burrup Peninsula such as Hearsons Cove, national park status would garner more interest from further afield.

Australia’s North West Tourism chief executive Glen Chidlow agreed with Mr Harris and said the new national park tied in nicely with other iconic parks in the area.

“National parks themselves are a great hook for both domestic and international tourism,” he said.

Mr Harris said with Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Ron Critchley now on the visitor centre board, he was hoping to be able to offer tours of the new national park.

He said there was also a plan to employ station rangers in the national park to deter vandalism.

Murujuga National Park was officially announced as WA’s 100th national park by Environment Minister Bill Marmion on Thursday.

It covers 44 per cent of the Burrup Peninsula and has rock engravings dating back 30,000 years.