Kalumburu
The
Aboriginal community of Kalumburu is the most northern settlement
in Western Australia. Situated on the banks of the King
Edward River, access is by a rough dirt road during the
dry season only, with light aircraft access year round.
The
area has been home for many thousands of years to the local
aboriginal people. The community is currently home to approximately
400 residents with around 25 non Aboriginals, who help provide
the community with essential services.
Scheduled
Tours
David
the tour operator has been visiting Kalumburu for many years
now and has established a good relationship with the community
as well as a friendship with local guides. We are fortunate
to be able to take groups into the community to camp and
to take an Aboriginal Rock Art & Cultural tour with
one of the local guides.
During these tours, we see ancient Aboriginal art, learn
of traditional hunting skills, painting and bushtuckers
as well as visiting wreckage of aircraft shot down during
WW11. Depending on road conditions, we either camp in the
mission grounds or on the beach.
Father
Anscar, the parish priest, also has an interesting collection
of artifacts and Aboriginal items, which he displays in
the museum. He offers regular tours of the museum to visitors,
whether on a Kimberley tour or travelling independently.
It
is also possible to purchase art directly from the Kalumburu
artists and Lily Kareda is the most prolific with an individual
style, recognized Australia-wide.
Private Tours
During
our 13 day Kimberley safaris, we spend 2 days and nights
in Kalumburu but for people who would like to stay longer
and get to see more of the locals and the surrounding area,
we recommend a private charter safari. We can arrange visits
to Truscott airbase, further rock art exploration and activities
with the community during a private charter, depending on
your particular interests.
Kalumburu
is also an excellent spot for fishing and we always allow
time on our Kimberley safaris to do some fishing here. We
also carry fishing rods with us as none are available from
the community. Barramundi, Reef fish and pelagics can be
caught year - round.
Self
Drive Options
So
if you’re travelling independently, bring some rods
with you and then you can choose to fish from the beach,
or get a local to take you out in a boat. For those people
visiting Kalumburu independently, high clearance 4WD vehicles
are nesseccary and we recommend that you carry spares, safety
equipment and plenty of water.
The
community welcomes visitors but you do need 2 permits be
able to visit. The first of these is free and can be obtained
from the Department of Indigenous Affairs in Perth. Tel
- 08 9235 8000 or apply online.
The
second permit is issued by the Kalumburu corporation and
you can buy it from the community office (monday to friday)
or organize it in advance by email.
Please
feel free to visit the Kalumburu
Community website.
Camping
is available in the Mission grounds, which has a lawn area,
with facilties and a BBQ area.
Basic air-conditioned rooms are also available at the mission
with shared bathroom and kitchen facilties.
Charter
flights also operate from Kununurra or Wyndham, which are
both approximately 1 ½ hours away by plane.
History
Of Kalumburu
Kalumburu
has an interesting and varied history.
In
1908, Abbot Fulgentius Torres, from the Benedictine Abbey
of New Norcia, established the Drysdale mission. He chose
Pago, in Napier Bay, Broome, which had a plentiful supply
of water and a good location. The camp lasted for nearly
30 years but by the time the Benedictine sisters had arrived
in 1930, plans were already in place to move the mission
to Kalumburu. Kalumburu is approximately 30km from Pago,
overland, and it took 5 years to move the entire mission
and camp to it’s new location.
The
community played an important role in World War II, with
it’s strategic location and two airfield landing strips,
which the mission and local Aboriginals built by hand. Accommodation
huts and radio transmitters followed and were used by American,
British, Dutch and Australian squadrons in the fight against
the Japanese, who had occupied Timor, less than 600km away.
An
array of aircraft used the airstrip, including Spitfires,
Wirraways, Mitchells, Beaufighters and Hudsons and the wreckage
of a C-53 (a military version of the DC-3) can be found
outside the community.
Father
Gil and the locals also rescued passengers and crew from
the MV Koolama, in 1942, which had been attacked by Japanese
fighters and become grounded at Cape Rulhieres, some 50
miles ENE of the mission. Only 1 person died in what was
a lengthy and difficult rescue, overland and by sea.
That
same year, the Japanese bombed Kalumburu, after realizing
it’s military importance. They destroyed many buildings
and killed several locals as well as Father Gil.
The
airstrips were used for the last time in 1944, when Truscott,
35km away, replaced the mission as the main airbase in the
area.
In
1951, the mission change it’s name to the “Kalumburu
Mission” and today the mission still plays a vital
role in this unique community.
