Hi Guys,

Only thing I am aware of is that the walk to the top of the King George Falls is no longer allowed to charter boat tour operators. See page 68 of https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/downloads/know/DBCA%20Commercial%20Operator%20Handbook%202020.pdf

The sea does not come under Native Title. Just about the whole of  Kimberley Coast water (not land) is currently, or soon will be, Marine Parks, including the KGR and Berkeley. I have never heard anything about them restricting water access to these locations.

Cheers,

Ross

You dont need a permit for those rivers .

I spoke to Dominica at ALPS re my rejected permit application 10 minutes age.  Access to Berkeley and King George Rivers is closed.

NOT just the land access.  I specifically asked if I could just sail up to see the falls and not go ashore.  She said NO.

She told me to go to Balanggarra.com.au and ask them how to arrange permission.   Use web info form or via their email address.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 6 months ago by Sundowner.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 6 months ago by Sundowner.

Lets get the facts straight. I have had other members contacting me about this forum thread who are concerned that they cannot take their boats into the Berkeley and King George rivers. This is incorrect. You can take your boat into both rivers.

Dominica’s work relates to the LAND area. I don’t believe she has anything to do with the WATER part of the rivers, which are in the Marine Park.

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions run the Marine Park. Both the King George and Berkeley Rivers are part of the North Kimberley Marine Park, and both rivers are designated as Special Purpose Areas (Recreational and Conservation). You are allowed on the water in the Marine Park up to the high water mark without a permit, including the Berkeley and King George rivers

https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/images/documents/conservation-management/managementplans/20160383_north_kimberley_management_final_plan_printweb.pdf

If you want to go ashore while boating in the rivers, you need to get a land permit from the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority (AAPA), which used to be known as the Aboriginal Lands Trust. That is where Dominca works. For the past few years the Balanggarra Community, who are the native title owners of the land adjoining the Berkeley and King George rivers, have refused access to the land. Hence the reason why Dominica is not issuing land permits for this area. But this does not prevent you from boating on these rivers. It means that you don’t have permission to go ashore without a land permit, which you are unlikely to get at this time without special permission from the Balanggarra Community.

I wont publish his name or contact details in this forum, but if anyone wants to contact the North Kimberley Marine Park Ranger, who works at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, and is responsible for the WATER part of the Marine Park, I will pass on his email address. Contact me via the Contact Page.

Cheers, Ross – KCCYC

Thanks Ross.

We are lucky to have someone to clarify these conflicting answers for us.  I was confused to say the least. See you out there up the rivers!

Robert

Hi All

I can confirm that access to the waters of the North Kimberley Marine Park are NOT restricted. If anyone wishes to clarify this or any other issues please contact me at the East Kimberley district office on 08 91684200 or via email on ekdmarine@dbca.wa.gov.au

Cheers Sean McGee

East Kimberley Marine and Island Coordinator

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by NKMP.