2019 tour
The 2019 is now over – we will announce the 2020 dates as soon as possible.
- E-mail [email protected] if you have any queries.
Burrup / Murujuga Tour
Experience the Burrup/Murujuga tour
Each year, FARA organises a week of discovery of what is perhaps the oldest and largest rock art landscape in the world.
FARA has been offering its annual Burrup Murujuga Rock Art Tour for over ten years, giving people from all over Australia and beyond a chance to experience the unique heritage offered by this extraordinary country.
Every year a diverse group of 40 to 50 people spend a week exploring the treasures of the Burrup Peninsula/Murujuga under the expert guidance of FARA’s wonderful guides- Robin Chapple, Gary Slee and Ken Mulvaney.
In recent years, Rangers from the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) have offered FARA Tourers a Welcome to Country and joined us for short periods. More recently, they have started providing Cultural Inductions to visitors, to make them aware of how to behave appropriately on Country.
Every participant has ample opportunity to experience and learn about the range of styles that tell the story of continuous human occupation of the area over possibly the past 45,000 years.
Scaling the hillsides with care, the group witnesses the changing face of the rock, depending on the angle of the sun, the presence of shade or the viewing position. Participants experience the joy of discovery that keeps Ken, Robin and Gary going back to unlock the mysteries of past ages. Their knowledge and ability to communicate means we can all begin to understand some of what resides in this unique precinct.
The prolific nature of the art makes it clear to all visitors that any development on Murujuga (Burrup Peninsula) cannot avoid disturbing valuable rock images. The looming presence of industrial precincts adjacent to areas of concentrated archaic faces, macropods, marine life and ancient geometric patterns is a salutary experience for participants.
Seeing sites where industrial leases are still available reinforces the lunacy of pairing industry with this wild landscape.
Regular lunches at Hearson’s Cove are reached by a road adjacent to industry whose toxic emissions threaten the future existence of the rock art.
A ‘day off’ is enjoyed travelling to Roebourne to learn the sad history of the white settlement of the area in general and of the old gaol in particular. Tourers get to wander down the street to visit two vibrant Aboriginal Art Centres, with the opportunity to buy the exuberant artworks direct from the artists. Lunch and a leisurely afternoon follow at the historic Cossack village, where we enjoy the Cossack Art Award – a highlight of WA’s regional arts calendar, and another chance to buy Western Australian art.
Evenings are a relaxed affair back at camp where you can share the excitement of the day, uncover the two degrees of separation that is WA, make new friends and demolish the great food prepared for us by the friendly team at Cross Country Tours.
More recently we have introduced after dinner presentations by local experts, where some aspects of Murujuga are discussed in greater detail (for example, local flora).
The daily chatter, feedback from our travellers and written evaluation forms all confirm that FARA’s Burrup Murujuga Tour is a very special experience for everyone on board.
For further detailed information about the tour, and forms, please read below
Responsible walking
Please be aware that all participants must be capable of covering terrain that includes rocky pathways, dry riverbeds and large boulder groupings. We do not walk long distances without a break (max. approximately 2km) and minimal climbing is required. However, it can be hot and the surfaces are consistently uneven. Walking poles with rubber ends may assist and participants are encouraged to pace themselves at all times.
Walkers are grouped according to agreed ability and preferred speed. Agility levels may affect the extent of rock art you see but, as a guide, elderly participants of average fitness have all been extremely satisfied with their experience on the Tour.
Travel and accommodation options (based on 2019 tour)
In response to the changing demands of our participants, we have provided a number of options for you to consider in determining how you will travel, what accommodation and catering will suit you best and what price you want to pay.
For those travelling on the coach, we stay at Gateway Motel Carnarvon one night on the journey north and one night on the return journey. The balance of six nights is spent camping in roomy tents at Pilbara Holiday Park. You only have to put your tent up once! Air mattresses are provided for sleeping in the tents and sleeping bags or compact bedding are required. You may hire sleeping bags or bring your own.
Standard coach travellers’ costs are based on all travel, catering and twin share motel and tent accommodation ($2,800.00). You can pay an additional single supplement accommodation fee for either or both if you prefer to be on your own (see information pack). Similarly, if you choose to book a cabin it will be based on twin share unless you pay the additional single supplement fee. Limited cabins are available and will be booked on a first come, first served basis.
Self fly / drive travellers’ cost of $800 is based on you making your own arrangements for travel, accommodation and catering. For those who wish, we are now offering options that allow you to pay additional fees to cover either tent or cabin accommodation once you have got to Karratha and, if you choose, all catering. You can pay an additional single supplement accommodation fee if you prefer to be on your own. Again, limited cabins are available and will be booked on a first come, first served basis.