About this park
Way up north in remote Kimberley waters, Lalang-gaddam Marine Park spans approximately 1.3 million hectares of Dambeemangarddee Sea Country, from the Buccaneer Archipelago to Prince Regent River in the north. The marine park is approximately 50km north of Derby and 300km north of Broome.
You may have known these places as Camden Sound, Lalang-garram/Horizontal Falls, North Lalang-garram and Maiyalam marine parks but they are now referred to collectively as Lalang-gaddam Marine Park. Lalang-gaddam’ means ‘the ocean’ and evokes the saltwater as a spiritual place and place of abundance.
Get ready to discover diverse seascapes of fringing waddaroo (coral reefs), spectacular gorges, estuarine systems and galaab (beaches). Spot wildlife such as barnarddee (birds) and fish for ilerdda (barramundi) in jindirm (mangrove) lined creeks and bays. The park is also home to the awe-inspiring Garaan-ngaddim (Horizontal Falls) and Yowjab (Montgomery Reef), two of the most incredible places that should probably be on your bucket list.
The best way to visit the park, if you don’t have access to a boat, is to join one of the many expedition cruise vessels that operate between Broome, Wyndham, Darwin and Cairns.
Responsible fishing is permitted outside the sanctuary zones. Make sure you know your zones, bag sizes and season limits. Barramundi, mackerel, trevally, grouper and shark could all end up on the supper menu!
Safety information
Plan when to visit. Read this safety information about what you need to know. Consider travelling with a personal location beacon (PLB). In the event you need to be rescued it could save your life!
When you are entering the Kimberley or Pilbara regions, you are entering crocodile country. Two species of crocodile occur in Western Australia: the estuarine (or saltwater) crocodile and the freshwater crocodile. The estuarine crocodile is the largest living reptile and is considered to be a dangerous predator. Freshwater crocodiles are smaller and not as aggressive.
Crocs are common, crocs move around and crocs are deadly so Be Crocwise.
- Download the Crocodiles information guide.
- Pay attention to all warning signs, however just because a sign isn’t there doesn’t mean crocodiles aren’t present.
- If you are unsure don't swim, canoe or use small boats in estuaries, tidal rivers or pools and contact the nearest Parks and Wildlife office.
- If you see a crocodile showing signs of aggressive behaviour, OR is in a Broome Crocodile Control Zone, please contact Parks and Wildlife Service Broome office on (08) 9195 5500.
A 7km drone exclusion zone surrounding Garaanngaddim (Horizontal Falls) has been created for the safety of seaplanes and helicopters. The area surrounding the falls can become very busy with helicopters and seaplanes landing. For more information on flying remotely piloted aircraft / drones visit Drones in Parks.
Avoid seaplane landing areas and monitor marine channel 16 when in the vicinity of the falls.
It is part of Dambeemangarddee traditional cultural law and protocol not to travel through the falls when the tide is rushing through.
Safety is a major concern around the falls as tidal changes can create dangerous environmental conditions.
Gallery
Activities
Fishing
Plants, wildlife and fungi
Visit the Atlas of Living Australia for a list of species recorded in Lalang-gaddam Marine Park.
Traditional Owners
You are encouraged to view Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation’s Code of Conduct for visitors to Dambimangari country before entering Lalang-gaddam Marine Park.
