About this place
In 1819, 1820 and 1821-22 Lieutenant Phillip Parker King became the first person to accurately chart the Kimberley coast in the Mermaid, an 84t cutter, and the Bathurst.
Due to a leak in the hull, the Mermaid King was obliged to beach the vessel for repairs in what is now Prince Regent National Park. On 8 October 1820 he wrote:
“The country in the vicinity of the bay, which, from the use we made of it, was called Careening Bay, is only slightly covered with a poor, stony soil; but notwithstanding this drawback, the hills are well wooded, and vegetation… abundant.”
The King described the Aboriginal huts near their encampment:
“Besides the huts on the beach, which were merely strips of bark bent over to form a shelter from the sun, there were others on the top of the hill over the tents, of a larger and more substantial construction… The fire-places near them were strewed with the nuts of the sago palm, the fruit of which appears to be generally eaten by the natives of the north and north-west coasts".
When you are entering the Kimberley or Pilbara regions, you are entering crocodile country. The Kimberley area is home to saltwater and freshwater crocodiles so visitors need to be careful and take notice of all advice and warning signs.
Safety information
Plan when to visit. Consider travelling with a personal location beacon (PLB). In the event you need to be rescued it could save your life!
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 the Kununurra Crocodile Control Zone, please contact the Parks and Wildlife Service office in Kununurra on (08) 9168 4200.
Plants, wildlife and fungi
Visit the Atlas of Living Australia for a list of species recorded within a 5km radius of Mermaid Tree.
Traditional Owners
We recognise and acknowledge Worrorra, Wunambul and Ngarinyin people as the traditional owners of Prince Regent National Park.
The Uunguu Native Title claim overlies part of the park and joint management arrangements are being developed with the Worrorra traditional owners.
A Dambimangari visitor pass must be purchased to visit the park. To find out more and to purchase your pass online visit the Dambimangari website.