Millstream Chichester National Park
Millstream – Chichester National Park is the homeland of the Yinjibarndi people.
The park’s main attractions are it’s significant cultural importance and the abundance of freshwater. The pools at Millstream are believed to have been created by the Warlu Serpent as he searched for two disobedient boys. After swallowing the boys he drowned the rest of their tribe. Aboriginal people believe that the Warlu continues to live in the murky depths of Deep Reach Pool.
In Yinjibarndi Law it is said that in the beginning the sky was very low. When the creation spirits got up from the ground, they lifted the sky and the world out of the sea. The creation spirits are called Marrga and they still live in the rocky mountains and gullies. In the early morning, the mist over the water represents smoke from their breakfast fires.
Large freshwater bodies are unique in the arid Pilbara, and Millstream proves to be a popular spot with weary dusty travellers. The delta is a unique wetland, fed by a natural aquifer within the Fortescue River catchment. It’s large permanent water holes are shaded by cadjeputs or paperbarks (Melaleuca argentea) river red gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and native Millstream Palms (Livistona alfredii). Many birds live in the vegetation surrounding the pools, and others , adapted to dry conditions, out on the Spinifex plains. The park is home to more than 30 species of dragonflies and damselflies which can be seen flitting around the pools.
Millstream was once a pastoral station and the old homestead building is now a visitor centre. Euros and Kangaroos often graze the homestead lawns.
A walktrail takes you around Jirndawurrunha pools, and another links the homestead with Crossing Pool and Cliff Lookout. Camping areas have basic amenities including gas Bbq’s, picnic tables and biolytic or composting toilets.
Sunsets are spectacular when viewed from Cliff Lookout.
The park is managed jointly by the Dept of Environment and Conservation and the Jirndawurrunha Park Council, which represents the interests of local Aboriginal people. The best time to visit is from April to October.