Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DON'T MISS
PURNULULU NATIONAL PARK & BUNGLE BUNGLE RANGE
Looking like a packet of half-melted Jaffas, the World Heritage-listed
Purnululu National Park
(per car $11;
Apr-Dec) is home to the incredible ochre and black striped 'beehive' domes of the Bungle Bungle Range.
The distinctive rounded rock towers are made of sandstone and conglomerates moulded by rainfall over mil-
lions of years. Their stripes are the result of oxidised iron compounds and algae. To the local Kidja people,
purnu-
lulu
means sandstone, with Bungle Bungle possibly a corruption of 'bundle bundle', a common grass. Whitefellas
only 'discovered' the range during the mid-1980s.
Over 3000 sq km of ancient country contains a wide array of wildlife, including over 130 bird species.
Kun-
gkalahayi Lookout
has a fine view of the range. Look for tiny bats high on the walls above palm-fringed
Echidna Chasm
(a one-hour return walk) in the north, but it's the southern area comprising aptly named
Cathed-
ral Gorge
(a 45-minute return walk) that's most inspiring. Remote and pristine
Piccaninny Gorge
is best experi-
enced as an overnight round trip (30km return); check with the park's visitor centre for details. The restricted
gorges in the northern park can only be seen from the air.
Rangers are based here April to December and the park is closed outside this time. The turn-off is 53km south
of Warmun and you'll need a high-clearance 4WD for the 52km twisting, unsealed road to the visitor centre.
There are five deep, permanent creek crossings, so allow 2½ hours.
Kurrajong Camp Site
( May-Sep) and
Walardi Camp Site
( Apr-Dec) have fresh water and toilets (sites per person $11). Book online via the DEC
(
Click here
), allowing at least 48 hours' notice. Alternatively,
Mabel Downs Station
(Bungle Bungle Caravan
Park; 08-9168 7220;
www.bunglebunglecaravanpark.com.au
;
tent sites/powered sites $30/45, safari tents
with/without en suite $ 225/120) offers camping just 1km from the highway (outside the park). Don't expect
much privacy: tents are jammed between choppers and ridiculously long trailers. Various tours are available.
Tours
Most Kimberley tour operators include Purnululu in multi-day tours. See
Click here
for tours operating from
Kununurra. You can also pick up tours at Warmun Roadhouse, Halls Creek and Mabel Downs. Helicopters will
get you closer than fixed-wing flights.
East Kimberley
( 08-9168 2213;
www.eastkimberleytours.com.au
; tours from $180) Has a wide range of
tours from both Kununurra and Warmun.
Sling Air
( 1800 095 500;
www.slingair.com.au
; 18/30/48min flights $225/299/495) Runs helicopter flights
from Bellburn airstrip in the park, as well as fixed-wing flights from Warmun and Kununurra.
Bungle Bungle Expeditions
( 08-9168 7220;
www.bunglebungleexpeditions.com.au
; bus day/overnight
$250/695, helicopter from $250) Various 4WD bus and helicopter tours run from the caravan park on Mabel
Downs, near the highway.
