bungle bungles (purnululu)

The 4WD-only track into Purnululu is like driving through a landscape painting. Once in the park, the Bungle Bungle Range dominates with a number of highlights including two basic campgrounds and two safari camps. Don't miss sunset at Walanginjdii Lookout; a walk to Echidna Chasm, Mini Palms Gorge and Froghole Gorge in the northern end of the park. In the southern end you can do a Helispirit Helicopter Tour (if the budget allows) and the Domes Circuit stroll through the Beehive Domes is the 'must do' of the park. Walks in this area include easy Cathedral Gorge and a multi-day walk on the Gorge Track via Piccaninny Creek (this should only be attempted after consulting the ranger at the visitor centre). For those who don't have the 4WD skills to drive in on their own, there is always a helicopter ride from Kununurra or a tour with East Kimberley Tours or Kimberley Wilderness Adventures.

Flew into The Bungles from Kunannurra on a light plane taking in the breathtaking views of the landscape but nothing can prepare you for the actual Bungles. The heat, the smells, the views, the experience was beyond description. Hiking down Piccaninny Creek, walking through some of the gorges, resting in the shade beside reflective ponds. The overall experience takes on a spirituality all of it's own.The return flight takes us over the Argyle Diamond mine finishing off an awe inspiring day..

This is were some of my best pictures came from during my trip to Australia. I loved the rock formations agains the blue sky. The hike was not too rigorous.

This was fantastic for nature lovers, so many walks and so much to see. A beautiful full moon rose after taking stunning photo's of the Bungle Bungles at sunset and a dingo howled as we headed for camp, a magic end to the day.

Purnululu has been on my bucket list for ages, and to be there was just one of those magic moments in life. The only negative was the roads. Man, I don't know how the Department of Parks and Wildlife manages it, but their parks must have the worst roads in the world! We may have visited twenty of their parks and in every one of them it seems as if they have a policy and a team to get out there and make their roads extremely BAD! Anyways, back to Purnululu. We stayed in Kurrajong campsite and realised afterwards that Walardi may have offered better shade, but other that that it is six of the one and half a dozen of the other. Echidna Chasm should be visited in the middle of the day when the sun is vertical and lights up the walls of the chasm. What a breathtaking experience to walk the chasm! The southern part of the park is where the magic beehives are and I could not get enough of them. Seeing them from afar, driving closer and closer, the tension building until you are amongst them and walk around them - what an experience. Take a super wide angle lens with you for shots inside the Chasm and the gorges. A telephoto lens will help you compact the beehives from afar and give you the most beautiful landscapes and scenery shots. I used three lenses extensively - a 12 - 24 zoom, a 24 - 105 zoom and a 70 - 300 zoom. I did not use a flash, but I would strongly recommend you take all your shots in the chasm and gorges from a tripod - you need an f-stop of at least 13 or 18 to get everything sharp, which will drop your shutter speeds. The nights in the park were just as spectacular - not a sole in sight, not a human made sound, not a light - just you and the stars, an occasional cricket chirping. This is the place where you should sleep outside and under the stars to experience the magic. I want to go there again at different times of the year, just to see the different faces of Purnululu. The infamous road to the park is terribly corrugated for the first 13 kilos and then it turns into just another dirt road - until you hit the park, then it is back to BAD roads again. You don't need a 4x4 during the dry season to get in and out and around the park, however, it may be a different story just after the wet. However, your vehicle should have a high clearance and drop your tyre pressure to around 20 - 25 psi. Be careful on the road in for the 4x4 buses of the tour operators - they drive like mad men and could't care for other road users - just pull off the road if you see them and let them pass. Since they are the ones who are breaking up the road, they should be the ones fixing it - but I guess that will never happen! Enjoy Purnululu and stay longer - there is so much to see and do.

The rock formations and colours were amazing and quite unique. We really enjoyed the Cathedral walk and the walk to the Dome, although it was really hot when we did it. If we had known more about it in advance, we would have stayed overnight at the Caravan Park just inside the National Park gates, and done the walks as early as possible in the morning. Rough 4WD road in with a number of river crossings, that took us about 1.5 hours, but it was definitely worth it. There are tours that go from the Caravan Park into the National Park, and that's another option if you don't want to drive the track.

We stayed at Bungle Bungle bush camp in a self contained cabin. We self catered but catering available. Bruce was very welcoming. Pool fabulous after a hot day enjoying Cathedral Gorge and the Domes. A must see.

The road out is very rough so if you don't want to drive you can always take a tour 4WD bus trip out there! How ever you get there....just make the effort....you won't be sorry! It is the most spectacular geographical formations covering such a massive area and should be seen at some stage in your life. Don't leave out going to the Cathedral as it is incredible in its own right!

We spent a couple of nights inside the caravan park. We heard some horrendous stories about people leaving vans in the free camp outside the park. $45 pn We took the "bus trip" 4wd .It was $250 pp BUT if we had taken our car thru all the creeks etc and done a tyre we it would have cost us more. In addition to the tour we got lunch etc plus dinner at night and free nites accom in the park Fantastic

The two-hour drive off the highway into the park (4WD only) is a joy in itself. Plan to change drivers at the turn-off, though, as you will want to be fresh. I wouldn't fancy doing this if you've already done 400km! But this place is wonderful - particularly recommend Cathedral Gorge and Echidna Chasm - both easily do-able in a day if you spend two nights in the park. Memories that I will take to the grave.

Take the bus tour into the Bungles and do all the bushwalks to really appreciate how unique this area is.

lots to see and do. Over the 4 days we visited Cathedral Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Echinda Chasm, Picanny Lookout and the Domes. Took so many photos, which don't do justice to what we saw. We travelled with APT Wilderness Tour and all the locations had walking accessible for the youngest, oldest and those of us up for more adventure. A great way to see some remote parts of Western Australia.

We had the pleasure of spending 2 nights, 1 full day exploring this unbelievable landscape. Nature at it's very best. 4 years ago we flew over them from Kununurra, going in there and walking them is absolutely superb, not to be missed indeed.Make sure that you see Echidna Chasm, in our humble opinion THE best spot of the lot!

Purnululu was the highlight so far of our trip to the Kimberley.The Domes were every bit as amazing as I'd heard, but there was much more that I hadn't heard of, especially Echidna - which with every twist and turn down the canyon just kept surprising (tip: keep going until you are absolutely certain you can't go any further).The camping facilities are good - basic but very clean toilets - and the roads are quite passable even in a 2wd (we were there towards the end of the dry season so I assume the roads can be variable).Highly recommended

Nature is great and despite the long distance it is worthwile to go to. Especially Cathedral Gorge is so beautifull. Go early in the morning otherwise there are too many people and too hot.