Edition 165: 18th September 2008
Dear ExplorOz Reader,
It is with mixed emotions that we launch one of our new Trek Notes. We were just putting the finishing touches to our Bungle Bungles Trek Note when a major tragedy occurred within the Purnululu National Park a few days ago. A scenic flight tour helicopter crashed at the Bellburn Airstrip just after takeoff which sparked a bushfire that spread throughout the area. The three female passengers, aged between 19 and 20 from Kununurra and the 40-year-old male pilot died when the chopper went down. This magnificent National Park in the remote East Kimberley was only recently “discovered” by white people when an aerial photographer who took video footage from a helicopter showed the spectacular Bungle Bungle range with its unique beehive formations to television viewers in 1987. Since then, the majority of visitors to the park come by air with both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters widely available for scenic flights out of nearby Kununurra, Halls Creek, Warnum (Turkey Creek) and during the dry season from within the National Park. Whilst all aircraft have been grounded as a result of this tragedy, visitors can still access the park by vehicle. Our Bungle Bungles - Purnululu Trek Note provides all the information you need to plan such a trip.
Sandy Blight Junction Road
