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Bungle Bungles - Purnululu NP Section Image

Bungle Bungles - Purnululu NP

Difficulty: Trek rating 3 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 3 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 3 of 5 - Click for details   Suitable for: 4WD Camper 
This trek takes in the magnificent Bungle Bungles - a unique and visually striking collection of dome-shaped rock formations that resemble beehives due to their distinctive dark grey and orange stripes. These are located within the Purnululu National Park off the Great Northern Highway between the towns of Halls Creek and Kununurra.
StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesHalls Creek
FinishKununurra
Distance560.58 kmMinimum Days3
Average Speed61.04 km/hrDriving Time9 hours 11 mins
Article By: ExplorOz Team   Updated: 15 Sep 2008
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 Description

Purnululu National Park is located within the East Kimberley region and is only accessible for vehicles entering from the Great Northern Highway. Travelling time to the ranger station is approximately 5 hours from Kununurra and 4 hours from Halls Creek with the last 2.5 hours requiring four wheel drive. There is no accommodation other than camping and facilities are very limited - the wilderness aspect is one the park's main attractions. For those that wish to camp but are without access to a 4WD vehicle, tours operate out of Broome, Kununurra and Halls Creek. Visitors with limited time or those that wish to fully appreciate the immense grandeur of the Bungle Bungle range can pick up scenic flights from Kununurra, Halls Creek, or Turkey Creek. Established as a National Park in 1987, and listed by the World Heritage Committee in 2003, Purnululu (formerly known as the Bungle Bungles) is one of Western Australia’s best known tourist destinations. Our Trek Note provides self-drive information for visitors accessing the park by 4WD vehicle.

Visitors typically come to Purnululu to experience the visually striking Bungle Bungles - a range dominated by 450 sq. km of dome-shaped sandstone rock formations that are said to look like beehives due to their distinctive dark grey and orange horizontal stripes. Walks in the southern section of the park provide ground visitors with access to these famous banded beehive domes. However, Purnululu also contains numerous gorges, cliffs, sandy plains and surprisingly unique flora and fauna. The Livistona palms found in the Mini Palms Gorge and Echidna Chasm in the northern section give evidence that Purnululu was once a much wetter region.

Whilst off-road trailers are permitted into the National Park, the 53km access track from the highway to the park entrance is definitely 4WD only and is not suitable for caravans. The Spring Creek Track consists of around 50 creek crossings and some sections of the undulating terrain will require low range 4WD gearing. The track passes through the Mabel Downs Station where camping is strictly prohibited and a 50km/hr speed limit is enforced. This part of the trip will take and around 2hrs without a trailer – and probably 30 minutes more if you are towing a trailer. The views along the route are sensational and if you are travelling in convoy, you’ll probably be tempted to get a few photos of vehicles making the river crossings. Many of the crossings are dense with vegetation and you'll experience sweeping views of river bends, beautiful river gums and pandanus. People who tow trailers will find themselves travelling at a slower pace so consideration and care should be given to other drivers along this often narrow single lane track. At the end of the Spring Creek Track you will come across the ranger station where you will need to pay your entry fee (or quote your park pass number) and pay your camping fees and select your camp ground.

Purnulu National Park has two distinct sections; the Northern section is noted for its steep and narrow gorges and its main attractions are Echidna Chasm, Kungkalanayi Lookout and Mini Palms Gorge. This part of the park is best experienced in the afternoon. The Southern section is quite different; here you'll be able to access the well-known beehive domes in the Piccaninny Creek area and the Cathedral Gorge, which are best experienced in the early morning.

You will need a minimum of two days to visit the main attractions.

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Bungle Bungles - Purnululu NP Help

From: Halls Creek
To: Kununurra

Distance: 560.58 km
Direction: 23 °
Average Speed: 61.04 km/hr
Travel Time: 9 hours 11 mins

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 Things to See & Do

Echidna Chasm - WA   RatingRatingRatingRatingRating
Gorge 
Spectacular chasm in Bungle Bungle Range within Purnululu National Park. 2km return walk from carpark. A joint in the sandstone and conglomerate rock has been widened by water erosion thus enabling human entry. Steel ladder to access the innermost section
Kununurra - WA   RatingRatingRatingRating
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Aboriginal Lands,Communities Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel
Kununurra is the main population centre of the East Kimberley and is considered the gateway for tourists to this remote and intriging ancient region. Kununurra is located on the Victoria Highway, 1057km east of Broome and over 3000km from Perth.
Cathedral Gorge - WA   
Gorge Walk Track
Gorge in Purnululu NP (Bungle Bungles). An easy 2km stroll looping via the Domes Walk or directly from the carpark. 26km from Ranger Station along a scenic road with many photo opportunities.
A visit to the Bungle Bungles by vehicle will give you just one perspective. To truly appreciate the size and scope of the landscape you really must take a scenic air tour. During the dry season, an airstrip operates from within the park servicing helicopter tours.

 Preparation

A well equipped 4WD vehicle is necessary to make the 2 hour long journey along the Spring Creek Track to reach the entrance to the National Park. Visitors must be fully self-sufficient with all food, water and camping gear to last the duration of their stay. Bore water is available from the camp sites, however it must be boiled before drinking. Bins are not provided so all rubbish must be carried out with you. A basic first aid kit should be taken on all walking trails as there are no services or facilities to assist people that become injured. There is no fuel available within the park. Nearest fuel service is Turkey Creek (Warnum). Plan to stay at least one night. You will need a minimum of two days to visit the main attractions.

Fuel Supplies & Usage

Fuel SymbolHalls Creek, Warmun (Turkey Creek), Woolah (Doon Doon), Kununurra Diesel4cyl 78 litres ULP4cyl 91 litres LPG4cyl 112 litres
6cyl 86 litres6cyl 101 litres6cyl 99 litres
8cyl 88 litres8cyl 93 litres
Usage is averaged from TrekFuel (* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

The park is closed each year from 1 January to 31 March due to the wet seasons impact on roads and park facilities.

Closest Climatic Station

Warmun
Distance from Trek Mid Point 1.75km SE
 JanFebMarAprMayJun JulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C 37.336.235.935.2 32.229.629.532.3 36.038.739.438.5
Mean Min. °C 24.724.423.320.7 17.213.812.614.9 19.423.025.025.1
Mean Rain mm 177.4174.5118.024.3 9.56.15.71.3 4.421.357.8112.7
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Services & Supplies

The following locations have various services and supplies: Halls Creek, Warmun (Turkey Creek), Woolah (Doon Doon), Kununurra

 Camp Sites & Accommodation

Kununurra - WA   RatingRatingRatingRating
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Aboriginal Lands,Communities Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel
Kununurra is the main population centre of the East Kimberley and is considered the gateway for tourists to this remote and intriging ancient region. Kununurra is located on the Victoria Highway, 1057km east of Broome and over 3000km from Perth.
Cockburn Rest Area - WA   RatingRatingRatingRating
Camp Free 
Cockburn Rest Area is found just off the Great Northern Highway, near Victoria Highway Junction. It is roughly 55kms south of Wyndham.
Spring Creek - WA   RatingRatingRatingRating
Camp Free 
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Halls Creek - WA   RatingRatingRating
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Food,Shopping Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services
The new township of Halls Creek is small but has a continuous flow of tourist trade to keep it busy. It is mostly an Aboriginal settlement. Halls Creek services a growing tourist trade in the area. There is a hotel, motel, caravan park, two roadhouses and several tours to the nearby Bungle Bungles and Wolfe Creek Crater.
Warmun (Turkey Creek) - WA   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Food,Shopping Aboriginal Lands,Communities Camp Fee Resort,Motel
Warmun Art Centre to view artwork from leading Aboriginal artists. Gija Visitor Information - Ph: (08) 9168 7882 (holiday season only) Turkey Creek Roadhouse - Phone: (08) 9168 7882
Woolah (Doon Doon) - WA   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Fuel Water Supply Toilet Food,Shopping Aboriginal Lands,Communities Camp Fee
Doon Doon Roadhouse - Phone: (08) 9167 8004 Aboriginal Cultural Tours Great food .Every sort of nick nack you could want..clean and tidy overnight accomodation and vans .freindly staff
Kurrajong Camp - WA   
Camp Free 
Nice camp
Dunham River Rest Area - WA   
Camp Free 
Dunham River Rest Area is located just off the Great Northern Highway, around 115kms north of Turkey Creek.
Cockburn South Rest Area - WA   
Camp Free 
Cockburn South Rest Area is found just off the Great Northern Highway, roughly 130kms north of Turkey Creek.
Most visitors camp for several days so it is essential to be well equipped. Driving is required from either camp to access the walking trails and main points of interest in the park, however magnificent sunset views of the nortwestern side of the Bungle Bungle Massif can be enjoyed from the northern Kurrajong Camp. Both campgrounds (Kurrajong to the north, Walardi to the south) are set up the same way with water taps and toilets, but no rubbish bins - you must take all your own rubbish out with you. Set areas have been allocated for people with generators and all campsites are well spaced allowing you to enjoy the camping experience. Tour groups stay at a third camp called Bellbird.

 Environment

(extracts courtesy Nature Base) The Bungle Bungle Range sits 578m above sea level. The range stands 200 to 300 metres above a woodland and grass-covered plain, with steep cliffs on the western face. Elsewhere, particularly where Piccaninny Creek has formed Piccaninny Gorge, the range is cut by deep gullies and breaks up into complex areas of ridges and domes, with prominent orange and black or grey bands.

The distinctive beehive-shaped landforms seen today have been produced by uplift and erosion caused during the last 20 million years.

More than 130 bird species are the park's most visible animals, including rainbow bee-eaters and flocks of budgerigars. The nailtail wallaby and euro live around the massif, while the short-eared rock-wallaby and euro are thought to live on top. Several species of rare animals also occur in the park.

 History

European knowledge of the Bungle Bungles is relatively new - in fact it wasn't until a television documentary released aerial footage in the mid-1980s that people began "visiting" the area.

Prior to it's "discovery", Aboriginals lived in the Ord River region from at least 40,000 years ago. These hunter-gathers moved from the desert to the uplands in the wet season, to foothill pools after the rains and along the river in the dry season, when this became a vital resource and refuge. Today, the Bungle Bungles area is rich in Aboriginal art and there are also many burial sites.

Pastoralists began to use the area from 1884 and a wide area throughout the Ord River grasslands was used for grazing cattle. In 1885 the gold rush hit Halls Creek (just 100km to the south) and miners settled in the region. Yet still, only a handful of people ever came to see the wonderful Bungle Bungle range hidden deep within the East Kimberley landscape until a photographer took the air in the 1980s and shared the video footage of the Bungle Bungle massif with the world. It only took a couple of years after the release of this aerial footage for the government of Western Australia to setup a National Park to protect and manage the area and less than 16 years later it became a World Heritage site.

 Driving Directions

Time
Direction
Distance
Halls Creek to Palm Creek, Great Northern Hwy 27.16 km NE 35° 18 min
Palm Creek, Great Northern Hwy to Little Panton River, Great Northern Hwy 20.99 km N 14 min
Little Panton River, Great Northern Hwy to Upper Panton River, Great Northern Hwy 9.84 km N 343° 8 min
Upper Panton River, Great Northern Hwy to Leycesters Rest 44.15 km NE 24° 32 min
Leycesters Rest to Ord River, Great Northern Hwy 0.6 km N 339°
Ord River, Great Northern Hwy to Spring Creek 6.61 km NE 41° 4 min
Spring Creek to Great Northern Hwy & Purnululu NP Access 0.67 km NE 61°
Great Northern Hwy & Purnululu NP Access to Frank River, Spring Creek Tk 39 km E 81° 1 hr 15 min
Frank River, Spring Creek Tk to Three Way Junction 12.79 km E 110° 26 min
Three Way Junction to Piccaninny Creek, Spring Creek Tk 23.89 km SE 137° 36 min
Piccaninny Creek, Spring Creek Tk to Cathedral Gorge 2.59 km N 352° 5 min
Cathedral Gorge to Piccaninny Creek, Spring Creek Tk 2.59 km S 172° 5 min
Piccaninny Creek, Spring Creek Tk to Three Way Junction 23.89 km NW 317° 36 min
Three Way Junction to Kurrajong Camp 6.25 km NE 32° 10 min
Kurrajong Camp to Echidna Chasm 15.42 km NE 53° 31 min
Echidna Chasm to Kurrajong Camp 15.42 km SW 233° 31 min
Kurrajong Camp to Three Way Junction 6.25 km SW 212° 10 min
Three Way Junction to Frank River, Spring Creek Tk 12.79 km W 290° 26 min
Frank River, Spring Creek Tk to Great Northern Hwy & Purnululu NP Access 39 km W 261° 1 hr 15 min
Great Northern Hwy & Purnululu NP Access to Fletchers Creek, Great Northern Hwy 12.45 km NE 32° 9 min
Fletchers Creek, Great Northern Hwy to Warmun (Turkey Creek) 40.41 km NE 26° 28 min
Warmun (Turkey Creek) to Telegraph Creek 20.26 km NE 23° 16 min
Telegraph Creek to Bow River, Great Central Hwy 9.27 km N 360° 6 min
Bow River, Great Central Hwy to Woolah (Doon Doon) 62.46 km N 356° 41 min
Woolah (Doon Doon) to Dunham River Rest Area 25.15 km NE 36° 17 min
Dunham River Rest Area to Cockburn South Rest Area 17.73 km N 22° 11 min
Cockburn South Rest Area to Great Northern Hwy & Victoria Hwy 17.99 km N 340° 11 min
Great Northern Hwy & Victoria Hwy to Cockburn Rest Area 0.51 km W 254°
Cockburn Rest Area to Kununurra West Rest Area 32.12 km E 70° 19 min
Kununurra West Rest Area to Dunham River, Victoria Hwy 4.71 km SE 129° 3 min
Dunham River, Victoria Hwy to Kununurra 7.61 km E 82° 6 min
Halls Creek to Kununurra 560.58 km     9 hr 11 min
Distance is GPS recorded driving distance (not straight line), Direction is straight line from start to end, Time is calculated from actual GPS driving data.

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Hooroo WA : 4 Jun 09 22:15
Hello everyone, Quick question, I know in the bungle bungles that...
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