Bungle Bungles access from the Duncan Road

Submitted: Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 00:49

ThreadID: 80308 Views:4374 Replies:4 FollowUps:6

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Member - Rod L (VIC)

Hi. We are travelling to the Kimberly in a week from Vic. via the centre and Tanami rd. Does anyone know if the Tanami road between the Lajumanu turnoff and WA border is open yet? The latest update I can find is the 16th July which said it was still impassable due to flooding.
If it is still shut then we will go up to Kalkarinji them west to Halls Creek but as we want to camp in the Bungle Bungles thought it may be possible to access them from the east side off the Duncan road. My map doesn't show any access from that side.
Does anyone have any info regarding this?
Thanks and Cheers.Rod

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Reply By: Wayne (NSW) - Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 07:21

Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 07:21

Rod,

As far as I know there is only one way into the Bungle Bungle (Purnululu Nation Park) and that is off the Great Northern Hwy.

The Bungle Bungle is surrounded by private property and the only other tracks that are in the area are private station tracks.

Wayne

AnswerID: 425229

Follow Up By: Member - Rod L (VIC) - Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 07:51

Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 07:51

Thanks for you reply Wayne.

I suspected that may have been the case. Looks like we will have to go thru Halls Creek whichever way we go. Not a problem.

All the best

Rod

FollowupID: 695777

Reply By: Qldrrr - Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 07:29

Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 07:29

Hi Rod, I'm at Yulara and hoping to start the Tanami out of Alice within the next 4 days, I rang a station on the road 3 days ago and was advised it was open, I have spoken to other trekkers including tour operators who also advise it is open and in reasonable condition, I was about to ask the same question on the forum so hopefully someone that has just done the track will come on board. If it gets any more rain there may be problems, good luck
Dave

AnswerID: 425231

Follow Up By: Member - John B2 (VIC) - Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 07:51

Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 07:51

Rod

Have a look here

http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/roadreport/

In the lefthand menu click on All Reports by Region

We were on it when the May rain hit, we were on the WA side they closed it after we got off.

The NT side is better than the WA side which was fairly rough.

Cheers,
John

FollowupID: 695778

Follow Up By: Member - Rod L (VIC) - Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 08:00

Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 08:00

Thanks for your help Dave and John.

Yes it sounded like the only section closed was that top section b/t Ljamanu turnoff and the border. According to the Halls Creek shire a week ago it was open all the way from there to the NT border. The bloke at Rabbit flat would have a fair idea also I guess.
Thanks again

Rod

FollowupID: 695780

Follow Up By: Member - Rod L (VIC) - Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 08:06

Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 08:06

John

just checked that site and it looks like it has re-opened. Caution, high clearance with water over road b/t Tilmouth Well and WA border.
So we should be right with no more rain.
Thanks for the tip.
Cheers
Rod

FollowupID: 695781

Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 09:37

Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 09:37

The Hema maps for that area indicate nothing re access to the Bungles from the east (probably because those maps seek to provide info for tourists on what is possible, more than what is there :-o). The Geoscience maps that came with my Hema5 indicate a number of minor station tracks associated wit the Duncan Rd, in and around the back of the park - one or two run into the park. There's even an abandoned racecourse designated, adjacent the Ord ! Still, access to the park from anywhere but the main road would be impractical I'm sure.

AnswerID: 425240

Follow Up By: Member - Rod L (VIC) - Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 16:08

Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 16:08

Thanks for the tip Darian.
Might give the people at Nicholson stn. a ring.
Would certainly be a route less travelled!
Cheers Rod

FollowupID: 695827

Reply By: Expletive - Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 10:09

Monday, Jul 26, 2010 at 10:09

Rod,i came down the Duncan rd from the nth a couple of wks ago before the the rain & found the rd was ok & the scenery through old Halls crk & the eastern side of the Bungles very impressive.Was also on halfway down the Tanimi when the rains came down (oh what a time i had)several 180's on the wet rd had the heart in my mouth a few times.Enjoy your travels.

Cheers Bob.

AnswerID: 425247