Purnululu National Park
Bungle Bungle Ranges
The Kimberley
The Bungle Bungles, with its unique orange and black striped beehive mounds, is one of the most amazing geological landscapes in Australia. The range is located in the world heritage listed Purnululu National Park, some 250 kms from Kununurra or 100kms from Halls Creek.
The thousands of sandstone towers are one of the most photographed areas of The Kimberley and should not be missed. Moulded by millions of years of rain, the distinctive stripes are the result of algae growing in the more porous darker sections while oxidised iron is present in the red sections.
The turnoff from the highway to the Bungle Bungles is a 4WD only track and is only open April - December. Although only about 50kms from the Great Northern Highway, the going is very slow with rough roads and tight turns and takes a good 2-3 hours. That said the drive is one of the most spectacular in The Kimberley.
If you don't have access to a 4WD yourself, you can join tours or take scenic flights to the Bungle Bungles from Kununurra and Broome, or take a helicopter ride from Warmun (Turkey Creek). During the Wet season, a scenic flight is the only way to see the area.
Camping is the only accommodation available and there are two areas open to the public, one in the north near the Mini Palms and Echidna Chasm; and one in the south near Cathedral Gorge and Piccaninny Creek. Stop at the visitor centre to pay your camping fees.
Bungle Bungles Attractions
Bungle Bungles - Southern Walks
The southern walks take you through the well-known city of orange and black domes. The scenery is truly spectacular.
Domes Walk
This 1km Domes circuit gets you up close to the domes and leads you to the Cathedral Gorge walk. As you walk along the sandy part of the track there is a chance to see some aboriginal rock art.
Catherdal Gorge
Cathedral Gorge is a 3km return walk with stunning scenery culminating in a beautiful amphitheatre with clear water pool. Visible all over the park the huge termite mounds are particularly dramatic here.
To see the shear scale of the Cathedral Gorge, take a close look at the photo as there is a person in a white shirt standing at the base near the water.
Piccaninny Creek
The Piccaninny Creek walk is more challenging than the others but will reward you with the most spectacular views, gorges and pools. It is marked as an overnight walk and if you choose to do the whole walk you will need to register at the visitors centre.
Bungle Bungles - Northern Walks
The northern section of the park has a different but no less spectacular landscape with sweeping red cliffs and large gorges.
Mini Palms Gorge
The Mini Palms Gorge walk is 5kms return, and as the name suggests features amazing tall palms, some clinging precariously to the edge of the sweeping cliffs on either side of the gorge.
Echidna Chasm
At the right time of the day the Echidna Chasm, with its narrow path winding between towering rock walls that all but block out the sky, lights up with the reflection from the midday sun. It can get crowded at this time of day but the 2km walk is worthwhile at any time.
Bungle Bungles Lookouts
Walanginjdji Lookout
In the northern part of the park, the Walanginjdji Lookout is a great sunset spot. A short walk up the hill from the car park, there are seats there for you to take the view in from.
Kungkalanayi Lookout
The Kungkalanayi Lookout is also in the north and offers great late afternoon views of the range. This lookout is near the Echidna Chasm.
Halls Gap Weather - Average Temperatures and Rainfall
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Avg. Max (°C) | 36.8 | 35.7 | 35.4 | 33.8 | 30.0 | 27.2 | 27.2 | 29.9 | 34.0 | 37.2 | 38.4 | 37.8 |
| Avg. Min (°C) | 24.3 | 23.7 | 22.8 | 20.4 | 16.7 | 13.6 | 12.5 | 14.8 | 19.0 | 22.7 | 24.5 | 24.7 |
| Avg. Rain (mm) | 152.8 | 144.0 | 77.2 | 20.3 | 12.4 | 5.8 | 5.4 | 2.0 | 4.4 | 16.8 | 37.4 | 81.5 |
| Avg. Rain Days | 13.4 | 12.6 | 8.0 | 2.5 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 6.4 | 10.8 |