It was finally time to pack up and make our way to Purnululu or the Bungle Bungles. This has been on my bucket list. We had been told that the 53 km access road takes up to 2 hours so we didn’t want to leave Kununurra too late. After refreshing supplies it was time to drive the 300 km south to the park.
The access road was not as bad as previous reports having been freshly graded, however the winding road and numerous blind corners still took just over an hour to negotiate.
We checked in and chose a secluded camp site at Kurrajong, one of two camp grounds, to spend the next two nights. The camping grounds were nearly empty with almost the whole place to ourselves.
There are lots of hikes throughout the park, which is separated into north and south. The south is best done in the morning prior to the sun getting too high and hot. We had a full day to see as much as we could.
Kungkalanayi lookout
The Kungkalanayi lookout is a short drive from the campground to watch the colours of the range change at sunset. What amazed me more is that after the good wet season the tufts of green spinifex made for a green rolling hill effect.
The domes
What the Bungle Bungles are known for can be seen in a short 700 m loop directly from the car park. It’s easy access and is shaded. Be sure to use the facilities in the car park before setting off as there are none once you start walking.
The window
While we felt good and energetic we decided to walk to the furthermost point we wanted to visit then do the other viewpoints on the way back. I’m not sure whether this worked in our favour or not.
Basically, you follow the creek line with points of interest being short tracks off. We initially caught a glimpse of the Window about half way up the side track and thought “why did we bother”, but we perservered and climbed up to the window for a pretty unique view of the Bungle Bungles. And also some crafty photos.
Picaninny Creek Lookout
Tracing back to the carpark you pass Picaninny Creek Lookout, just a “short” (they’re starting to feel long) 600 m from the creek is a little view looking out along Picaninny Creek.
Cathedral Gorge
The last stop on the way back to the carpark was Cathedral Gorge, this is where we started running into all the “tourists”. The shade was a welcome relief from the sun we had been walking in, and there is such beauty here.
After stopping by camp to cool off, hydrate and have a bite to eat it was off to the northern section of the park.
Osmond Lookout
just to the north of the carpark for Echidna Chasm is an elevated lookout, so think short and steep, for a view of the Osmond Range. the views are amazing, but the camera just didn’t do it justice.
Echidna Chasm
I ventured in just after lunch which meant the sun shining in the chasm was close to it’s best. It’s a narrow track that reminded me of Antelope Canyon in Arizona, particularly with the sun peeking through, although less smooth. I found it pretty easy even after the nearly 8 km walked earlier in the day.
The Wayfarers Lens 