Australia's Travellers Club - The Bungle Bungles

	The Bungle Bungles
	Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park, located south west of Kununurra, is one of the main reasons why people travel to the Kimberley. Over the last 20 million years erosion and river movements have formed huge black and orange striped domes. As unbelievable as it seems, this area was kept a secret by locals until 1982, and was made a national park in 1987. The extremely fragile domes can be seen by scenic flight and from the ground. A combination of both is best. Two nights is ideal to spend in the area. The park can be broken into two areas, north and south. The southern end of the park is where Piccaninny Creek and Cathedral Gorge are located and where you'll find the beehive domes. Mornings are the best time of day to view this area. The northern area of the park is best viewed in the afternoon and this is where you'll find Echidna Chasm and Mini Palms. Every kilometre between the main highway and the rock range is filled with ridge after ridge of jagged rock formations, interspersed with soaks and creeks which are impassable until well into the dry season and then only with a 4WD driven by an experienced four-wheel-driver. The Bungle Bungle is best enjoyed from April through to October. This is due to road access and the extreme weather conditions. It becomes quite hot and humid between November and April, with heavy rains. Other times, scenic flights are the best way to view it. Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park has been home to Aboriginal people for thousans of years. The area is rich in Aboriginal art and there are also many burial sites. The name Purnululu means sandstone in the local Kija language. Bungle Bungle is thought to be a corruption of this, or a misspelling of the common Kimberley grass, bundle bundle. Carbon dating shows Aboriginal people have lived in the area for at least 20,000 years and it's possible that further studies will reveal even earlier occupation. © Travellers Club 1997-2005. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer . Privacy Statement. Licence #9TA1199. ABN 73 096 857 555 553-561 Wellington St, Perth Western Australia. Ph +61 (8) 9226 0660, Fax +61 (8) 9226 0661 Site designed by Travellers Club. Please email the Webmaster should you experience any difficulties.