So Much World, Not Enough Time!: Purnululu- The Domes and Chasms of the Bungle Bungle Range.

The drive in is one of the most beautiful in the Kimberley. Only four wheel drives and single axle off road trailers are permitted to travel on the 53 kms road on the most corrugated, winding, scenic drive through Mabel Downs cattle station taking close to 2 hours before you reach the World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park. The roads within the park are in much better condition.

View from Sunset ridge of the north side of the Bungle Bungle range

We camped at the north end Kurrajong Campsite close to the sunset viewing area on a ridge that looks out across the Bungle Bungle Range as the colours change across the sandstone cliffs. The campsite was simple, but spacious. There are well maintained drop toilets and water. Our friends set up a shower tent with an instant
gas hot water system that was much appreciated after a hot day of walking.

The Domes with termite mounds seeking high ground

Our day exploring the Bungles on foot and in the air was spectacular. The morning hike was around the Domes and into Cathedral Gorge on the south side of the range. The winds of the Tanami Desert have shaped the sandstone for over 300 million years forming these beehive shaped magnificent domes stripped orange, black and grey.

Walk to Cathedral Gorge

Cathedral Gorge

Before heading back to the campsite four of us took a helicopter flight over the range. My first ever helicopter flight was exciting not only because of the spectacular scenery, but because there was no door and only a lapsash seatbelt to hold me in. At one stage, as I busily took photos, my arm went a little too far out and got caught by the wind dragging it back. I learnt quickly not to do that again.

The first massif you fly over is the same width and length of Uluru (Ayers Rock) although half the height, yet it looks tiny compared to the range that fills the view in front of you.

If you have the chance to take this flight, do! The truly awesome view provided a sence of just how huge this range is and gave a perspective over the domes that highlighted the abstract shapes formed by the power of water and wind.

Lunch and a quiet afternoon was spent at the camp as we let the hottest part of the day (37C) pass us over. In the late afternoon we headed for the northern end to explore Echidna Chasm. The chasm formed by water erosion is a very different experience to the domes. Here you walk to the chasm along a pebbly creek bed under Livestona palms into the chasm with its walls up to 200m high and, at times, only 2 meters width. As we walked out the sun was setting lighting the cliffs bright orange.