The Bungle Bungles is located 3,088 km northeast of Perth via the coast road, Broome and Halls Creek. They are situated 164 km northeast of Halls Creek and can be reached by a 55 km long 4WD-only road from the main highway.
Geologically, the Bungle Bungles trace back around 350-375 million years to the sediments laid down in the Ord Basin.
Prior to the arrival of European pastoralists and explorers, the territory surrounding the Bungle Bungles held deep cultural significance for the Kitja people of Kimberley.
In the early 1880s, Patrick Durack, drawn by promising reports of the grazing potential in the Kimberley, dispatched his brother Michael to evaluate land along the Ord River. This reconnaissance led to a significant endeavour as Durack undertook a historic cattle drive, transporting 7,250 breeding cattle and 200 horses across a staggering 3,000-mile (4,828 km) trek from Western Queensland to stock the Argyle and Ivanhoe stations.
The region encompassing Purnululu saw its initial settlement by Patrick (Patsy) Durack in 1882.
During the early years of white settlement in the Kimberley, tragic massacres of the Kitja people were tragically common. Fleeing these violent conflicts, the Kitja retreated to the safety of the Bungle Bungles, ascending to the plateau using notched tree trunks that they would pull up after them to impede pursuit.
Recognizing its profound cultural and natural value, the Purnululu National Park earned its designation as a World Heritage site in 2003.
Origin of the Name
The meaning and origins of the term 'Bungle Bungle' remain a mystery. The local Kitja Aborigines refer to the area as Purnululu, which means 'sandstone'. There is no record of 'Bungle Bungle' in their language. According to some experts, it could be a variation of 'bundle bundle,' a type of grass that is prevalent in the region.
Explore one of the wonders of Australia and wander through the gorges around the beehive formations.
Bungle Bungles
The Bungle Bungles, a unique formation, were created by the layering of deposits deposited in the area around 350 million years ago. Although smaller versions of it exist at the Lost City in the NSW Blue Mountains and the Lost City near the Gulf of Carpentaria in the Northern Territory, the Bungle Bungles were never aggressively promoted as a tourist attraction. Consequently, the challenging 4WD-only road that leads to the site has not been updated in the last three decades. The optimal way to view the Bungle Bungles is to take an aerial tour of the entire formation and then explore at least one of the gorges on foot.
How To Get There
Also known as Purnululu to the local Kitja Aborigines, the Bungle Bungles are situated northeast of Halls Creek, approximately 109 km from the Great Northern Highway.
The road leading to the site is notoriously bad, with one source describing it as follows: "The distance from the highway...is only 55 km. However, the trip will take two or three hours, and the track is suitable only for 4WDs with good clearance. Caravans will not survive the trip."
The best way to visit the site is to travel to Kununurra and take an organized tour that provides direct flights to Purnululu.
Geology of the Area
The Bungle Bungles are renowned for their unique, beehive-shaped towers. These towers were formed over 350-375 million years ago when sedimentary layers of pebbles, boulders, conglomerates, and sandstone were deposited in the Ord Basin. The distinct horizontal banding visible in the rocks is due to layers of cyanobacterial crust, black lichen, and orange silica.
Over millions of years, the layers were eroded by a combination of wind from the Tanami Desert and rainfall. The erosion process was more pronounced in some layers than others, resulting in the formation of beehive or bell-like shapes. Fault lines in the horizontal bedding led to the creation of massive gullies and caves. The sandstone is so delicate that it disintegrates upon touch. The area is a treasure trove of Aboriginal art, imposing gullies, and breathtaking caves.
There are two options for exploring the gorge: a moderate 7 km round trip hike to the entrance of the gorge or a longer 30 km round trip hike, which cannot be done in a day.
There is no marked track, and the Western Australian Parks and Wildlife website describes the walks as follows: "The 7 km round trip hike to the gorge entrance (the Elbow) takes an entire day. To explore the complete gorge system, which spans over 30 km, hikers must camp overnight. The trail is moderately easy up to the gorge entrance, but it becomes moderately difficult in the gorge itself, requiring hikers to navigate around fallen boulders, loose rocks, and along creek beds."
Cathedral Gorge Walk
The Picanninny Creek Car Park offers a relatively simple and short 3 km round trip hike that takes approximately 1-2 hours to complete. The hike leads to the stunning Cathedral Gorge, which is a sight to behold.
Beehive Domes Walk
The simplest hike in the park is a one-hour circuit around some of the famous beehive domes.
Echidna Chasm
The Echidna Chasm Walk is a moderately short 2 km hike that takes approximately one to two hours to complete. The hike passes through a narrow chasm that is 200 meters deep and is renowned for its Livistonia palms and stunning boulders formed by the unique conglomerate of rocks and sandstone found in the area. The trail is located 19 km north of the visitor centre, and from the Echidna Chasm Car Park, hikers can also reach Osmond Lookout, which offers breathtaking views across the Osmond Range.
Distance from Perth: 3,088 km NE of Perth
Founded: 1987