Andrew and Nikki around Oz: Bungle Bungle (note no s)

The mighty Bungle Bungle at last. Its Aboriginal title is Purnululu National Park. It is a 56 kms 4WD in to the Visitors Centre and then it is a matter of finding a campsite at either of the two bush campsites in the NP – expensive at $10 per person with only a single toilet (but very clean) and bore water (not potable). On top of that, one is required to purchase a monthly or an annual WA national parks pass, otherwise it is more expensive. Gone are the easy and inexpensive Qld and NT national parks.

But the scenery is just breathtaking. There are 6 major walks including the beehive domes, Cathedral Gorge, Echidna Chasm, Mini Palms Gorge, Piccaninny Creek walk and also several lookouts where the sunset is the thing to watch in particular with the reflection of the setting sun on the sandstone rock formations which make the Bungle Bungle so unique.

The various rock formations change colour all through the day as the sun progresses across the sky, from brown to red, orange and gold. With the unseasonably hot weather at the moment 35C, we choose to walk only early in the mornings. We set off at 6.00amish and walk until 9.00 am at the latest. Echidna Chasm is a little different because it is very cool in there not letting too much sun in.

The beehive domes with their layers of orange and grey bands are the characteristic ethereal rock formations of the Bungle Bungle. They form a maze of striped formations which soar up to 250 metres above the surrounding plains. The dark grey bands indicate the presence of cynobacteria that grows on the sandstone layers with higher clay levels and an ability to hold moisture, conducive to the growth of bacteria. The orange bands are evidence of sandstone with lower clay content and higher porosity which makes the stone dry out quicker and without the bacteria the sandstone surface is left bare and the stone oxides to form the rusty orange colour.