Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle), Kimberleys, WA

Sunday 17th June 2018
After camping at Bungle Bungle Caravan Park, checking in with everyone this morning, we started on the drive to Purnululu National Park. It was a 50km drive to the Visitors Centre which took about 2 hours. The roads were heavily corrugated, with sharp rocks, winding and slow. It was very rough on the car and the driver. At one stage we came up over the hill and were eyeballed by the most amazing bull. He looked so healthy and he was very large. Unfortunately he headed in to the bush before I could get a photo. At the Visitors Centre we registered for our overnight hike to Piccaninny Gorge, were told we had to hire an Eperb ($30 a day), their rules stated that our Sat Phone wasn’t enough. Oh well, so we did as requested. After reading the brochures when we got to the car, we decided we would register for 2 nights in the gorge just in case we wanted to stay in there longer. All set to go now.

We then headed to the north part of the Park, stopping on our way at the Kungkalanayi Lookout, then off to the northern most part, where we did the Echidna Chasm hike. The rocks were so high and were explained as conglomerates (see pic fro explanation). The best viewing time was 11am but unfortunately we didn’t make it till 1pm. Oh well, it was still quite spectacular.

After lunch we rode our bikes to the start of the Escarpment walk which was about 4km, left them at the start and did the Escarpment and Mini Palm Gorge trails. These were also amazing, high rocks along rocky creek bed some of the way, over boulders, up stairs, through narrow gaps and along a lovely path. All in all we walked 10km and rode 4km today.

We then headed to the south end of the park to Walardi Camp via the lookout for a quick sunset photo. The camp host is a single lady in her 60s who was very friendly. She is here for 2 months.

After diner we did a little preparation for the overnight hike we are starting tomorrow as it always takes longer than we expect and we would like to get an early start.

: After about an hours driving we reached the National Park

: We came across an abandoned trailer. Not sure if anything was broken or they just had enough towing it over the ruts, so decided to leave it and pick it up on the way back. Who knows.

: Magnificent view of the range from Kungkalanayi Lookout (a 1km return walk)

: David pointing to where I asked him to look for the photo at Kungkalanayi Lookout

: The carpark at the start of the Echidna Chasm walk. The rocks were very high.

: Walking in to the Chasm through the Livistona Palms across the rocky creek bed. A challenging part of the walk, it is a bit like walking in soft sand.

: Explanation about conglomerates and how they are formed.

: The chasm is very high, see how small David is in this photo.

: It was amazing walking through here. My neck was a little sore from looking up all the time.

: A little bit of rock climbing as well

: A little bit of assistance here with some steps. Watch out above, I hope that rock stays put.

: Walking through the narrow gaps, sometimes we had to take our back packs off and walk through sideways. Lucky we are not too big as it was squeeze even for us.

: The rocky surface was difficult to walk on. I prefer jumping from big rock to big rock as opposed to sinking in to the smaller rocks.

: At the end of the return walk in the Echidna Chasm. The conglomerate of rocks remind me of a ball of chocolate chip cookie dough

: The steep rock face as we walk to Osmand Lookout

: View of the valley from Osmand Lookout

: Walking down from Osmand Lookout. The rocks have a varied colour and shape

: Arriving at The Bloodwood carpark after riding on the bumpy, rocky dirt road. Some of the cars were inconsiderate as they passed us, not even slowing down so we were riding through a haze of dust. Others slowed down to a crawl. Lucky we didn’t pass too many cars.

: The start of the Escarpment trail was a well graded path

: I love reading the info plaques, just wish I could remember a bit more of what I read. Anyway, I love the info along the way.

: The rocks were different colours as we walked along the Escarpment trail

: Then we took a turn off to the Mini Palm Gorge trail which was back rock walking and scrambling..

: ..and was filled with more Livistona Palms.

: The Palms were very tall.

: Back on the Escarpment trail..

: ..which was a very easy walking trail, a nice change from the gorges of the Gibb River Rd

: The rock formations were really magnificent.

: The rocks at sunset were very beautiful on our way to Walardi Camp, which is our usual favourite type of camping in the National Park. Individual bays surrounded by bush. Love it.