DAYS 70 - 72 - PURNULULU – BUNGLE BUNGLES

8-10 May 2008

DAYS 70 - 72 Pilbara – Kimberley Trip


PURNULULU – BUNGLE BUNGLES



We left the Great Northern Highway
For an interesting byway
To Purnululu Domes and Osmond Ranges
So tyre pressures went down in stages
To plod slowly along the 53 k track
As we bounce, shake and rattle on the windy track
And up and down and round we go.
Through dry creek beds and some that flow
That is the way we have to go



As tall sombre termite sentinels along the way
Silently watch as we go on our way
Till we are told to come to a stop
At the park ranger’s shop




Three days we walked
Or should I say we drove and walked
One kilometre loop around the domes we took
To see the banded sandstone was all it took



Then up short steep slopes some more striped domes
Over pebbles, past potholes, cliffs and honey comb stones
To whisper in awe and contemplate
Within nature’s great Cathedral dome




Echidna Chasm was a challenge and test
As past boulders we did scramble then rest
To reach the end just on noon
As the sun’s rays lit up the room



Then to Mini Palms we did go
Along pebbly track we had to go
Hard on the feet was the go
Where old Livistona Palms do grow







Piccaninny and Walanginjdji Lookouts we do go to see
As panoramic vistas open up for all to see
Spinifex covered ridges whilst termite sentinels keep watch from below
As the sun’s rays hit the escarpment and shadows grow below

To Piccaninny Gorge we did trek
Early in the morning to beat the heat, what the heck
With a bounce and spring in our step
Over the rocky pebbles in the sandy creek bed
As helicopters keep flying overhead
Past water pools as round the bends we trek
No more spring in our step as we return back
Dragging our feet as the heat hits our backs
Drinking more water to lighten the sack


What a wonderful place to be
World Heritage listed to preserve for all to see
A dramatic landscape with a soundscape to match
As dingos howl and cockatoos screech at the campsite patch
Three days and nights we did spend
Exploring the wonders at this end
Before hitting the road again
To bounce, shake and rattle till we hit the graded road again.



To put it into perspective, it took us 2 hours to drive the 53k to the Visitor’s centre. Just as we were deflating our tyres to tackle the road the graders arrived at the turn off.

So we knew we would have an ungraded road ahead. It wasn’t too bad – dippy, curvy, can’t see over the crests, corrugated in places, narrow, a bad bull dust spot and several creek crossings. After lunch we undertook the Dome walk, then the Cathedral Gorge Walk and finally a walk to Piccaninny Lookout close to sunset. They were great walks with spectacular rock formations and interesting geological features. We enjoyed it all. We spent the first night at Walardi campsite. The next morning we took a half an hour helicopter ride over the national park. It was really worth it as you would never have had a grasp of the size and diversity of the area.




We saw Piccaninny Gorge and its fingers, Red Gorge, a formation known as the Coalition that is the length and width of Uluru but half the height, and the stadium that is a circular rock formation with a flatish area in the centre that was used to hold up to 2,000 cattle.

We then drove to the other end of the park to go to Echidna Gorge and Mini Palms Gorge. The road was very badly corrugated. Echidna Gorge was a bit of a challenge to get to the end but we made it in time for when the sun was right above the chasm and lights up the rock face on both sides. We drove the short distance to Mini Palms Gorge over a sandy and pebbly track that did not change for walking into the gorge. It is a long hard walk into the gorge. Part of the way in you had to really scramble over huge boulders – you need long legs. By then my feet were playing up so I decided not to continue and stayed in a beautiful shady spot.

Hubby went the whole way.

We spent the night at Kurrajong campsite and met up again with Chris and family. We drove together in the Oka to Walanginjdji Lookout to view the sunset. On our return Min played the accordion whilst dinner was being prepared.

The next morning we made a very early start as I had decided to do the Piccaninny Creek Walk as far as we could go to the Elbow.

It is 7 km one way. We set off okay.

The scenery was interesting.


However after 5 km and 2 hours we decided to turn back as walking with your feet sideways on rocks was having a toll on my arthritic joints.

It took us a bit longer to get back as by the end I was uncomfortable walking but I did it and was very pleased. I paid for it the next few days.

We spent the night again at Walardi campsite as tomorrow morning we will leave Purnululu. It is a most interesting place. No wonder it is heritage listed.

As we sat around we noticed our tyre was a bit flat, then a bit flatter. So the tyre had to be changed. Out came the tools and tyres were changed. Then we relaxed with a glass of wine.

In the morning it took us 1½ hours to drive out from the visitor’s centre as part of the road had been graded.

We had a lovely time here. A magnificent place.