Bungle Bungles

This is one of the most captivating places either of us has ever been to.  No words, no photos can really give a sense of how it feels to be walking around in such an ancient and beautiful environment.  

The rock and sandstone formations have been dated at 360 mill. years old

Between the domes is the beautiful 'cathedral gorge' which is like a huge
amphitheatre with water in the middle

The domes are huge, mainly sandstone.  That's a helicopter above

Echidna Chasm was spectacular, almost like walking through
a series of caves but without the stalagmites/tites

It's quite an expedition to get to the Bungle Bungles and you'd only do it in a 4WD due to the corrugations and creek crossings.  Most were only puddles really, at this time of year, but the first one would have stopped most 2WD vehicles.  It's a 53km track in from the bitumen road, which took us a little over 2 hours to drive (they say 2-3 hrs).  It crosses a cattle station for most of the way, before becoming national park.  What a beautiful drive it was though, and a fun one too.  The road took us on all sorts of twists and turns, up and downhill, nothing hard, just scenic and interesting.  

We camped for 3 nights in the national park (real name is Purnululu), 2 at the northern end of the park and one at the southern.  There are no facilities other than long-drop toilets, it's very much bush camping - so peaceful.  And the stars!!  The camping areas are a good 15km from the ranges and domes of the Bungle Bungles; the Aboriginal 'owners', national parks and Mabel Downs Station seem to be working co-operatively to really care for the fragile environment.  Walking is strictly limited to the tracks that have been created to take visitors to the main features and best viewing areas.  However, you're definitely up close and personal with it all!

As you can tell, we were seriously impressed and thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. 

Tonight we returned to Kununurra and watched the sunset over the lake.  Believe it or not, we sat watching a crocodile making its way very stealthily towards a dead fish floating near the shore.  Just its eyes were visible above the water.  Apparently freshwater crocs are commonly seen in the lake - the local woman who pointed it out was standing knee deep in the water fishing.  We wouldn't take any chances on guessing whether it was a freshie or a salty though!

The croc's eyes can be seen in the photo, slightly to right and below centre